Local zoning · San Bernardino

San Bernardino — Landscaping and Screening

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

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Last reviewed: July 3, 2026

Overview

This page explains what the City of San Bernardino's Development Code requires for landscaping, screening, buffers, fences, walls, and trees in development projects. Requirements live primarily in the Landscaping Chapter (Chapter 19.28) and the Property Development Standards chapter (fences/walls) and are applied by zone and overlay; review is handled through the city’s zoning and permit process. See the city's broader zoning & planning overview for jurisdictional context and the specific San Bernardino Zoning and San Bernardino Development Standards pages for related rules.

Note: this page limits itself to the local zoning/development ordinance — building-code items (Title 24) and state ADU law are separate. See California Building Standards Code for Title 24 references.

How the code is organized (quick orientation)

  • The City’s landscaping rules are codified in Chapter 19.28 — Landscaping Standards (purpose, plan requirements, screening matrix, parking-area landscaping, setback/parkway treatment, installation/maintenance, water-efficiency). See § 19.28.010–.120 for the full structure.
  • Fences, walls, hedges and related limits live in the Property Development Standards chapter, principally § 19.20.030 (Fences and Walls) and the associated Table (Fences/Walls/Hedges Height and Type Limits).
  • Zone-specific development standards (residential, commercial, industrial) reference and add to these standards; e.g., Residential Zones (Chapter 19.04) contain additional landscaping/fence rules.

District-by-district breakdown

Note: the city applies the Chapter 19.28 requirements across zones, and each land-use district layers additional requirements or clarifications. Below are the primary districts where landscaping/screening provisions change in a way materially relevant to applicants.

Residential zones — RE, RL, RS, RU, RM, RMH, RH, RSH

Purpose & typical uses:

  • Low- to higher-density housing (single-family to multi-family) governed by Chapter 19.04.

Key landscaping & screening rules:

  • Evergreen landscape screening is required between newly-created dwellings in certain infill/two-unit projects: at least one 15‑gallon plant per 5 linear feet of exterior wall or one 24" box per 10 linear feet; plants must be at least 6 feet tall at installation, or a 6‑foot solid fence may be used instead. Landscapes must be drought tolerant. Cite: § 19.04 (Landscaping provisions in Residential Zones).
  • Fences/walls: residential front-yard limits are restricted — open fences may not exceed 48 inches in front yards and solid walls may not exceed 36 inches in front yards; a 6‑foot solid decorative fence/wall is required on property lines except in the front yard in many residential development contexts. See § 19.20 (fences/walls) and Chapter 19.04 development standards.
  • Street trees and subdivision front-yard landscaping minimums: residential subdivisions must provide trees/shrubs/groundcover consistent with neighborhood character and install automatic irrigation; see § 19.28.030 and § 19.28.060.

Where it applies:

  • All residential parcels; special treatments (corner lots, parkways) in § 19.28.070–.060 apply to subdivisions and new developments.

Commercial zones — (see Chapter 19.06)

Purpose & typical uses:

  • Retail, services, and other commercial uses governed by Chapter 19.06. These zones must meet the Chapter 19.28 landscaping minimums plus commercial-specific screening (e.g., screening of loading/refuse).

Key landscaping & screening rules:

  • Service, loading and refuse areas visible from rights-of-way or adjacent residential uses must be screened with a solid masonry wall and landscaping; refuse areas are to be roofed if visible from freeways. See § 19.14.030 (Freeway Corridor Overlay) and Chapter 19.26 (loading).
  • Parking-lot landscaping minimums (tree counts, spacing, planter widths and curbing) in § 19.28.050 apply to commercial parking.

Where it applies:

  • Commercial parcels citywide; commercial parcels within overlays (e.g., FC Freeway Corridor) have added screening requirements.

Industrial zones — (see Chapter 19.08)

Purpose & typical uses:

  • Manufacturing, storage, and industrial services; industrial uses typically trigger the most stringent screening when adjacent to residential zones.

Key landscaping & screening rules:

  • Outdoor storage and heavy uses conducted substantially outdoors require Type A/B/C screening per the screening matrix (Table 28.01) to buffer adjoining uses. Chapter 19.28.040 governs the screening type selection process.
  • Electric fences are regulated (permit required, restricted to non-residential zones and subject to height/location limits). See § 19.20 (electric fence standards).

Where it applies:

  • Industrial parcels and sites that propose outdoor storage, loading, or equipment yards.

Overlay districts — FC (Freeway Corridor), HM (Hillside Management), others

Purpose & typical uses:

  • Overlays modify the underlying zone to address context-specific concerns (visual from freeway, hillside constraints, historic districts). See San Bernardino Overlay Districts.

Key landscaping & screening rules:

  • FC (Freeway Corridor) requires screening of service areas, utilities, and refuse from freeway views using landscaping and architectural elements; it also requires undergrounding of utilities where applicable. See § 19.14.030.
  • HM (Hillside Management) requires a tree map and prevents removal of trees above a certain size without approval; the Commission must review tree removals and hillside landscaping as part of the conditional-use/subdivision review. See § 19.17 (Hillside Management).

Where it applies:

  • Parcels wholly or partly within the overlay boundaries identified on the zoning map; the FC overlay applies within 500 feet of freeway right-of-way for non-residential zones.

Key standards and decision‑relevant table

Requirement / Topic Standard or trigger (decision-relevant) Code reference
Landscaping purpose & mandatory plan submission Concept landscaping plan with permit application; comprehensive landscape & irrigation plan concurrent with grading § 19.28.020–.030
Screening between uses Developer must use Table 28.01 (Type A/B/C screens) to determine required screening between developing use and adjacent use § 19.28.040; Table 28.01
Parking lot landscaping Minimum: at least one 24‑inch box tree per 4 spaces (or 24" box tree for each 4 spaces), max 30 ft spacing, landscape islands min 6 ft width, curbing requirements § 19.28.050
Parkway/setback treatment Street trees (24" box), mounding limits (max 3:1 slope or 3 ft height), minimum 6 ft of landscaping outside perimeter walls/fences § 19.28.060
Installation & maintenance All required landscaping must be installed, irrigated, inspected and permanently maintained before CO/use; maintenance agreement required § 19.28.080–.090
Water efficiency Water‑efficient landscaping standards and mandatory irrigation (automatic systems) § 19.28.120; § 19.28.030(10)
Fence/wall heights & limits Front yard: open fence ≤ 48 in., solid wall ≤ 36 in.; perimeter: 6 ft solid decorative wall typically required except front yard; electric fence rules (permits, height limits in non-res zones) § 19.20.030; Table 20.01; residential provisions in Chapter 19.04
Loading/refuse screening Loading areas abutting residential properties must have 6 ft solid architecturally treated masonry wall and a 3‑ft irrigated berm adjacent to ROW Chapter 19.26 (Off‑Street Loading) and § 19.26.6 (screening)
Freeway corridor screening Service areas, utilities, and refuse visible from freeway must be screened architecturally and with planting; underground utilities required where applicable § 19.14.030 (FC Overlay)

Practical guidance / interpretation notes (plain-English, application-focused)

  • Always start with the concept landscaping plan required with the permit application — the code requires a concept plan and then a comprehensive landscape + irrigation plan submitted with grading plans; the Director has discretion to determine conformance. See § 19.28.020–.030.
  • Use Table 28.01 to pick Type A / B / C screening between your proposed use and adjoining uses; this is a matrix-based decision (don’t guess). The developer is responsible for installing the indicated screening type. See § 19.28.040 and Table 28.01.
  • For parking lot proposals, provide tree spacing and counts on the plan (24" box tree every four spaces or similar), show curbs and planters at least 6 ft wide, and label the irrigation system (automatic irrigation mandatory). See § 19.28.050 and § 19.28.030(10).
  • If your site abuts a freeway or sits inside an overlay, overlay standards can be more restrictive — check the FC overlay rules for freeway-visible sites and show screening/undergrounding measures on elevations and site sections. See § 19.14.030.
  • Walls and fences: present elevations and materials; residential front-yard heights are limited (open 48" / solid 36") and perimeter walls are commonly 6 ft high — show these clearly on your site plan and cite Table 20.01/§ 19.20.030 in your submittal.

(When your project triggers design review, include landscape and wall treatments in the design package — see the city's Design Review guidance.)

Checklist (what an applicant must satisfy)

  • Submit a concept landscaping plan with the permit application as required by § 19.28.020.
  • Submit a fully dimensioned comprehensive landscape and irrigation plan concurrent with grading (lists of species, sizes, irrigation details, hardscape) per § 19.28.030.
  • Demonstrate required screening using Table 28.01 (Type A/B/C) between the developing use and adjacent uses as required by § 19.28.040.
  • For parking: show trees (24" box tree for roughly every 4 spaces), planters, curbing and irrigation per § 19.28.050.
  • Show perimeter walls/fences with heights and materials; comply with § 19.20.030 and Table 20.01 (front-yard limits and 6‑ft perimeter walls where required).
  • If in FC overlay or project visible from freeways, show architectural screening and undergrounding measures per § 19.14.030.
  • For loading/refuse areas abutting residential, show 6‑ft masonry wall and adjacent 3‑ft irrigated berm per Chapter 19.26.
  • Include tree preservation/removal plan where required (Hillside Management and other overlays) — tree map and Commission approvals may be required per § 19.17.
  • Provide a landscape maintenance agreement to ensure ongoing maintenance per § 19.28.090.

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue Why it matters What to verify
Determining the correct Screening Type (A/B/C) Table 28.01 controls required planting/wall types; mis-classifying can require rework or a conditional use Confirm screening type using Table 28.01 and document the choice on plan; cross-check with reviewer. § 19.28.040
Fence/wall heights at corners or on irregular lots Front-yard vs perimeter rules differ (open 48", solid 36", perimeter 6 ft), and corner treatments may trigger sight‑distance safety requirements Show wall/fence elevations; verify front-yard line and Traffic Safety Sight Area constraints. § 19.20.030 and residential rules in Chapter 19.04.
Tree removal in hillside or mapped areas HM overlay requires a tree map and Commission approval to remove protected trees If trees ≥6" DBH or >25' tall exist, prepare a tree map and seek approvals per § 19.17.
Street tree species and placement Director of Community Development approves street tree species and locations; public improvements and root damage concerns require coordination Verify species and spacing with Director; show street-tree planting and root‑protection details on plans. § 19.28.060(5)
Electric fences and security devices Electric fences are allowed only with permits and only in limited zones and configurations Confirm permit need and zone eligibility; cite electric fence standards in § 19.20.
Irrigation and water-efficiency compliance The code mandates automatic irrigation and water-efficient design (and a water-efficiency section exists) Provide irrigation details that meet § 19.28.030(10) and § 19.28.120; verify local water‑agency cross-requirements.

Plain‑English summary

San Bernardino requires a concept landscape plan with most permit applications and a detailed, irrigated landscape plan (showing trees, shrubs, planters, walls and irrigation) before a project can be approved; screening between uses follows the Table 28.01 Type A/B/C matrix, parking and parkway areas must meet tree and planter minimums, and fences/walls have specific front‑yard and perimeter height limits — all enforced during development review. Key provisions are in Chapter 19.28 (Landscaping Standards) and the fences/walls rules in § 19.20.030; verify overlay- or zone-specific requirements early.

Source References

  • San Bernardino Development Code — Chapter 19.28, Landscaping Standards: § 19.28.010 – § 19.28.120 (purpose, application, general regs, screening, parking standards, setback/parkway standards, installation, maintenance, tree rules, water-efficiency).
  • San Bernardino Development Code — Property Development Standards, including § 19.20.030 (General Standards: Fences and Walls) and Table (Fences/Walls/Hedges Height and Type Limits).
  • San Bernardino Development Code — Table 28.01 (Screening Requirements) and related text (how to determine Type A/B/C). § 19.28.040.
  • San Bernardino Development Code — § 19.28.050 (Standards for Parking Areas) (tree counts, spacing, planters, curbing).
  • San Bernardino Development Code — § 19.28.060 (Setback and Parkway Treatment Standards) (street trees, mounding, perimeter landscaping).
  • San Bernardino Development Code — Chapter 19.26 (Off‑Street Loading Standards) (loading/refuse screening adjacent to residential).
  • San Bernardino Development Code — Chapter 19.14 (FC Freeway Corridor Overlay) (screening/undergrounding requirements for freeway-visible sites).
  • San Bernardino Development Code — Chapter 19.04 (Residential Zones) — landscaping/fencing provisions applicable to residential development (evergreen screening, front‑yard fence limits, etc.).
  • San Bernardino Development Code — Chapter 19.17 (Hillside Management Overlay) — tree map and tree‑removal review requirements.

Sources

Retrieved passages

  • San Bernardino Zoning Code High relevance
  • San Bernardino Zoning Code (Section 19.20.030) High relevance
  • San Bernardino Zoning Code High relevance
  • San Bernardino Zoning Code High relevance
  • San Bernardino Zoning Code (section and) High relevance
  • San Bernardino Zoning Code (Chapter is) High relevance
  • CWUIC § 65850.6 (Title 24) High relevance
  • San Bernardino Zoning Code Medium relevance

Cited sections

Frequently asked questions

What screening is required when a commercial site borders residential properties in San Bernardino?

Screening is determined by Table 28.01: find the "developing use" row for the commercial use and the column for the adjoining residential use to identify Type A/B/C screening required, then show the chosen method (planting, wall, berm, or combination) on the landscape plan. See § 19.28.040.

How much landscaping must go outside a perimeter wall or fence?

The code requires a minimum of 6 feet of landscaping on the exterior side of perimeter walls and fences (setback/parkway treatment). Show this on the site plan and ensure irrigation per § 19.28.060.

Do parking lots need trees, and how many?

Yes. Parking lots must include landscaped areas and trees — generally one 24‑inch box tree for every four spaces, with maximum tree spacing of 30 feet (clustering allowed); show tree sizes and spacing on the plan and provide automatic irrigation. See § 19.28.050.

What are the front‑yard fence height limits in residential zones?

Open fences in front yards may not exceed 48 inches; solid walls in front yards may not exceed 36 inches. Perimeter and side/rear walls are commonly 6 feet where required; electric fences and special security fences have separate rules in § 19.20.030.

Are automatic irrigation systems required?

Yes. The Development Code requires an approved automatic irrigation system for all required landscaping and emphasizes water‑efficient/drought‑tolerant design; provide irrigation details on the comprehensive plan. See § 19.28.030(10) and § 19.28.120.

If my site is visible from I‑10 or I‑215, are there extra landscaping requirements?

Yes. Parcels inside the FC (Freeway Corridor) overlay (within 500 feet of the freeway right‑of‑way for non-residential parcels) must screen service/loading/storage/utilities from freeway view with landscaping and architectural elements, and may be required to underground utilities. See § 19.14.020–.030.

Is a tree removal permit required for trees on a hillside project?

Hillside projects must include a tree map (trees meeting size/height thresholds) and tree removal requires approval; no protected trees should be removed without Commission approval as part of the HM overlay review. See § 19.17.

How does the city enforce ongoing landscape maintenance?

Prior to Certificate of Occupancy, the owner must file a maintenance agreement or covenant (allowing the City to enter and maintain and to place liens if necessary); required landscaping must be installed, irrigated, inspected and maintained. See § 19.28.080–.090.

Can I substitute hardscape or inorganic groundcover for plant material?

Inorganic groundcover is allowed only as an accent and must be combined with live plants; concrete mow strips and separation details are specified for non‑single family developments. Check § 19.28.030 for acceptable mixes and installation rules.

Do ADU projects have special landscape/screening rules?

ADUs must comply with standard landscaping/screening rules in Chapter 19.28 and the zoning chapter, but the ADU-specific code clarifications are elsewhere; see the ADU guidance and ensure the landscape plan meets § 19.28 requirements. See the city's ADU page and § 19.28.020–.030. ---

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