Rancho Cucamonga — Landscaping and Screening

Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what Rancho Cucamonga's Development Code (Title 17) requires for landscaping, screening, buffers, fences, walls, and trees for new and altered development. It is drawn from the city's Landscaping Standards (Chapter 17.56), the Fences/Walls/Screening rules (Chapter 17.48), Tree Preservation (Chapter 17.80), and related development-standards and zone chapters; each requirement below is grounded in the ordinance and cited to the controlling §. For how landscaping interacts with entitlement procedures see the city's zoning & planning overview and the zoning, and consult the development standards for dimensional rules that affect where landscape is required.

Chapter-level highlights: landscaping plan submittal and review is mandatory where the chapter applies (see § 17.56.030 and § 17.56.040) and general planting, water-efficiency, screening, and maintenance standards are in § 17.56.050–090. Screening of outdoor equipment is tied into chapter 17.48 (Fences, Walls, and Screening) and tree protection is covered in Chapter 17.80.

Key city standards (synthesized)

• Landscape plans. Where the chapter applies, applicants must submit a preliminary and then a final landscape and irrigation plan; final plans must be prepared by a registered landscape architect and include a water budget and exact plant sizes/locations before building permits are issued (see § 17.56.030 and § 17.56.040).

• Plant palette and fire/drought rules. Plants must be climate-appropriate, drought-tolerant, non-invasive, and fire-resistant in wildland-urban interface areas; invasive species listed by Cal‑IPC and flammable mulches cannot be used toward required landscaped area credits (§ 17.56.050.F, § 17.56.050.4).

• Minimum sizes and spacing. Trees and shrubs used to meet requirements have specific minimum container sizes (trees commonly 15‑gallon baseline with a percentage at 24‑inch box; shrubs generally 5‑gallon; see § 17.56.050.K and § 17.56.060(L)).

• Parking-lot landscape. For parking lots with five or more spaces, install one tree per three parking stalls; parking lots must be at least 10% landscaped and provide perimeter planters, planting islands and shade trees per § 17.56.050.L and related subsections. Exceptions exist where photovoltaic shade structures are provided.

• Buffers between uses. Where residential and nonresidential uses abut (and between single‑family and multi‑family of 3+ units), a minimum 10‑foot wide planter with shrubs and both deciduous and evergreen trees (max 30 ft on center) is required (§ 17.56.060.I).

• Screening of equipment/refuse/loading. Outdoor equipment, loading docks, refuse enclosures and utility equipment must be screened by walls, fences, or combined landscape/wall solutions per Chapter 17.48 and the landscaping standards (see § 17.56.060.E referencing 17.48; for specific equipment-screen options see detailed screening options). Chain-link without slats is prohibited for many security applications; screening walls should match building materials when feasible.

• Walls and fences (residential). Maximum fence/wall heights in required yards are set in TABLE 17.48.050‑1 (e.g., front yard 3 ft normally or up to 6 ft where top 3 ft is 90% open; rear and interior side yard up to 6 ft; corner side yard setback and 6 ft max) — see § 17.48.050. The approving authority can allow adjustments during discretionary review.

• Parkway (parkstrip) obligations. Property owners are responsible to plant and maintain the area between curb and sidewalk unless in a Landscape Maintenance District; allowable and prohibited materials are listed (e.g., low water plants allowed; concrete, large rocks and impermeable materials prohibited) (§ 17.56.090).

• Tree preservation & replacement. Heritage/protected tree removal and replacement are controlled in Chapter 17.80; replacement sizes and policies are specified and tree removal often requires an arborist report (§ 17.56.080 and Chapter 17.80).

• Maintenance/ongoing obligations. Approved landscape must be installed prior to occupancy for new development; landscaping must be maintained in healthy condition, with dead/diseased material replaced within 30 days in multi‑family developments (§ 17.56.040.3, § 17.68.050.B, § 17.56.080.A).

(For how landscaping interacts with project review see the city's Minor and Major design review procedures.)

District-by-district practical breakdown

The Development Code organizes zones into base zones and overlays (Table 17.26.020‑1). Below are the most decision‑relevant base-zone categories with landscaping/screening highlights and where those rules are enforced.

• Low Residential — L

  • Purpose & typical uses: single‑family detached neighborhoods (see Table 17.26.020‑1).
  • Landscaping & screening basics: parkway (curb‑to‑sidewalk) landscapes are owner‑maintained and must follow low‑water material rules; residential trees required by the residential trees table (Table 17.56.070‑3) — number and percent‑by‑box size vary by residential density (LM, M, MH, H) (§ 17.56.090, Table 17.56.070‑3).
  • Fences & walls: residential fence heights and corner side yard setback rules apply (see § 17.48.050 table).
  • Where it applies: single‑family neighborhoods citywide; see development‑standards tables in Chapter 17.36 for setbacks and lot coverage that determine where landscape must be placed.

• Medium / Multi‑Family — LM, M, MH, H

  • Purpose & typical uses: medium‑ to high‑density multi‑family residential.
  • Landscaping & screening basics: higher tree‑per‑acre requirements (see Table 17.56.070‑3) and minimum planter widths for interior property line trees (one tree per 30 linear feet in a planter at least six feet wide) (§ 17.56.060.J, Table 17.56.070‑3). Multi‑family sites also have parking‑lot landscape and screening expectations (trees in parking, screening of outdoor storage/refuse per Chapter 17.56 and 17.48).

• Form‑Based / Mixed‑Use (e.g., CE2, CO1, CO2, ME2)

  • Purpose & typical uses: mixed‑use corridors and centers emphasizing frontage, pedestrian environment and structured urban form.
  • Landscaping & screening basics: street trees and parkway planting are required; structured parking must be screened (trellis/living wall or decorative screening) and frontages near sidewalks require landscaping distinctions to separate plazas from public sidewalks (§ 17.56.050, other form‑based standards). Perimeter walls/gates are restricted in form‑based zones (connectivity required) — see § 17.48 form‑based provisions.
  • Where it applies: corridor and center form‑based districts shown on the zoning map; consult Table 17.128.020‑1 for specific subzones.

• Industrial Zones (Neo‑Industrial NI, Industrial Employment IE, etc.)

  • Purpose & typical uses: manufacturing, logistics, employment.
  • Landscaping & screening basics: front and exterior side yard setbacks along public rights‑of‑way must be landscaped; industrial tree minimum sizes and spacing rules apply (a percentage of trees at 24‑inch box size; larger projects may require 36‑inch boxes) and outdoor storage/screen walls are tightly regulated (max screen/wall heights, required materials, and architectural integration) (§ 17.56.050.B.1, § 17.56.050.K‑L, industrial subsection of 17.48).
  • Typical screening features: decorative CMU/stucco walls, masonry, or planted continuous screens; chain‑link is prohibited for many screening uses.

• Open Space — OS

  • Purpose & typical uses: conservation, trails, passive recreation.
  • Landscaping & screening basics: projects in these zones must include landscaping, erosion control and screening as needed; planning director may require additional measures for public safety or resource protection (§ 17.36 / open space sub‑section).

• Overlay Zones (e.g., SH Senior Housing Overlay)

  • Purpose & typical uses: overlays modify base zone rules; where applied they can change what landscape/screening is required or permitted. Always check overlay text (Table 17.26.020‑1 and overlay chapters) because overlay provisions override base‑zone rules (§ 17.26.020). For example, some overlays may modify setbacks or open‑space design which changes landscape locations.

If you are working on a specific parcel, confirm the parcel’s base zone and overlays on the city’s zoning map (Table 17.26.020‑1) and then apply Chapter 17.56 plus the relevant base‑zone development standards in Chapter 17.36.

Quick decision table (most used standards)

Checklist

• Confirm parcel base zone and overlays (Table 17.26.020‑1) and applicable development‑standards in Chapter 17.36.
• Determine if Chapter 17.56 applies (all new & many altered developments) and prepare preliminary landscape and irrigation plan showing water budget (gallons), irrigated area, plant list, sizes and conceptual layout — see § 17.56.030.A.
• Submit final landscape plan prepared by a registered landscape architect consistent with preliminary approval prior to building permits (§ 17.56.030.B–§ 17.56.040).
• For parking, size plant wells and count trees per one‑tree‑per‑three‑stalls rule and meet 10% landscaping area minimum (§ 17.56.050.L).
• Provide buffers where residential adjoins nonresidential (10‑ft planter with trees/shrubs, trees max 30 ft on center) (§ 17.56.060.I).
• Comply with tree preservation rules and secure tree removal approvals if required (Chapter 17.80 and § 17.56.080).
• Design any screening for equipment/refuse per Chapter 17.48 options and clearance rules; if using landscape-only screening, verify it is acceptable to the planning director (§ 17.56.060.E and Chapter 17.48).

Tip: coordinate landscape plan approval with your project’s design review timeline so approvals and conditions are consistent.

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain‑English summary

You will almost always need a city‑approved landscape and irrigation plan for new development or significant changes; the code sets minimum plant sizes, tree counts, parking lot shade/tree ratios, buffer widths between uses, and specific fence/wall height rules. Trees must be noninvasive and, in fire‑risk areas, fire‑resistant species are required; screening of equipment and refuse must use approved walls, fences or combined landscape/wall solutions. Always check the parcel’s base zone and any overlays, submit the required landscape plans before permits, and coordinate with design review.

Source References

• Development Code (Title 17) — Chapter 17.56 Landscaping Standards, including § 17.56.010–§ 17.56.100 (purpose, applicability, plan submittal, general standards, special requirements, removal/replacement, parkway) — § 17.56.010; § 17.56.020; § 17.56.030; § 17.56.040; § 17.56.050; § 17.56.060; § 17.56.080; § 17.56.090.
• Fences, Walls and Screening — § 17.48.050 and TABLE 17.48.050‑1 (maximum fence/wall heights in required yards; screening requirements and notes).
• Parking and parking‑lot landscape standards (parking lot tree rates, 10% landscaped area, perimeter planter widths) — § 17.56.050.L and related subsections.
• Industrial zone landscaping/screening rules (frontage landscaping, 24‑inch box tree minimums for screening from I‑15, prohibition of chain‑link for screening) — Industrial development standards and landscaping subsections.
• Tree Preservation (Chapter 17.80) and tree replacement policy — Chapter 17.80; § 17.80.010; § 17.80.040.
• Zone lists, base zones & overlays (Table 17.26.020‑1, zone purpose descriptions) — § 17.26.020 (Zones established) and related tables.

Related city pages to consult during project planning: see the city’s zoning & planning overview, zoning, land use, development standards, parking, design review, and overlay districts. For ADU questions consult the local ADUs rules and the California Building Standards Code where building permits apply.

Retrieved passages

• Rancho Cucamonga Zoning Code High relevance show source text
• California Wildland-Urban Interface Code High relevance show source text
• CWUIC § 17.56.060 (§ 17.56.060.) High relevance show source text
• California Wildland-Urban Interface Code High relevance show source text
• Rancho Cucamonga Zoning Code (§ 4) High relevance show source text
• CWUIC § 4 (§ 4) High relevance show source text
• Rancho Cucamonga Zoning Code High relevance show source text
• Rancho Cucamonga Zoning Code (§ 4) High relevance show source text
• CWUIC § 4 (§ 4) High relevance show source text
• Rancho Cucamonga Zoning Code (§ 17.34.020.) High relevance show source text
• Rancho Cucamonga Zoning Code (section 17.140) High relevance show source text
• Rancho Cucamonga Zoning Code (section 17.140) Medium relevance show source text
• Rancho Cucamonga Zoning Code (§ 4) Medium relevance show source text
• Rancho Cucamonga Zoning Code (§ 4) Medium relevance show source text
• Rancho Cucamonga Zoning Code (section 17.36.050) Medium relevance show source text
• Rancho Cucamonga Zoning Code High relevance show source text
• Rancho Cucamonga Zoning Code (section 17.56.060) Medium relevance show source text
• CWUIC § 200 Medium relevance show source text
• Rancho Cucamonga Zoning Code (§ 4) Medium relevance show source text
• Rancho Cucamonga Zoning Code (§ 4) Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Development Code (Title 17) — Chapter **17.56** Landscaping Standards, including **§ 17.56.010–§ 17.56.100** (purpose, applicability, plan submittal, general standards, special requirements, removal/replacement, parkway) — § 17.56.010; § 17.56.020; § 17.56.030; § 17.56.040; § 17.56.050; § 17.56.060; § 17.56.080; § 17.56.090. (Title 17)
• Fences, Walls and Screening — **§ 17.48.050** and **TABLE 17.48.050‑1** (maximum fence/wall heights in required yards; screening requirements and notes). (§ 17.48.050)
• Parking and parking‑lot landscape standards (parking lot tree rates, 10% landscaped area, perimeter planter widths) — **§ 17.56.050.L** and related subsections. (§ 17.56.050.L)
• Industrial zone landscaping/screening rules (frontage landscaping, 24‑inch box tree minimums for screening from I‑15, prohibition of chain‑link for screening) — Industrial development standards and landscaping subsections.
• Tree Preservation (Chapter **17.80**) and tree replacement policy — Chapter 17.80; § 17.80.010; § 17.80.040. (Chapter 17.80)
• Zone lists, base zones & overlays (Table **17.26.020‑1**, zone purpose descriptions) — § 17.26.020 (Zones established) and related tables. (§ 17.26.020)
• RanchoCucamonga_ZoningCode.md

• Official Rancho Cucamonga code library