Local zoning · Redwood City

Redwood City — Landscaping and Screening

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

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Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the Redwood City Zoning Ordinance requires for landscaping, screening, street trees, parkways, fences/walls, and screening of service/mechanical areas — with the specific code sections that control each rule and practical guidance for applicants. The city's landscaping rules require a formal landscape plan, permanent pervious/landscaped setbacks in many districts, street tree spacing, stormwater treatment via landscaping, and limits on fence types and front‑yard fence heights. See the city's zoning rules for overall context and map of zones at Redwood City Zoning & planning overview and the specific zoning map at Redwood City Zoning.

Key takeaways (quick)

  • A landscape plan is required for development: see § 54.5.
  • Street trees are required and must meet spacing/clearance rules: see § 53.5.
  • Minimum pervious/landscaped area percentages are district‑specific (examples: § 8.9, § 9.9, § 17A.4, § 23.11).
  • Front‑yard fence heights and prohibited fence materials are controlled by Article 36 and district provisions (see § 36.6 and the district subsections such as § 53.5).
  • Screening of mechanical equipment, trash, loading and service areas is required and must be integrated with architecture or landscaping: see § 54.6 and Article 36.

(When the page mentions related planning topics, it links to relevant GoCodebook pages for quick navigation: parking, setbacks/development standards, design review, overlays, ADUs, and the state building code.)

How the ordinance frames landscaping and screening (what the law requires)

  • Landscape purpose and plan submittal — The ordinance states landscaping must improve appearance, pedestrian comfort, shading, water conservation, and screen incompatible uses; a landscape plan must be submitted with development applications. See § 54.5 for the detailed list of landscape plan content and objectives.
  • Location / setbacks / zero‑lot line — All setback areas and other open areas not occupied by buildings or sidewalk must be landscaped; where a front setback is zero, street trees are required (zero‑lot line landscaping). See § 54.5 and § 32.12 (stormwater / pervious surface cross‑references).
  • Street trees and sidewalk clearance — Street trees are required along public streets, with spacing typically between 20–40 feet and minimum clear sidewalk width provisions (at least 8 ft of unobstructed sidewalk). See § 53.5.
  • Stormwater treatment / pervious area — New development must maximize on‑site stormwater treatment with landscaping and permeable materials; several districts set minimum pervious area percentages and front‑yard pervious requirements (see district subsections below and § 32.12 / Municipal Code Chapter 27A referenced in multiple provisions).
  • Walls, fences, and prohibited materials — Article 36 governs fences/walls; many district sections reiterate that chain‑link, barbed‑wire, razor‑wire, and corrugated metal fencing are prohibited and frontline fence heights are limited (see § 36.6 and district text).
  • Screening of mechanical/service areas and trash enclosures — Surface‑mounted equipment, generators, transformers, loading docks and trash enclosures must be screened by walls/landscape enclosures designed to match building architecture; rooftop equipment must be screened and set back from roof edges. See § 54.6 and Article 36 cross‑references.

You may need to coordinate landscaping with the project's parking layout (see Redwood City Parking) and comply with the city's Development Standards for setbacks/open space (see Redwood City Development Standards). If the project has design‑sensitive public frontage it will likely go through design review (see Redwood City Design Review). Landscape and screening solutions may also be affected by any Overlay District rules (see Redwood City Overlay Districts).

District‑by‑district breakdown (landscaping & screening aspects)

Below are the districts for which landscaping / screening rules appear in the retrieved zoning materials. Each subsection gives the ordinance purpose, typical uses, and the landscaping/screening provisions that matter for applicants. If a required detail was not in the retrieved materials, the text says so and flags "Verify with the jurisdiction."

R-3 (MULTI-FAMILY — MEDIUM DENSITY)

  • Purpose / typical uses: Multi‑family residential. See Article 8 headings.
  • Key landscaping/screening standards:
    • Minimum pervious area: 20% of each lot, and 60% of the front yard must be pervious (landscape, vegetated open space or permeable materials). See § 8.9.
    • Setbacks and landscaped setbacks: Front/side/rear setbacks apply to main buildings; required setback areas must be landscaped (see § 8.7 and the general landscaping rules in § 54.5).
    • Front yard fences/walls: Districts refer applicants to Article 36 for fence rules; front yard fence height guidance appears in the district text (verify with the City). Not all fence height specifics for R‑3 are in the retrieved materials — Verify with the jurisdiction.
  • Where it applies: Article 8 / R‑3 zone map. See Redwood City Zoning.

R-4 (MULTI-FAMILY — MEDIUM DENSITY) and R-5 (MULTI-FAMILY — HIGH DENSITY)

  • Purpose / typical uses: Multi‑family residential (Article 9 and Article 10).
  • Key landscaping/screening standards:
    • R-4 minimum pervious area: 20% of each lot, and 60% of the front yard per § 9.9. See § 9.9.
    • Other landscaping obligations (landscape plan, landscaped setbacks, walk‑up residential privacy hedges/low walls) reference general rules in § 54.5 and Article 36 for fences.
    • R‑5 specific pervious percentages or front yard fence rules were Not found in retrieved materials — Verify with the jurisdiction.

LII (LIGHT INDUSTRIAL — INCUBATOR DISTRICT)

  • Purpose / typical uses: Light industrial/incubator uses, small manufacturing and core light industry uses appropriate to the district. See § 17A.3 and Table 17A‑3.
  • Key landscaping/screening standards:
    • Front yard landscaping required: Minimum front yard setbacks must be permanently landscaped; front/side yard areas adjacent to streets must be landscaped (Table 17A‑3 / § 17A.3).
    • Trash and refuse enclosures: Must be enclosed by a solid hedge or tight fence no lower than the facility itself (§ 17A.3(B)(2)).
    • Screening of outdoor equipment: Outdoor equipment must be screened by structure or landscaping (see § 17A.3(B)(3)).
    • Minimum pervious area / stormwater: Table/section requiring minimum pervious area and reference to § 32.12 for stormwater (see § 17A.4).

IR (INDUSTRIAL — RESTRICTED)

  • Purpose / typical uses: Restricted industrial uses; Article 17 contains standards and a specific minimum pervious area clause.
  • Key landscaping/screening standards:
    • Minimum pervious area / stormwater: § 17.11 (Article 17 lists a pervious requirement; see Article 17 table of contents and § 17.11).
    • Many industrial uses must locate noise/odorous operations inside buildings; where outdoor equipment exists it must be screened. See Article 17 provisions.

PF (PUBLIC / QUASI‑PUBLIC)

  • Purpose / typical uses: Public and quasi‑public buildings and uses. See Article 23.
  • Key landscaping/screening standards:
    • Pervious area: Minimum 20% pervious area of each lot (see § 23.11).
    • Yard/open space and other landscaping expectations follow the general landscaping rules in § 54.5 and Article 36 provisions for fences, screening and equipment enclosures.

Downtown / Article 54 (center / mixed‑use frontages)

  • Purpose / typical uses: Downtown/mixed‑use street‑fronting development with special sidewalk, street tree, and public realm requirements. Article 54 contains the Downtown pedestrian/streetscape rules.
  • Key landscaping/screening standards:
    • Landscape plan requirement and landscape design objectives (same as general but tailored to the downtown context) — see § 54.5 for the downtown landscape plan and § 54.6 for parking/parking integration and screening of mechanical equipment.
    • Street trees and sidewalks: Strict street tree spacing and minimum sidewalk widths, including allowance for street tree encroachment on sidewalk provided 8 ft of clear width is maintained (see § 53.5).
    • Front yard fence heights / prohibited fencing: District text indicates front yard fences at grade are limited to 3 ft and above‑grade front fences to 42 inches where private open space occurs, and certain fencing materials are prohibited — see district language tied back to Article 36 (§ 53.5 and Article 36 cross‑refs).

Decision‑relevant standards (quick reference table)

Requirement / Topic Typical Rule Code Reference
Landscape plan required (content & objectives) Required with development applications; must address function, location, scale, irrigation, stormwater treatment, pedestrian environment § 54.5
Street trees (spacing & sidewalk clearance) Spacing typically 20–40 ft; minimum 8 ft clear sidewalk width when trees encroach § 53.5
Front‑yard fence height (at grade) Maximum 3 ft (districts reference Article 36 for details) Article 36 & district text (see § 53.5, § 36.6)
Prohibited fence materials Chain‑link, barbed‑wire, razor‑wire, corrugated metal not permitted Article 36 and district text (see § 36.6)
Minimum pervious area (examples) R‑3: 20% lot, 60% front yard (§ 8.9). R‑4: 20% lot, 60% front (§ 9.9). PF: 20% lot (§ 23.11). LII: See § 17A.4. § 8.9, § 9.9, § 23.11, § 17A.4
Screening of mechanical equipment / trash / service areas Must be screened with solid walls, fences, or sufficient landscaping; rooftop equipment must be screened architecturally; trash/recycling enclosures must be screened § 54.6 and Article 36
Stormwater treatment via landscaping New development must maximize onsite stormwater management; see § 32.12 and Municipal Code Chapter 27A § 32.12; Municipal Code Ch. 27A (referenced in § 54.6)

Practical guidance for applicants (plain‑English tips)

  • Treat landscaping as part of the architecture: produce a complete landscape plan (planting list, irrigation, tree species and spacing, stormwater/permeable areas) — the ordinance expects integration with building and parking layout (§ 54.5).
  • Plan street trees early: spacing, species selection and setback from entrances are regulated; confirm exact street tree plan with the review authority to avoid conflicts with sidewalks, utilities and clearwalk requirements (§ 53.5).
  • Design screening early for rooftop and ground‑mounted equipment: architectural screens or solid enclosure plus landscaping are required and are evaluated during review (§ 54.6, Article 36).
  • Where project proposes less than the district pervious requirement or different fence/wall solutions, expect to need a variance or to demonstrate compliance with stormwater/permeability standards (see district pervious area rules such as § 8.9, § 9.9, § 17A.4).

Link your parking landscaping proposals to Redwood City Parking rules and be ready to show how landscape features satisfy the city's Development Standards and (if applicable) Design Review guidelines. For ADU landscaping interactions check Redwood City ADUs. For building‑code requirements such as fire separation or noncombustible zone design, consult the California Building Standards Code / Title 24 (see that link).

Checklist

  • Submit a complete landscape plan with the development application that shows plant palette, irrigation, pedestrian landscaping, and stormwater measures (§ 54.5).
  • Show street tree locations, species, and spacing (comply with § 53.5 minimum spacing/clear path).
  • Show pervious area calculation for the lot and front yard to meet the district minimums (e.g., § 8.9, § 9.9, § 17A.4, § 23.11).
  • If proposing fences/walls in the front yard, show height and materials to confirm compliance with Article 36 and district rules (front yard fence height guidance appears in district texts; see § 36.6 and § 53.5).
  • Provide architectural screening details for mechanical and service areas (materials, height, planting) per § 54.6 and Article 36.
  • Demonstrate stormwater treatment through landscape design or permeable surfacing per § 32.12 and Chapter 27A references.

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue Why it matters What to verify
Front‑yard fence height interpretation District text repeatedly references Article 36 but district subsections re‑state front yard limits differently (3 ft at grade / 42 in above grade for elevated spaces). Misinterpretation can cause plan denial. Verify which district subsection controls your parcel (check the exact district article and ask planning staff), and reference Article 36 fence sections. Verify with the jurisdiction.
Exact pervious area % that applies Several districts specify different minimums (20% vs 40% vs district‑specific). Using the wrong standard can trigger remediation and plan revisions. Confirm the zoning district for the parcel and apply that district's pervious rules (§ 8.9, § 9.9, § 16.5, § 17A.4, § 23.11).
Street tree location vs utilities/sidewalk constraints Street tree placement is regulated but actual planting can conflict with utilities or narrower blocks. Coordinate with the review authority on exact locations and species; maintain 8 ft minimum clear path when trees encroach (§ 53.5).
Screening of utility equipment vs utility company rules Ordinance may require undergrounding transformers "to the extent allowed by the utility." Utility rules can override or limit options. Confirm transformer/utility rules with the utility and provide screening that meets both utility and City requirements (§ 54.6).
When Article 36 applies vs district text Some district sections say "Article 36 applies except as provided" — this can create overlap or apparent conflicts. Read Article 36 together with the district section and ask planning staff to confirm which provision governs; if in doubt, verify with the jurisdiction.

Plain‑English summary

If you’re building or changing a site in Redwood City, you must submit a landscape plan, provide required street trees and landscaped setbacks, meet the district’s minimum pervious/landscaped area, and screen trash, parking, and mechanical equipment with walls, fences, or planting; front yard fences are limited in height and some fence materials are prohibited — see the cited code sections and confirm district‑specific details with Planning. § 54.5, § 53.5, Article 36.

Source References

  • § 54.5 — Landscaping (general Downtown / project landscape plan requirements) — Redwood City Zoning Ordinance text on landscape plan objectives and location requirements.
  • § 54.6 — Parking, screening, and mechanical equipment screening (Downtown / integration) — includes screening and stormwater references.
  • § 53.5 — Sidewalks, street trees, and pedestrian requirements — street tree spacing and sidewalk clearance rules.
  • Article 36 / § 36.6 / § 36.7 — Walls, fences, outdoor equipment, decks/patios, and related setback/screening rules (see Article 36 text excerpts).
  • § 8.7 and § 8.9 — R‑3 District setbacks and pervious area requirements (Article 8).
  • § 9.8 and § 9.9 — R‑4 District (setbacks and minimum pervious/front yard pervious) (Article 9).
  • § 17A.3 and § 17A.4 — LII (Light Industrial Incubator) development standards and pervious area (Table 17A‑3 and related rules).
  • § 17.11 / Article 17 — IR District summaries (Article 17 table of contents and pervious rules).
  • § 23.11 — PF District minimum pervious area (Article 23).
  • § 32.12 — Stormwater treatment cross‑references (landscape and pervious area requirements reference this section; consult Chapter 27A for Municipal stormwater controls).

If you need the full ordinance text for any cited §, request the PDF extract for that article or contact Planning staff for parcel‑specific interpretation. Verify all parcel‑level requirements with the City as some rules vary by sub‑district or overlay. For interactions with parking layout, consult Redwood City Parking; for design‑sensitive frontages consult Redwood City Design Review; check overlay controls at Redwood City Overlay Districts.

Sources

Retrieved passages

  • Redwood City Zoning Code High relevance
  • Redwood City Zoning Code (Article 32) High relevance
  • Redwood City Zoning Code High relevance
  • Redwood City Zoning Code High relevance
  • Redwood City Zoning Code (Section 31.15) High relevance
  • Redwood City Zoning Code (Article 32) High relevance
  • Redwood City Zoning Code (Article 32) High relevance
  • Redwood City Zoning Code (Chapter 24) High relevance

Cited sections

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to submit a landscape plan for development in Redwood City?

Yes. The Zoning Ordinance requires a landscape plan as part of the development application; the plan must address layout, function, pedestrian environment, irrigation, and stormwater treatment among other items. See § 54.5.

Are street trees required and who specifies species and spacing?

Yes. Street trees are required along public streets; typical spacing is 20–40 feet, and trees can encroach into the sidewalk only if at least 8 feet of clear sidewalk remains. Exact locations and species are at the discretion of the responsible review authority. See § 53.5.

How much of my lot must be pervious/landscaped?

That depends on the zoning district. For example, R‑3 requires 20% of the lot to be pervious and 60% of the front yard to be pervious (§ 8.9); R‑4 has a similar 20%/60% rule (§ 9.9); other districts have different minima (§ 17A.4, § 23.11). Always confirm the parcel’s exact district.

What fence materials and heights are allowed in front yards?

The ordinance and Article 36 prohibit chain‑link, barbed‑wire, razor‑wire, and corrugated metal fencing. Some district texts limit front‑yard fences to 3 ft at grade and 42 inches where a private open space is elevated, but these limits are carried in district subsections and Article 36 — verify which controls your parcel. See Article 36 and district provisions (see § 36.6 and district language such as § 53.5).

How must mechanical equipment, trash, and loading be screened?

Mechanical equipment and service areas must be shielded and screened from view by architectural screening, solid walls/fences, or sufficient landscaping; rooftop equipment needs parapet/roof screening and setbacks. Trash and recycling enclosures must be fully screened from public rights‑of‑way. See § 54.6 and Article 36.

Does landscaping count toward required parking or building setbacks?

Landscaping is required in setback areas and in many districts certain setback areas must be permanently landscaped. Parking layout and landscape requirements are coordinated — check the city's parking design rules and the development standards for the district. See § 54.5, § 54.6 and the city's Parking & Development Standards pages.

Do stormwater rules affect my plant selection or paving?

Yes — the ordinance requires maximizing on‑site stormwater management via landscaping and permeable paving and cross‑references stormwater rules in § 32.12 and Municipal Code Chapter 27A. Your landscape plan must show how stormwater is managed. See § 54.5 and the stormwater references.

Can I use hedges instead of fences for privacy in front setbacks for walk‑up residential?

Yes — in some districts the landscaped front setback for walk‑up residential may include privacy hedges or low walls or fences to provide separation from the sidewalk when the ordinance allows it; see the district text and § 54.5 for walk‑up residential guidance. Verify whether the proposed hedge/fence meets front‑yard height/visibility requirements.

What if the utility company requires a transformer on the street side?

District rules encourage undergrounding transformers "to the extent allowed by the applicable utility company." Where transformers remain, screening by landscape or enclosure is required; check the utility’s rules and coordinate with the City. See the mechanical/transformer screening language in § 54.6.

Are there different landscape rules for industrial districts?

Yes — industrial and light‑industrial districts (for example LII / § 17A.3) require permanently landscaped front yards and specific screening for outdoor equipment and trash; pervious and stormwater requirements also apply (see § 17A.3 and § 17A.4).

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