Local zoning · Pomona

Pomona — Landscaping and Screening

Landscaping and Screening under the Pomona local zoning and planning code, with the controlling citations.

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Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the Pomona Zoning & Development Code requires for landscaping, screening, buffers, trees, fences, and walls on private development projects. It is drawn directly from the city’s Zoning & Development Code: the landscaping and screening package lives in Part 6 — Site, primarily Sec. 620 (and related measurement and planting rules in Part 12 and Part 13). See the rules for how landscaping interacts with parking, frontage, and design review in Pomona’s development framework. Parking and frontage rules affect where screens go and what type is allowed or required.

(For related topics, see the city pages for parking, design review, and ADUs later in this document.)

What the code requires — core rules and where they live

  • Frontage screens (trees + plantings with or without walls/fences) are regulated in § 620.C (Frontage Screens); the code defines multiple Screening Types I–V (depth, tree/shrub frequency, wall/fence height and opacity) and tells when each type is required (for parking areas, drive‑throughs, outdoor storage, loading, vehicle sales, etc.).

  • Transition buffers between abutting lots (common lot line buffers) are regulated in § 620.B (Transition Buffers) and include Buffer Types I–III (and larger types) with minimum depths, tree/shrub frequencies, wall heights and opacity requirements; buffers supersede ordinary fence height limits where taller walls are required.

  • Structural screens (trash/recycling enclosures, utility/mechanical screening, roof/wall‑mounted equipment) are covered in § 620.D and require opaque screening, minimum heights (e.g., trash enclosures screened by 6‑ft walls/gates), and minimum opacity for equipment screens.

  • Fence & wall standards (materials, location, maximum heights in side/rear/front yards by type, prohibited materials like scrap, chainlink in front yards, and measurement rules where grade or retaining walls complicate measurement) are in § 620.E. Where a buffer or screening standard requires taller walls, that requirement controls.

  • Planting standards (species, invasive plants prohibition, planter widths, tree spacing: e.g., parking & setback tree frequency, limits on artificial groundcover, minimum shrub sizes and spacing, root‑barrier and staking, and planter dimensions) are in § 620.F and related General Landscape Standards in the Appendix (Part 13). The code prohibits invasive species and artificial plants for required plantings and sets minimum planter widths and tree counts for parking areas, street setbacks and balance of site.

  • Rules for how to measure planting frequency, screen depth, and fence/wall height are specified under § 620 (measurement subsections) and cross‑reference § 1200 measurement rules (e.g., frequency and opacity definitions). Where measurements depend on grade or adjacent retaining walls, the code gives a specific measurement method.

  • The code requires that walls and fences (and their foundations) be located entirely on the site (no encroachment into easements), that trees for frontage screens are planted outside the fence toward the public realm, and that breaks for pedestrian/bike/vehicle access are minimized.

  • Maintenance: all walls/fences must be kept in good repair and vertical; required landscaping must be maintained. Encroachments of fences and hedges into setbacks are allowed up to the lot line by the encroachment rules, with frontage‑type exceptions.

Note: the code treats short‑term exceptions, design review, and development plan approvals as separate administrative processes; landscaping and screening specifications will be reviewed during Development Plan, Design Review, or ministerial permit processes as applicable.

Related internal Pomona pages referenced in this document (first natural mention of each is linked):

District-by-district breakdown (how landscaping & screening apply across Pomona districts)

The Zoning & Development Code uses named district brackets (e.g., RND, NED, UND, ACD, TOD, WD, SCD, PLD). Part 2 (Sec. 200) lists these districts and explains their purpose; Part 6 Site rules (including landscaping and screening) apply citywide to all zoning districts unless a Specific Plan or Overlay supersedes them.

Below are the district families used in Pomona and the landscaping/screening implications you must expect on projects in each one.

Residential Neighborhood Districts (RND)

  • Purpose: walkable, lower‑intensity housing up to 2.5 stories (single units, small multifamily). § 200.B.
  • Typical permitted uses: single‑unit homes, duplexes, small multifamily; limited accessory nonresidential uses. § 200.B.
  • Key dimensional/landscape expectations: modest frontage planting requirements (neighborhood frontage modules such as N1/N2 specify frontage planting area minimums and allowed frontage yard fence types that are applied in RNDs—see Frontage Modules) and side/rear buffer expectations where RND abuts higher‑intensity uses (apply Transition Buffers § 620.B as required). Verify frontage module (N1/N2) applied to your lot—this controls hedges/fence types and front planting area.

Neighborhood Edge Districts (NED)

  • Purpose: medium scale, up to 3 stories, transitions between higher intensity and residential neighborhoods. § 200.C.
  • Typical uses: mixed small commercial and residential; ground story flexible. § 200.C.
  • Key dimensional/landscape expectations: stronger frontage activation than RND in some subtypes; where parking or loading backs to a street or abuts residential lots, Frontage Screens § 620.C and Transition Buffers § 620.B will specify Screening/Buffer Types (I–V) and tree/shrub counts. Check which NED variation (NED1–NED5) applies: each variation references a Form + Frontage + Use module that sets the specifics.

Urban Neighborhood Districts (UND)

  • Purpose: moderately scaled multiunit housing up to 4 stories; encourages vertical mix of uses. § 200.D.
  • Typical uses: higher‑density multifamily, office, some commercial. § 200.D.
  • Key dimensional/landscape expectations: higher tree and frontage planting minimums in Multi‑Unit frontage modules (e.g., MU1 frontages specify frontage planting area percentages and frontage fence types), plus parking‑lot shade tree counts (see Planting Standards and Parking Lot rules). For mechanical screening and trash enclosures (common on multiunit sites) follow § 620.D Structural Screens and § 620.E fence design rules.

Activity Center Districts (ACD) and Transit‑Oriented Districts (TOD)

  • Purpose: larger, pedestrian‑oriented mixed‑use centers (ACD up to 6 stories; TODs centered on transit). § 200.E / § 200.F.
  • Typical uses: retail, offices, dense multifamily, transit‑related uses.
  • Key landscape implications: expect stricter frontage activation requirements blended with required planting (street trees, frontage planting area minimums) and more frequent application of Screening Types for vehicle use areas facing public streets. Transit districts often have specific frontage modules that require active frontages plus planting percentages; buffers will apply where higher‑intensity uses abut residential districts.

Workplace Districts (WD)

  • Purpose: light industrial, office, and campus‑style employment uses. § 200.G.
  • Typical uses: offices, flex industrial; vehicle circulation and outdoor storage are more common.
  • Key landscape implications: when vehicle use areas, outdoor storage or loading face a street or abut residential lots, Screening Type III and Buffer Type II/III will commonly be required; fences and walls in these districts may use the more secure Fence Type VII for industrial side/rear yards (see § 620.E).

Special Campus Districts (SCD)

  • Purpose: campus‑scale uses (e.g., Cal Poly Pomona, Civic Center). § 200.H.
  • Landscape implications: campus plans and Specific Plans may set their own rules in place of the base code; where the campus plan is silent, Part 6 site rules (including § 620) apply. Expect coordinated tree palettes and stronger tree‑preservation/placement rules.

Parkland Districts (PLD)

  • Purpose: parks and open space. § 200.I.
  • Landscape implications: PLD emphasizes large‑scale planting, preservation of existing trees, and native/drought‑tolerant palettes; the planting standards and oak preservation rules (Part 13) are particularly relevant.

Quick Standards table (decision‑relevant items)

Standard / Use Typical minimum Where the code says so (Code Reference)
Screening types for street‑facing motor vehicle uses (Type I–V) Depths from 7'–30'; tree/shrub frequencies scale with depth; walls optional or required depending on type § 620.C (Frontage Screens)
Transition buffers between lots (Type I–III etc.) Depth 7'–30', wall heights 6'–8' where required, min opacity 90% for tall walls § 620.B (Transition Buffers)
Trash/recycle enclosures Screened on three sides by wall/fence min 6 ft, access gate min 6 ft § 620.D (Structural Screens)
Fence & wall max side/rear height (typical) 6 ft (typical side/rear); special screening areas may allow up to 10 ft § 620.E (Fence & Wall Standards)
Parking lot trees 1 tree per 5 spaces (minimum) General Landscape Standards / Appendix (Part 13) and § 620.F references
Street/setback trees 1 per 20 ft (street setbacks) Appendix General Landscape Standards (Part 13)
Planter width for 24" box trees min 5 ft clear (not including curb or wall) Appendix General Landscape Standards (Part 13)

(These numeric minimums come from the landscape/planting and buffer/screening packages in Part 6 and the Appendix; always confirm the exact screening type assigned to your frontage or buffer condition because frequencies and depths depend on the chosen Type.)

Checklist — what an applicant must prepare for landscaping & screening review

  • Show which Screening Type or Buffer Type applies to each frontage, street lot line, and common lot line, and provide dimensions (depth, wall height, setback). Reference § 620.B / § 620.C.
  • Provide a planting plan that meets § 620.F standards: tree counts (parking, street, balance of site), shrub spacing, planter widths (min 5 ft for 24" box trees), root barriers if trees are within 5 ft of structures, and species selections avoiding invasives.
  • Show materials and details for walls/fences consistent with § 620.E (materials allowed/disallowed, finished side out, max heights, measurement with grade/retaining walls).
  • Trash/recycle and roof/wall equipment screening details: walls/gates min 6 ft and opacity for mechanical/equipment screening per § 620.D.
  • Confirm no required drainage or utility easement is being obstructed by proposed walls or planting and place walls/fence foundations entirely on site (no easement encroachment). § 620.E and encroachment rules apply.
  • Submit maintenance plan and irrigation strategy (drought‑tolerant species required for required landscaped areas) as required by § 620.F and appendix standards.

If the project requires Design Review or a Development Plan, include the landscaping and screening drawings in those submittals; landscaping is a specific item for review under Pomona’s Design Review/Development Plan standards.

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue Why it matters What to verify
Which screening or buffer Type applies to a given frontage or common lot line Different Types have widely differing depths, tree/shrub frequencies, and wall heights; mis‑assigning a Type changes required plant counts and walls Confirm the applicable trigger (motor vehicle use, outdoor storage, abutting residential within 50 ft) and cite § 620.B / § 620.C on plan submittal; verify on‑site with the city planner.
Tree species & historic tree protections Historic or protected oaks and specimen trees have separate permit rules and replacement ratios Check Part 13 oak/specimen tree rules and Historic District rules; oak removals may require Major/Minor Oak Tree Permits.
Walls/foundations located near easements or across lot lines City prohibits walls in drainage/utility easements and requires walls entirely on site Confirm easements on the property title and clarify setbacks; cite § 620.E and encroachment rules.
Measurement where grade or retaining walls vary Fence/wall height is measured differently when grade differs or when adjacent to retaining walls Verify measurement method per § 620.E measurement rules and show section details on drawings.
Overlays/Specific Plans that change requirements A Specific Plan or Overlay can supersede the base district or add additional planting/screening rules Check whether the lot is inside a Specific Plan or Overlay (Part 8) and follow those standards first; where silent, Part 6 applies.

Plain-English Summary

Pomona’s zoning code requires you to plant, fence, or wall certain edges of your property so streets and neighbors are screened from parking, storage, and industrial activity; the code assigns a short list of “screen” and “buffer” Types with minimum depth, tree/shrub counts, and wall height/opacity rules, plus citywide planting standards (planter widths, tree spacing, no invasives). Show the required screening on your site plan (trees outside walls toward the street, walls on site) and follow the fence/wall material and measurement rules — the controlling rules are found in § 620 and the landscape Appendix.

Source References

  • Pomona Zoning & Development Code, Part 6 — Site, Sec. 620 (Landscaping and Screening: Frontage Screens, Transition Buffers, Structural Screens, Fence & Wall Standards, Planting Standards) — § 620.C / § 620.B / § 620.D / § 620.E / § 620.F.
  • Part 13 Appendix — General Landscape Standards (planter widths, tree counts, parking lot tree frequency, shrub sizes) — Appendix pages and planting specifics.
  • Part 2 — Summary of Zoning Districts (district names, RND/NED/UND/ACD/TOD/WD/SCD/PLD descriptions) — § 200 and subsections § 200.B / § 200.C / § 200.D / § 200.E.
  • Measurement and encroachment provisions (how fence height is measured next to retaining walls, requirements that walls be located entirely on site) — § 620.E measurement rules and Part 12 encroachment definitions.
  • Development Plan / Design Review procedures and the list of review items that include landscaping, walls and fences — Development Plan rules (Part 11).

If you need the full text of any subsection cited above, request the PDF/page number and I will pull the exact textual excerpt for you.

Sources

Retrieved passages

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  • Pomona Zoning Code (section must) Medium relevance
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  • CWUIC § 65850.6 (Title 24) Medium relevance
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  • CWUIC § 1276.01 (Chapter 5._) Medium relevance
  • Pomona Zoning Code Medium relevance

Cited sections

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a frontage screen and a transition buffer in Pomona?

A frontage screen (see § 620.C) applies along street or alley lot lines to shield the public realm from motor vehicle use areas and outdoor storage; Screening Types I–V define depth, tree/shrub frequency and whether a wall/fence is required. A transition buffer (see § 620.B) applies to common lot lines between properties to protect abutting lots and establishes Buffer Types I–III with their own depths, plantings, and wall requirements. Determine which applies by the location of the activity (street vs. common lot line) and the use (parking, loading, outdoor storage).

How tall can my backyard fence be in Pomona?

Side/rear yard fence heights are regulated by the Fence & Wall standards in § 620.E — typical side/rear yard maximum is 6 ft, but where a screening or buffer standard requires a taller screen (for example, near industrial uses) that taller height can apply. Measurement rules for differing grades and retaining walls are in the same section. Verify the fence Type applied to your lot.

Do I have to plant trees along my parking lot, and how many?

Yes — parking lot landscaping minimums come from the planting standards and parking rules: one tree per five parking spaces is the general minimum; street setback trees and “balance of site” tree counts are separately specified in the Appendix/Planting Standards. Use these counts when preparing your landscape plan.

Where must walls and fences be located relative to my lot line?

Walls and fences (including footings/foundations) must be located entirely on the site and may not be inside a required drainage or utility easement; the finished side must face outward. Some frontage yard fences are allowed to encroach to the lot line per encroachment rules, but always check for easements first. See § 620.E and the encroachment rules in Part 12.

If my commercial site has a trash enclosure, what screening is required?

Outdoor trash/recycling enclosures for new or modified nonresidential construction must be screened on three sides by a wall or fence minimum 6 ft tall and have an access gate on the fourth side, also minimum 6 ft; the screen must meet the measurement/opacity standards in § 620.D.

Are invasive or artificial plants allowed to satisfy required landscaping?

No. Invasive species are prohibited (the code references the California Invasive Plant Inventory), and artificial plants/groundcover are not allowed in required planting areas; required planting should be predominantly drought‑tolerant. See § 620.F and the Appendix planting standards.

Does a Specific Plan or Overlay ever change the screening rules?

Yes. Specific Plans and Overlay Districts can establish their own standards; where they are silent, the base code (Part 6) applies. Always check whether your property is inside a Specific Plan or Overlay. See Part 8 (Specific Plans / Overlay Districts) and § 810 / § 820.

Do I have to show irrigation and a maintenance plan for required landscaping?

Yes. The code expects submitted landscape plans to show irrigation and a maintenance approach (drought‑tolerant palettes and irrigation are required for required landscape areas); see § 620.F and the Appendix landscape standards.

What happens if my property has a protected oak tree?

Oak trees meeting the code’s diameter criteria are subject to the Oak Tree Preservation rules (Part 13). Removal or significant pruning typically requires an Oak Tree Permit (Minor or Major) and mitigation (replacement tree ratios or in‑lieu fees). See Part 13 oak preservation rules.

Will design review look at my landscaping and fences?

Yes. Development Plan and Design Review authority explicitly includes review of landscaping, walls and fences; landscaping is a review item in Development Plan/Design Review submittals. Include full landscape, fencing and screening details with your design submittal.

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