San Diego — Landscaping and Screening

Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page explains what the City of San Diego’s zoning and land‑development ordinance requires for landscaping and screening (vegetative and built buffers, fences, walls, trees, and parking/utility screening). It summarizes the specific code provisions that control what you can plant, where you can place walls/fences, how to measure fence/retaining‑wall height, and when landscape or right‑of‑way permits and licensed plans are required. Readers should consult the cited local code sections and the Land Development Manual for parcel‑specific submittal requirements and standards. For context about related processes see the City overview and linked pages for San Diego zoning & planning overview, San Diego Zoning, and San Diego Development Standards.

What the San Diego code actually says (key rules and where to find them)

• Yards and landscaped areas in all base zones may be used only for living landscape material, incidental passage, and limited landscape elements no higher than 3 ft in front and street‑side yards (§131.0140) .
• Fences and walls in required yards must follow the separate Fence Regulations (Chapter 14, Article 2, Division 3); height is measured from the lowest abutting grade to the top of the fence/wall, with a special rule when a fence sits on a retaining wall (§113.0270(a)(5); §§113.02[QQ–RR]) .
• The code permits averaging fence/wall height between two points on a lot line so the straight‑line top does not exceed the maximum permitted (§11 3 2 46 / §113.02..46) .
• Off‑street parking at grade must be screened from the public right‑of‑way by landscaping, building wrap, or architectural screen; chain‑link fencing around at‑grade parking is expressly prohibited (§131.0716) . See San Diego Parking for the parking rules that interact with landscape/screening.
• Installation of landscaping or underground irrigation in the parkway by a fronting property owner is exempt from a Public Right‑of‑Way Permit when the planting is under 30 inches in height (or covered by a Street Tree Permit); otherwise a Public Right‑of‑Way Permit or other development permit may be required (§129.0703) .
• Landscape work inside the public right‑of‑way and certain public‑right‑of‑way encroachments require plans prepared by licensed professionals (e.g., landscape architect) and follow the Land Development Manual; qualifications are specified (§129.0720) .
• Public plazas and public space design have separate tree/landscape minimums (for example, minimum canopy tree counts and permeable landscape percentages for public space) (§131.07xx / public space rules) .
• The general definition of screen (fencing, walls, berms, dense plantings) and related planning guidance are in the definitions and Land Development Manual references (§113.0103 and related definitions) .

Note: Many specific numeric landscape standards (e.g., landscape area percentage by zone, planting species lists, tree caliper/spacing, irrigation detail requirements, and landscape plan submittal checklists) are implemented in Chapter 14 (landscape regulations), the Land Development Manual Landscape Standards, or other implementing documents referenced by the Land Development Code. Where those specifics are not present in the retrieved ordinance excerpts below I mark them as Not found in retrieved materials and direct you to verify with the City.

For related procedures that commonly interact with landscaping and screening, see San Diego Design Review, San Diego Overlay Districts, San Diego ADUs, and the California Building Standards Code (Title 24) when structures, e.g. fences on retaining walls, trigger building permits.

District-by-district breakdown

Below I summarize the code snippets found for major district types in the San Diego Land Development Code. Where the code text in the retrieved materials gives a controlling cross‑reference (for landscaping, screening, or closely connected dimensional rules) I cite the controlling §. For permitted‑uses and full dimensional tables that were not included in the retrieved excerpts I note "Not found in retrieved materials" and advise verification.

RS zones (single‑family residential — RS‑1‑1 through RS‑1‑7)

• Purpose: Single‑family residential districts (RS series) — code treats these as the City’s standard single‑family districts. Specific purpose statements and use lists: Not found in retrieved materials. Verify with the full zone tables in Chapter 13.
• Typical permitted uses: Not found in retrieved materials (see Chapter 13 Use Tables). Verify with Table 131‑02B and the RS zone use list.
• Key landscaping/screening standards shown in the ordinance excerpts:
  • Use of required yards: living landscape material and limited landscape elements up to 3 ft high in front and street‑side yards (§131.0140) .
  • Maximum lot coverage and story/third‑story limitations that affect where landscaping and walls are sited are set by the RS rules (e.g., maximum third‑story width limits in RS zones) (§131.0460) .
  • Fences/walls in yards must comply with Chapter 14 fence regulations (§131.0140(d)) .
• Where this district applies: See the RS zone maps and community plan overlays (Community Plan Implementation Overlay Zones) — overlay mapping is in Chapter 13 diagrams and overlays .

RM zones (multi‑family residential — RM series)

• Purpose: Multi‑family residential; common code provisions for common open space and landscaping. Full purpose/use tables: Not found in retrieved materials (check Chapter 13 RM use table).
• Typical permitted uses: Not found in retrieved materials; verify Table 131‑02B.
• Key landscaping/screening standards:
  • Common open space must be landscaped or improved; percentage and minimum dimensions are specified in the RM common open space provisions (§131.0456) .
  • Parking screening rules for multi‑family and mixed‑use that locate at‑grade parking behind landscaping/wraps apply via §131.0716 (§131.0716 applies across zones where parking standards apply) .

RT zones (townhouse / small‑lot residential)

• Purpose / permitted uses: Not found in retrieved materials; see Chapter 13.
• Key landscaping/screening connections:
  • RT zones have special lot‑coverage and garage exceptions that affect open yard/landscape calculations; see §131.0445 for lot coverage rules that can change how much landscape area is required/calculated (§131.0445) .

Commercial zones and mixed‑use (CC, CN, MX, etc.)

• Purpose / permitted uses: Full use tables Not found in retrieved materials; consult Table 131‑02B and each base zone’s development regulations.
• Key landscaping/screening standards:
  • Parking screening: at‑grade parking cannot be visible from the public right‑of‑way unless screened (landscape, building wrap, or architectural screen); chain‑link is prohibited (§131.0716) .
  • Loading and refuse screening cross‑references appear in development regulations tables; see Table references for loading/overhead door screening (§131.0xxx) .

Overlays and special areas (Coastal, MHPA, Clairemont Mesa Height Limit, Wildland interface)

• Overlay rules can alter where screening and walls are allowed or exempt certain height calculations (e.g., Coastal Height Limit Overlay limits roof/structure exemptions and may affect trellis/fence treatment) (§113.0270(a)(5)) .
• Wildland/urban interface or fire‑exposure areas may require non‑combustible screens or fuel breaks and influence acceptable planting and wall materials — specific local wildfire landscaping controls: Not found in retrieved materials (the 2025 Wildland‑Urban Interface Code excerpts are external and indicate possible state requirements; verify locally) .

Quick standards table (decision‑relevant)

Practical guidance (synthesis and how to apply this on a San Diego parcel)

• Start with zone and overlay: identify the parcel’s base zone (RS, RM, RT, CC, etc.) and any overlays (Coastal, Clairemont Mesa Height Limit, MHPA). Overlay restrictions can change whether fences or landscape features are permitted at certain heights or locations (§113.0270 references overlay exclusions for structure exemptions) . See San Diego Overlay Districts.
• Check where the planting sits relative to property line and ROW: landscaping in the parkway may trigger a Public Right‑of‑Way Permit unless the planting is under 30 in. and maintained by the adjacent owner (§129.0703) .
• For fences and walls: use the Fence Regulations in Chapter 14 (cited from §131.0140(d)) for location and permitted materials and measure height from the appropriate grade per §113.02..45–46; treat fences on top of retaining walls per the measurement rule and consider averaging to smooth grade transitions (§113.02..45–46) .
• For parking screening: if you propose at‑grade parking facing a street, plan for landscape screening or architectural screening rather than chain‑link fencing (§131.0716) and ensure any driveway/curb openings are consistent with access/visibility rules (§131.0716; §113.0273) .
• Professional plans: any landscape work in the ROW or that affects public improvements will likely require a Public Right‑of‑Way Permit and plans prepared by licensed professionals; check §129.0720 and the Land Development Manual for detailed submittal requirements .
• Design & review processes: landscaping/screening tied to new development commonly goes through project review and, depending on the scale and area, may require San Diego Design Review and neighborhood/community plan consistency checks.

Checklist (what an applicant must satisfy)

• Confirm base zone (RS, RM, RT, CC, etc.) and overlays that apply to the parcel (Coastal, MHPA, Height Limits). Verify with planning maps. §131.xx tables (verify in full code) .
• Ensure front/street‑side yards use only allowed landscape elements (living material and landscape elements ≤ 3 ft in front/street yards) (§ 131.0140) .
• If planting or irrigation in the parkway, confirm whether the work is exempt (< 30 inches) or needs a Public Right‑of‑Way Permit (§ 129.0703) .
• If building fences/walls, measure and document height per grade rules; if on a retaining wall use higher‑side measurement and consider height averaging (§§ 113.02..45–46) .
• For screened parking or loading/refuse areas, include landscape/architectural screening in plans and avoid chain‑link around at‑grade parking (§131.0716) .
• Prepare landscape plans per Land Development Manual and have required sheets prepared/signed by a licensed landscape architect where work is in the ROW (§129.0720) .
• Check visibility/traffic safety (visibility triangle) requirements for landscaping and walls at driveways and corners (§113.0273) .
• If in an overlay (Coastal, Clairemont, or MHPA) obtain any additional reviews/permits required by overlay rules (§113.0270; overlay diagrams) .
• Coordinate any landscape that screens public utilities (transformers) with utility clearance rules and the City’s Greenbook guidance (utility screening and clearances). Not a substitute for City or utility requirements; verify with the utility and City reviewer. .

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain‑English Summary

San Diego’s zoning code lets you use yards for plants and limited low landscape features, requires fences and walls to follow the Fence Regulations and be measured from grade, and generally requires that at‑grade parking and utilities be screened with landscaping or architectural screens rather than chain‑link. Planting in the parkway under 30 inches is often exempt from a ROW permit, but most other landscaping that affects the public right‑of‑way or overlays will need licensed plans and city review — check the cited code sections and the Land Development Manual for the exact numeric standards. (§131.0140; §113.02..45–46; §131.0716; §129.0703)

Source References

• § 131.0140 Use of Yards and Landscaped Areas in All Base Zones (landscape uses and 3 ft limit in front/street yards)
• § 131.0716 Parking Design — screening at‑grade parking and prohibition of chain‑link for screening (§131.0716 refers to parking screening)
• § 129.0703 Exemptions from Requirement for a Public Right‑of‑Way Permit (parkway planting < 30 inches)
• § 129.0720 Qualifications to Prepare Plans and Perform Construction Work in the Public Right‑of‑Way (licensed landscape architect requirement for ROW planting plans)
• § 113.0270(a)(5) Structure height exemptions that reference fences/trellises and overlay exclusions; §§ 113.02..45–46 Measuring fence/wall height and averaging, and retaining wall measurement rules (Chapter 11 measurement rules)
• § 113.0273 Measuring Visibility Area (visibility triangle rules relevant to driveway/landscape)
• § 131.0456 Common Open Space in the RM Zones (landscaping obligations for common open space in multi‑family zones)
• Land Development Manual referenced throughout the code for landscape standards and submittal requirements (see §129.0710 and §129.0720 references)
• Utility screening guidance (Greenbook / utility standards for transformer screening and clearances) — advisory City/utility guidance (see 2022 Greenbook excerpt)

Retrieved passages

• San Diego Zoning Code (Chapter 12) High relevance show source text
• San Diego Zoning Code (Chapter 11) High relevance show source text
• CWUIC § 65850.6 (Title 24) High relevance show source text
• San Diego Zoning Code (Section 131.0715) Medium relevance show source text
• San Diego Zoning Code (Section 131.0546) Medium relevance show source text
• San Diego Zoning Code (Chapter 11) Medium relevance show source text
• San Diego Zoning Code (Chapter 13) Medium relevance show source text
• San Diego Zoning Code (Section 670.2) Medium relevance show source text
• San Diego Zoning Code (Chapter 13) Medium relevance show source text
• San Diego Zoning Code (Section 131.0123) Medium relevance show source text
• San Diego Zoning Code (Chapter 13) Medium relevance show source text
• San Diego Zoning Code (Chapter 13) Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• **§ 131.0140** Use of Yards and Landscaped Areas in All Base Zones (landscape uses and 3 ft limit in front/street yards) (§ 131.0140)
• **§ 131.0716** Parking Design — screening at‑grade parking and prohibition of chain‑link for screening (§131.0716 refers to parking screening) (§ 131.0716)
• **§ 129.0703** Exemptions from Requirement for a Public Right‑of‑Way Permit (parkway planting < 30 inches) (§ 129.0703)
• **§ 129.0720** Qualifications to Prepare Plans and Perform Construction Work in the Public Right‑of‑Way (licensed landscape architect requirement for ROW planting plans) (§ 129.0720)
• **§ 113.0270(a)(5)** Structure height exemptions that reference fences/trellises and overlay exclusions; **§§ 113.02..45–46** Measuring fence/wall height and averaging, and retaining wall measurement rules (Chapter 11 measurement rules) (§ 113.0270)
• **§ 113.0273** Measuring Visibility Area (visibility triangle rules relevant to driveway/landscape) (§ 113.0273)
• **§ 131.0456** Common Open Space in the RM Zones (landscaping obligations for common open space in multi‑family zones) (§ 131.0456)
• Land Development Manual referenced throughout the code for landscape standards and submittal requirements (see §129.0710 and §129.0720 references) (§129.0710)
• Utility screening guidance (Greenbook / utility standards for transformer screening and clearances) — advisory City/utility guidance (see 2022 Greenbook excerpt)
• SanDiego_ZoningCode.md
• 2025 California Wildland-Urban Interface Code.md
• 2022 PGE Greenbook.md

• Official San Diego code library