Local zoning · Riverside County

Riverside County — Landscaping and Screening

Q: What minimum plant sizes does the County require for required landscaping?

Required trees must be at least 15‑gallon size at planting and shrubs at least 5‑gallon (smaller shrubs can be allowed for color/habit reasons). Plants on the plan must be shown at their expected average size at 15 years . § 17.188.070 .

Q: Are front‑yard lawns allowed in new residential subdivisions?

New natural turfgrass lawns are effectively prohibited in front yards of new residential subdivisions, and turf is prohibited in medians/parkways along county‑maintained roads; these restrictions come from the water‑efficient landscape chapter, § 17.276.050 .

Q: Do I need an automatic irrigation system?

Yes — an automatic irrigation system is required for all planted areas under the landscaping rules, and the irrigation plan must show heads, valves, pressure/GPM data and backflow devices as required in § 17.188.070 and the water budget information required under § 17.276.050 .

Q: What are the County’s rules for walls, fences and screening for RV parks and similar uses?

For recreational vehicle parks the code requires decorative masonry walls or fences 6 ft high on property lines not abutting a road, and where abutting a road that fence/wall must be combined with an earthen berm and landscaping to achieve an 8‑ft high screen; the exterior face of block walls must have an anti‑graffiti coating; additional landscape buffering is required per Chapter 17.188 . See §§ 17.268.050–.060 .

Q: What documents are required by the water‑efficient landscape chapter?

Applicants for new or rehabilitated landscapes subject to § 17.276.040 must submit a construction documentation package including project info, planting plan, irrigation design plan, soil management plan and grading plan, plus the county’s water budget calculations. See § 17.276.050 .

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

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Last reviewed: July 3, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the Riverside County zoning and planning ordinance requires for landscaping and screening in the unincorporated areas of Riverside County. Primary rules live in Chapter 17.188 (Landscaping/parking landscaping requirements) and the water-efficiency rules in Chapter 17.276 (Water Efficient Landscape Requirements); plot‑plan and submittal rules are in Chapter 17.216. The standards below explain who must submit what plans, minimum plant/sizing and irrigation rules, parking shading and interior-planting percentages, and screening requirements for walls, trash areas and outdoor storage. Verify parcel‑specific applicability with the county planning director.

(For zoning context see Riverside County Zoning; for how landscaping interacts with parking, see Riverside County Parking; requirements tie into Riverside County Development Standards.) Riverside County Zoning Riverside County Parking Riverside County Development Standards

Controlling chapters & what they do (quick)

Chapter 17.188 — general landscaping, parking landscaping, screening, plan submittal triggers and design standards; includes planter/curb requirements, parking shading %, interior parking landscaping %, and screening of trash/outside storage. § 17.188.070–.080 and related subsections.
Chapter 17.276 — water‑efficient landscape ordinance (documentation, water budgets, turf prohibitions in new front yards and medians). § 17.276.010–.050.
Chapter 17.216 — plot plan submittal rules (how landscape, grading, irrigation and shading plans must be filed). § 17.216.010–.040.

(If your project requires design review or falls in a specific overlay or specific plan, those rules can add or change landscaping/screening requirements — check Riverside County Design Review and Riverside County Overlay Districts.) Riverside County Design Review Riverside County Overlay Districts

How the rules apply (zone / district breakdown)

The County’s landscape/screening requirements are applied both as chapter-wide standards and as cross-references inside zone/district development standards. Below are districts where the code explicitly calls out landscape/screening requirements; each district entry summarizes purpose, typical uses, and the landscaping/screening standards that matter in unincorporated Riverside County.

Chapter‑wide (All applicable zones where a plot plan/permit is required)

Purpose: set minimum content and performance for landscape plans, irrigation, grading and shading for projects that need a plot plan, CUP, subdivision, surface mining permit, or whenever the planning director requires it. Key rules: a combined landscaping + grading + irrigation + shading plan must be submitted; all landscaping must comply with Chapter 17.276 water‑efficiency rules; plans must show trees, shrubs, easements, walls/fences, mounds, irrigation components, and planting details. Mounds are limited to 3:1 slope and no mound over 30 inches may be within 10 feet of street/alley intersections.

Relevant citations: § 17.188.070 (Application requirements and plan content); enforcement and plan timing tied to § 17.216 plot plan rules.

Industrial Park — I‑P

Purpose: industrial/business parks with larger parcels; landscaping to buffer industrial uses from streets and residences. Typical uses: manufacturing, warehousing, light industry. Key landscaping/screening standards:

Minimum 15% of site must be landscaped and an automatic irrigation system is required. § 17.96.040(C).
25‑ft setback on streets with a 10‑ft landscaped strip adjacent to the street line (except for access ways). § 17.96.040(D).
Where industrial abuts residential/commercial, a 50‑ft setback is required with at least 20 ft landscaped or a tree screen; block walls or fencing may be required and parking/loading/trash must be screened by structures or landscaping. § 17.96.040(G,H).

Commercial‑Residential — C‑R

Purpose: mixes residential and commercial uses with a higher landscaping expectation. Typical uses: small commercial with residential compatibility standards.

Front, side and rear yard setbacks and landscaping/parking per Chapter 17.188 (parking areas and landscaping must comply). Trash areas must be visually screened with a 6‑ft fence/wall. § 17.84.040 (Development standards).

Commercial Office — C‑O

Purpose: professional and administrative offices; ordinance intent expressly requires uses to be “well designed and landscaped.” Typical uses: medical, legal, financial, small offices.

Plot plans required for many uses; landscaping required per Chapter 17.188. § 17.88.010–.020.

Recreational Vehicle Parks (Vacation / Extended / Permanent occupancy)

Purpose: standards to make RV parks compatible with surrounding areas and scenic corridors.

Walls/fences: decorative masonry wall or fencing 6 ft high on non‑street property lines; where abutting a road combine the 6‑ft wall/fence with an earthen berm + landscaping to provide an 8‑ft high screen. Exterior side of block walls must have anti‑graffiti coating. Landscaped buffer required per Chapter 17.188. (See §§ 17.268.050–.060 and related RV park sections.)

Mini‑warehouse / Storage facilities

Purpose: storage sites can be visually intrusive; code requires setbacks plus landscaped buffers.

Street setbacks and buffering between mini‑warehouse and residential property must be landscaped (shrubs, trees, vines) in addition to parking‑area landscaping required by Chapter 17.188; walls shall be placed to provide a buffer and screening of service/trash. § 17.?? (mini‑warehouse development standards reference Chapter 17.188) — verify with the planning director.

(Note: many specific plans and planning‑area sections modify the base zone rules — always check specific plan sections applicable to the parcel.) Riverside County Overlay Districts

Most decision‑relevant standards (quick reference table)

Requirement / item	What the ordinance requires in unincorporated Riverside County	Code Reference
Minimum tree size at planting	15‑gallon minimum for required trees; trees also drawn to average size at 15 years	§ 17.188.070 (Landscaping plan requirements)
Minimum shrub size	5‑gallon minimum (smaller allowed in some accent/color beds)	§ 17.188.070
Parking area shading	30% shade (5–24 spaces), 40% (25–49), 50% (50+); trees to meet shade within 15 years	§ 17.188.070 (Shading plan table)
Interior parking landscaped %	5% (5–24 spaces), 7.5% (25–49), 10% (50+); higher along scenic highways	§ 17.188.070 (Interior parking landscaping table)
Planter curb	Planters shall be bounded by a curb at least 6 in high; end stalls require a 6 in high curb + 12 in wide concrete walkway	§ 17.188.070(F)
Mound slope / location	Mounds must not exceed 3:1 slope; no mound over 30 in within 10 ft of street/alley intersections	§ 17.188.070 (Grading requirements)
Irrigation	Automatic irrigation required for all planted areas; irrigation design details and water budget required	§ 17.188.070 (Irrigation plan reqts) and § 17.276.050 (landscape documentation)
Turf limits	New natural turfgrass lawns are effectively prohibited in front yards for new residential subdivisions; turf in medians/parkways along county roads prohibited	§ 17.276.050 (Planting plan reqts)
Performance security	County may require performance bonds/cash/LOC to guarantee installation of plantings, walls and fences and 1‑yr plant maintenance	§ 17.188.0xx / § 17.188 enforcement (performance securities)
Trash/outside storage screening	Trash areas must be screened with 6‑ft walls/fencing; outside storage must be screened by landscaping/architectural enclosures	§ 17.84.040; § 17.188 (design standards)
RV park perimeter screening	6‑ft masonry wall or fence; where adjacent to road combine with berm + landscaping for 8‑ft high screen; landscape buffer per Chapter 17.188	§§ 17.268.050–.060

Practical guidance & interpretation (plain‑English but code‑grounded)

If your project triggers a plot plan, CUP, subdivision, surface mining permit or the planning director asks for it, you will need a combined landscape + grading + irrigation + shading plan submitted under Chapter 17.216. The director may require separate exhibits but all information must be clear on the record. § 17.216.010–.040; § 17.188.070.
For commercial/industrial parking design, factor the parking‑shade % and interior landscape % into the site layout early (trees count toward shading only as they mature — plans must show canopy at 15 years). § 17.188.070 (shading/interior tables).
Water rules are strict: follow Chapter 17.276 forms and water‑budget calculations; many front‑yard lawn installations in new subdivisions are not allowed. Coordinate with the local water purveyor early if using recycled water. § 17.276.010–.050.
If you plan block walls/fences (for screening or security) know that some uses (e.g., trash, mini‑storage, RV parks) have explicit height and buffer prescriptions and may require landscape buffers and anti‑graffiti coatings. Check the zone’s development standards as well as Chapter 17.188. § 17.84.040; §§ 17.268.050–.060; Chapter 17.188.

(If your project also requires design review, sign control, or falls in a specific plan overlay, consult Riverside County Design Review, Riverside County Signage, and the specific plan text for additional standards.) Riverside County Design Review Riverside County Signage

Checklist

Determine whether project triggers a plot plan, CUP, subdivision, or other discretionary permit (if yes, landscape plan likely required). § 17.216.010–.040.
Prepare and submit combined landscaping plan, grading plan, irrigation plan and shading plan (or four labeled exhibits) per Chapter 17.188 and 17.216. Include legend, plant species (botanical & common names), existing trees, and plants drawn to 15‑yr size. § 17.188.070; § 17.276.050.
Include irrigation design with backflow devices, pressure/GPM data and county water‑budget calculations per the Riverside County Guide to Trees, Shrubs and Ground Covers. § 17.188.070; § 17.276.050.
For parking: show shading % compliance (30/40/50%) and interior landscape % (5/7.5/10%); show planter curbs and tree spacing. § 17.188.070 (shading & interior landscape tables).
If requiring walls/fences/trash/outside storage screening, show construction details and landscape buffering as required by the zone and Chapter 17.188. § 17.84.040; Chapter 17.188.
Be prepared to post a performance bond or other security guaranteeing installation and one year of maintenance where required (e.g., large uncovered parking areas). § 17.188 enforcement provisions.

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Parcel‑specific specific plan overrides	Specific plans or planning‑area sections frequently modify base zone landscaping/screening rules.	Confirm whether your parcel is in a specific plan or planning area and use those text amendments in lieu of base rules. Verify with planning staff and check the applicable specific plan section.
Turf prohibition applicability	Chapter 17.276 prohibits new front‑yard turf in new residential subdivisions, but applicability can depend on whether the project is a “new subdivision.”	Ask planning staff whether your project counts as a new subdivision and whether exemptions apply. § 17.276.050.
Water purveyor stricter rules	Local water purveyors can impose stricter recycled water or irrigation requirements than the County ordinance.	Contact the local water purveyor early; the ordinance explicitly makes applicants responsible for complying with purveyor rules. § 17.276.050(E).
Height/placement of walls & limits in special corridors	Scenic highways and certain zones may require taller screening (e.g., combined berm + wall to reach 8 ft) or restrict chain link/visible fences.	Verify whether the parcel is adjacent to a scenic highway or subject to overlay standards; check the applicable zone (RV parks, C‑R, Rubidoux policy area have special rules). §§ 17.268.x; 17.84.040; Chapter 17.188.
Performance security amounts	The code allows securities but does not state a fixed amount in the chapter.	Verify the amount with Building & Safety — acceptable instruments listed in the ordinance (bond, cash, LOC). § 17.188 enforcement.

Plain‑English Summary

If your project in the unincorporated areas of Riverside County requires a plot plan, conditional use, subdivision, or similar permit, you will almost certainly need a landscape package showing plants, irrigation, grading and parking shading; trees are minimum 15‑gallon, shrubs 5‑gallon, irrigation must be automatic, parking lots must meet interior‑landscape and shading percentages, and many screen walls/ trash/outdoor storage areas must be buffered and screened — all enforced before final occupancy. §§ 17.188, 17.216, 17.276.

Information Gaps

Exact mini‑warehouse / self‑storage section number for the specific landscaped buffer language was paraphrased from the development standards; parcel‑specific application of those standards is not fully enumerated in the retrieved excerpts. Verify with the planning director.
Some specific plan excerpts modify landscaping percentages and setbacks (e.g., Planning Areas in various specific plans). Those modifications vary by plan; you must check the specific plan text that governs your parcel. Not all planning-area section numbers were exhaustively retrieved here.

Source References

Riverside County Zoning & Development — Chapter 17.188 (Landscaping; plan submittal, parking shading, interior landscaping, planter/curb, grading). See § 17.188.070 and related subsections.
Riverside County Zoning — Chapter 17.276 (Water Efficient Landscape Requirements; intent, documentation, turf limits). § 17.276.010–.050.
Plot plan procedures and requirements (how to submit combined landscaping/irrigation/shading plans): Chapter 17.216 (plot plans).
Industrial Park development standards including 15% landscape and setbacks: § 17.96.040.
C‑R zone development standards (landscaping/parking/trash screening requirement): § 17.84.040.
Recreational vehicle park screening (6‑ft walls; 8‑ft combined berm + wall at roads): §§ 17.268.050–.060.
Enforcement / performance securities for installation and one‑year maintenance: enforcement provisions in Chapter 17.188 and related enforcement text.

(Background/internal pages referenced above for program context: Riverside County Zoning, Riverside County Parking, Riverside County Development Standards, Riverside County Design Review, Riverside County Overlay Districts, Riverside County Signage; and California Building Standards Code (Title 24) where building code interactions apply.) Riverside County Zoning Riverside County Parking Riverside County Development Standards Riverside County Design Review Riverside County Overlay Districts Riverside County Signage California Building Standards Code

Sources

Retrieved passages

Riverside County Zoning Code (Chapter 17.216.) High relevance
Riverside County Zoning Code (Chapter 17.188.) High relevance
Riverside County Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance
Riverside County Zoning Code (§ 9.63) High relevance
Riverside County Zoning Code (§ 4) High relevance
Riverside County Zoning Code (Chapter 17.188) High relevance
CPC § 150 High relevance
Riverside County Zoning Code (Title 25) High relevance
Riverside County Zoning Code (§ 2) Medium relevance
Riverside County Zoning Code Medium relevance
Riverside County Zoning Code Medium relevance
Riverside County Zoning Code (§ 10.2) Medium relevance
Riverside County Zoning Code Medium relevance

Cited sections

Official Riverside County code library

Frequently asked questions

What landscaping plans do I need to file for a new commercial building in unincorporated Riverside County?

You must file a combined Landscaping Plan, Landscaping Grading Plan, Irrigation Plan and Shading Plan when a plot plan or discretionary permit is required; the package must meet the content requirements listed in § 17.188.070 and be submitted in accordance with Chapter 17.216. The plans must include plant species, sizes (trees 15‑gallon minimum), irrigation details, and parking shading calculations.

How much of a parking lot must be shaded in Riverside County?

The ordinance requires shading of uncovered parking areas by mature canopy within 15 years: 30% of the parking area for 5–24 spaces, 40% for 25–49 spaces, and 50% for 50+ spaces; multilevel structures are exempt. See the shading table in § 17.188.070.

What minimum plant sizes does the County require for required landscaping?

Required trees must be at least 15‑gallon size at planting and shrubs at least 5‑gallon (smaller shrubs can be allowed for color/habit reasons). Plants on the plan must be shown at their expected average size at 15 years. § 17.188.070.

Are front‑yard lawns allowed in new residential subdivisions?

New natural turfgrass lawns are effectively prohibited in front yards of new residential subdivisions, and turf is prohibited in medians/parkways along county‑maintained roads; these restrictions come from the water‑efficient landscape chapter, § 17.276.050.

Do I need an automatic irrigation system?

Yes — an automatic irrigation system is required for all planted areas under the landscaping rules, and the irrigation plan must show heads, valves, pressure/GPM data and backflow devices as required in § 17.188.070 and the water budget information required under § 17.276.050.

What are the County’s rules for walls, fences and screening for RV parks and similar uses?

For recreational vehicle parks the code requires decorative masonry walls or fences 6 ft high on property lines not abutting a road, and where abutting a road that fence/wall must be combined with an earthen berm and landscaping to achieve an 8‑ft high screen; the exterior face of block walls must have an anti‑graffiti coating; additional landscape buffering is required per Chapter 17.188. See §§ 17.268.050–.060.

When will the County ask for performance security (bond) for landscaping?

If the total uncovered parking area (including shared parking agreements) exceeds 3,600 sq ft or in other cases described by the County, the building and safety director may require performance securities (bond, cash, irrevocable credit, or LOC) to guarantee installation of plantings, walls and fences and one year of maintenance. See enforcement/guarantee provisions. § 17.188 (enforcement).

Can the planning director modify landscaping requirements?

Yes — the planning director may authorize modifications to landscaping requirements without notice/hearing where topography or physical conditions make strict compliance impractical. Verify modifications with the planning director and check Chapter 17.188.

How do water‑purveyor rules affect my landscape design?

If a local water purveyor has stricter recycled‑water or irrigation requirements, the applicant is responsible for meeting those purveyor requirements and designing the plans accordingly; the county will coordinate with the purveyor where feasible. See § 17.276.050(E).

What documents are required by the water‑efficient landscape chapter?

Applicants for new or rehabilitated landscapes subject to § 17.276.040 must submit a construction documentation package including project info, planting plan, irrigation design plan, soil management plan and grading plan, plus the county’s water budget calculations. See § 17.276.050.

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