Local zoning · San Gabriel

San Gabriel — Landscaping and Screening

Q: What buffer yard do I need if I build a commercial project next to a single-family lot in San Gabriel?

If your proposed use is Commercial and the adjoining use is Single‑family Residential , Table 153.535-(B)(1) requires a Type 2 buffer in that pairing; the Type 2 yard is defined as 10 ft wide and specifies tree and shrub counts per 100 lineal feet in Table 153.535-(B)(2). See § 153.535(B)(1–2) for the table and plant counts.

Q: What's the maximum height of a front‑yard ornamental screening wall in an R‑1 lot?

An ornamental screening wall in the front yard of R-1 , R-1A , or R-2 is limited to 6 ft above average grade and must meet placement and length restrictions set out in § 153.128 .

Q: How many trees do I need inside a parking lot?

Parking lots must provide 1 tree for each 6 parking spaces , distributed relatively evenly. Trees must meet minimum size and planter requirements and species must come from the Planning Division list (minimum 15‑gallon size and minimum 5 ft planting area, with a minimum 50% evergreen composition for parking-lot trees) ( § 153.226(H) ).

Q: If my neighbor already has a planted buffer, can I reduce my required buffer width?

Yes — the code allows a 50% width reduction of a required buffer if an equivalent landscape buffer exists on the adjacent lot and there is a written agreement guaranteeing preservation and maintenance of the adjacent buffer. The reduction must be supported by a written (and typically recorded) agreement ( § 153.535(B)(3) ).

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

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Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the City of San Gabriel’s zoning ordinance requires for landscaping, screening, buffers, fences/walls, and trees. It synthesizes the local standards you must meet (planting widths, required species counts, parking-lot screening options, screening wall heights, landscape-plan contents, and tree controls) and points to the exact controlling code sections so you can prepare plans or reviews. See the city's zoning map and rules at the main San Gabriel planning pages for context: the city's San Gabriel Zoning and San Gabriel Development Standards pages.

Important: All requirements below are drawn from the San Gabriel Municipal Code zoning / landscape chapters; when I cite a rule I give the exact controlling § and the retrieved ordinance source. Verify site-specific interpretations with the Community Development Director for your parcel.

What the code covers (high-level)

Landscape design principles and preferred practices are codified in § 153.534 (design principles such as native/drought-tolerant plants, composition, scale, and sustainable stormwater practices) .
Mandatory areas to landscape, buffer-yard types, and required planting counts are in § 153.535 (including Table 153.535-(B)(1) and Table 153.535-(B)(2)) .
Parking-lot landscape, tree spacing, screening options, and stormwater routing are in § 153.226 (parking lot landscaping and screening) .
Rules for ornamental screening walls, front-yard wall locations and limits, and rear/side yard fence/wall heights appear in § 153.128 and related rules referenced in § 153.127 (fence/wall location and heights) .
The City’s tree authority, permit requirements, and property-owner maintenance duties are in Chapter 95 (Tree Regulations, e.g., § 95.02–§ 95.04) .
Project submittal content (what a landscape plan must show) is listed under site plan/landscape plan submittal requirements (see the landscape-plan checklist items) .

Also consult the design-review standards that require landscape transitions and screening be considered in project approvals; see the Design Review guidance at the city's San Gabriel Design Review page and site plan evaluation criteria in § 153.355 .

District-by-district breakdown

Below are the districts and how the landscaping and screening rules apply to each. Bold district names and the controlling numbers are pulled from the municipal code text.

R-1 / R-1A / R-2 (single‑family residential districts)

Purpose & typical uses: Single‑family lots and standard residential development (these zones are called out throughout the R‑zone provisions). Ornamental screening walls in front yards are expressly permitted in these zones subject to limits. See § 153.128 for front-yard screening rules and § 153.127 for other fence/wall limits. .
Key landscape/screen standards:
- Ornamental screening walls in front yards: maximum height 6 ft above average grade; front‑yard placement limited to no closer than ¾ of the block’s average setback but in no case less than 15 ft from the front property line; length limits also apply. See § 153.128.
- Rear-yard/property-line walls: under certain conditions walls in rear yards may reach 7.5 ft (see § 153.127) .
- Landscape plan and screening treatments required for ADUs and accessory structures; ADUs must be “screened with a combination of trees, massed shrubbery, and ground plantings” per ADU rules (see San Gabriel ADUs and § (ADU requirements)) .

Where this applies: Every project in these residential zones that changes yards, constructs ADUs, adds driveways/parking, or proposes walls/fences must follow the above and submit required landscape plans (see submission items) .

Multiple‑family residential

Purpose & typical uses: Multiunit housing developments. Landscaping is tied to building perimeters and buffer yards when adjacent to other uses (see § 153.535).
Key landscape/screen standards:
- Building frontages on a public street must have landscape planters along a minimum 20% of the building face; planters must be at least 3 ft deep (see § 153.535(C)) .
- When adjacent to different uses, buffer yards are required according to Table 153.535-(B)(1) (e.g., multi‑family next to single‑family typically triggers a Type 1 buffer) and the Type specifications (e.g., Type 1 = 5 ft width; Type 2 = 10 ft width) are in § 153.535(B) and Table 153.535-(B)(2). .
- Design review expects planting tiers, canopy/understory mixes, and tree protection; see design criteria requiring species diversity and screening of walls visible from streets (§ 153.355) .

Mixed‑Use, Commercial, Industrial districts

Purpose & typical uses: Retail, office, commercial services, and industrial uses as applicable in the commercial and industrial zones. Landscaping requirements focus on buffers between uses, parking‑lot screening, and perimeter planting. See § 153.535 and § 153.226.
Key landscape/screen standards:
- Buffer yards between differing uses are set by Table 153.535-(B)(1) — the table shows when Type 1 or Type 2 buffers are required depending on the proposed and adjoining use; the Type definitions (width and plant counts) are in Table 153.535-(B)(2) (Type 1 = 5 ft, Type 2 = 10 ft). See § 153.535(B).
- Parking‑area buffers:
  - Adjacent to a residential lot: minimum 10 ft landscaped buffer with at least 1 tree per 25 lineal feet; parking must drain to buffer (see § 153.226(E)(1)) .
  - Adjacent to nonresidential zones: minimum 5 ft landscaped buffer with at least 1 tree per 25 lineal feet; parking must drain to buffer (see § 153.226(E)(2)) .
- Parking-lot tree minimum: 1 tree per 6 parking spaces, trees distributed evenly and minimum 15‑gallon size (see § 153.226(H)) .
- Screening options for parking visible from streets include a low decorative masonry wall 24–30 inches high, a 3‑ft opaque evergreen planting, or a 3–4 ft berm planted as required (see § 153.226(K)) .

Open Space and Public Facilities District

Purpose & typical uses: Public/quasi‑public uses such as parks, schools, libraries, community facilities, nurseries, and public parking (see § 153.141–§ 153.142). Landscaping expectations emphasize preservation of natural features and parkway/street trees; required landscaping along flood control channels is also specified in § 153.535(D).
Key standards: Flood channel edge conditions: 15‑ft landscape buffer and separate 12‑ft service road/bike path along flood channel easements; drought‑tolerant plant lists and alternate plans are allowed with Director approval (§ 153.535(D)) .

Quick reference table — most decision‑relevant standards

Requirement	Standard (bolded control)	Code reference
Buffer yard types (width + plants)	Type 1 = 5 ft (2 canopy trees / 2 understory / 20 large shrubs / 40 small shrubs per 100 ft); Type 2 = 10 ft (2 canopy / 3 understory / 30 large / 50 small)	§ 153.535(B)(2)
Required landscaping in required setbacks	All required setbacks (except exits/entries) must be landscaped	§ 153.535(A)
Parking‑adjacent buffers	Adjacent to residential: 10 ft + 1 tree per 25 ft; adj. to nonresidential: 5 ft + 1 tree per 25 ft	§ 153.226(E)(1–2)
Parking lot trees	1 tree per 6 parking spaces; 15‑gallon minimum size; planter min 5 ft interior dimension	§ 153.226(H)
Parking screening options	24–30 in masonry wall OR 3 ft opaque evergreen planting (2 ft min in 18 months) OR 3–4 ft berm	§ 153.226(K)
Ornamental front screening wall height (R zones)	6 ft max above average grade; additional placement/length limits	§ 153.128
Rear-yard wall heights (interior lots)	Under conditions walls may extend to 7.5 ft in rear yard (see limits)	§ 153.127
Landscape plan content (minimum submittal items)	Existing trees, proposed removal/retention, species and sizes, irrigation plan, location/height/material of fences/walls, screening of rooftop equipment	landscape plan checklist items (see site plan submittal) (see submittal list)

Key policy notes and interpretation tips

The code prefers natural landscape materials (trees, shrubs, hedges) for buffering and screening; plants may be used together with fences or berms to achieve required screening, but the planting must be capable of forming an effective screen within a reasonable time (see § 153.534(G)) .
Water and sustainability rules are integrated: the city encourages native and drought-tolerant species, rainwater harvesting, permeable paving, bioswales, and directing parking-lot runoff into planted buffers for treatment/infiltration (see § 153.534(H) and § 153.226(L)) .
Tree lists and species selection are controlled by the Planning Division; a minimum of 50% evergreen for parking-lot trees is required and species must be from the approved list (see § 153.226(H)(3)) .
Chain‑link fences are explicitly prohibited for some applications and typical acceptable materials are treated wood, vinyl, wrought iron, brick, and stone (see the fences/materials note) .
Design review decisions include landscape and buffering as part of findings (Design Review evaluation criteria require “landscape transition zones” and that retaining walls/visible walls be screened) — see § 153.355 and the San Gabriel Design Review page for process details .

Checklist

Prepare a full landscape plan showing existing and proposed trees/shrubs, species and sizes, plant quantities and spacing tied to buffer and planting standards (§ 153.535, § 153.226)
Show buffer-yard type and width on property lines when adjacent uses differ (identify whether Type 1 or Type 2 applies per Table 153.535-(B)(1)) § 153.535(B)
For parking areas: show tree counts (1 per 6 spaces), locations, planter dimensions (min 5 ft) and drainage routing to landscaped buffers (§ 153.226(H–I, L))
If proposing walls/fences, dimension heights and distances to property lines and driveways; label materials (chain‑link prohibited where noted) (§ 153.128, § 153.127)
If seeking to reduce a required buffer because the adjacent lot already has landscaping, provide a written maintenance agreement from the abutting owner (50% width reduction allowed with agreement) (§ 153.535(B)(3))
For ADUs, show screening with trees/shrub massing per ADU rules and file required covenants if applicable (see ADU section)
Include irrigation and stormwater BMPs (rainwater harvesting, permeable paving, bioswales) if project thresholds trigger more extensive LID requirements (§ 153.534(H))
Confirm any design‑review triggers and submit neighborhood analysis / elevation drawings as required by the Design Review submittal checklist (§ 153.353 and § 153.355)

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Buffer type and application	Table 153.535-(B)(1) assigns Type 1 or Type 2 by proposed/adjoining use; mixing uses on a parcel can trigger different buffers	Confirm which use is the “proposed use” vs. the “adjoining use” for your parcel; verify buffer type in plan review (§ 153.535(B))
Adjacent buffer reduction	Code allows 50% reduction only with a recorded written agreement from abutting owner — that agreement is a precondition	Prepare and record a maintenance agreement; verify acceptability and that the agreement covers maintenance and preservation (§ 153.535(B)(3))
Tree species list and minimum sizes	The Planning Division maintains an approved species list and requires 15‑gallon minimum for parking-lot trees and 50% evergreen	Obtain the current Planning Division tree list; verify species acceptability and required box size or larger (§ 153.226(H))
Front‑yard wall placement in R zones	Ornamental screening walls allowed but subject to block-average setback calculations and strict length limits — misplacing a wall can create noncompliance	Measure block average setbacks, label elevations, and verify proximity limits and curb/driveway setbacks (§ 153.128)
Chain‑link use or non‑standard materials	Chain‑link is prohibited for some walls and acceptable materials are specified; enforcement varies by context	Verify material acceptability with Planning staff early; cite fence materials list in plans (fence materials clause)
Parcel‑specific exceptions (e.g., flood control corridors)	Flood channel and wash edge requirements (e.g., 15 ft buffer) allow alternate plans if strict compliance is a hardship and require Director approval	If your parcel borders a wash or channel, prepare alternate landscape proposals and expect Director review (§ 153.535(D))

Plain‑English summary

San Gabriel requires you to landscape required setbacks and provide planted buffer yards between incompatible uses, follow the buffer‑type plant counts and widths in § 153.535, screen parking and service areas (with plants, walls, or berms) per § 153.226, and follow fences/walls height and placement limits in § 153.128 and § 153.127; submit a landscape plan that shows species, sizes, irrigation, and screening details and be ready to use native/drought‑tolerant plants and stormwater best practices. Verify species lists, exceptions, and plan acceptability with the Planning Division.

Source References

§ 153.534 — Landscape design principles (native/drought tolerant plants, buffering preference, sustainable stormwater)
§ 153.535 — Areas to be landscaped; Table 153.535-(B)(1) (required landscape buffers) and Table 153.535-(B)(2) (buffer yard requirements)
§ 153.226 — Parking lot landscaping and screening (buffers, parking-lot trees, screening options, stormwater routing)
§ 153.226(K) — Parking area screening options (walls, planting, berms)
§ 153.128 — Ornamental screening walls rules for R-1, R-1A, R-2 (front‑yard screening)
§ 153.127 — Property-line fences/walls conditions and rear‑yard heights (examples and limits)
Chapter 95 (e.g., § 95.02–§ 95.04) — Tree regulation authority, permits to plant/remove, and property-owner maintenance duties
ADU screening requirements (screening by trees/shrubs called out in ADU rules) — ADU submittal and screening requirements
Landscape‑plan and site submittal checklist items (what to show on plans) — site plan/landscape plan submittal list (Landscape plan item list)
Design Review evaluation criteria requiring landscape transitions and screening of visible walls — § 153.355

Also consult these topic pages on the city/unit site for procedural context:

San Gabriel Zoning — zoning maps and district context
San Gabriel Development Standards — dimensional standards and related rules
San Gabriel Parking — where parking triggers and design are explained
San Gabriel Design Review — review process and required submittals
San Gabriel ADUs — ADU screening and design rules
California Building Standards Code — for building-code items (Note: the building code is separate; this page does not interpret Title 24)

Information Gaps

Precise district‑by‑district dimensional tables (lot coverage, setback numbers, FAR) for every zoning classification were not present in the retrieved landscape excerpts. Not found in retrieved materials — Verify with the jurisdiction or the full zoning district tables on the [San Gabriel Zoning] page.
The current Planning Division tree species list and any recent updates to acceptable species/size minimums are maintained by Planning and were not provided in the retrieved files — Verify with Planning (species list is referenced but not included) .
Any local overlay or historic‑district specific landscape standards (beyond general mentions of historic preservation in design review) require consulting the City’s overlay maps and the San Gabriel Overlay Districts page — Not found in retrieved materials for parcel‑specific overlay rules.

Sources

Retrieved passages

San Gabriel Zoning Code (§ 153.535) High relevance
San Gabriel Zoning Code (section of) High relevance
San Gabriel Zoning Code (§ 153.226) High relevance
San Gabriel Zoning Code High relevance
San Gabriel Zoning Code High relevance
San Gabriel Zoning Code (§ 153.224.) High relevance
San Gabriel Zoning Code High relevance
San Gabriel Zoning Code (§ 153.226) High relevance

Cited sections

Official San Gabriel code library

Frequently asked questions

What buffer yard do I need if I build a commercial project next to a single-family lot in San Gabriel?

If your proposed use is Commercial and the adjoining use is Single‑family Residential, Table 153.535-(B)(1) requires a Type 2 buffer in that pairing; the Type 2 yard is defined as 10 ft wide and specifies tree and shrub counts per 100 lineal feet in Table 153.535-(B)(2). See § 153.535(B)(1–2) for the table and plant counts.

How wide must the landscaped buffer be between a parking lot and a neighboring house?

When a surface parking area is adjacent to a residential zoning district the code requires a landscaped area at least 10 ft wide for the length of the parking area and at least 1 tree per 25 lineal feet; the parking lot must drain to that buffer (see § 153.226(E)(1)).

Can I use a fence instead of planting for screening my commercial trash enclosure?

Yes — the code permits combinations of natural materials and fences/berms; plants are preferred but may be used with fences or berms to achieve the required screening. The landscape elements must be capable of forming an effective buffer within a reasonable time and must not obstruct visibility or public safety (§ 153.534(G)).

What's the maximum height of a front‑yard ornamental screening wall in an R‑1 lot?

An ornamental screening wall in the front yard of R-1, R-1A, or R-2 is limited to 6 ft above average grade and must meet placement and length restrictions set out in § 153.128.

How many trees do I need inside a parking lot?

Parking lots must provide 1 tree for each 6 parking spaces, distributed relatively evenly. Trees must meet minimum size and planter requirements and species must come from the Planning Division list (minimum 15‑gallon size and minimum 5 ft planting area, with a minimum 50% evergreen composition for parking-lot trees) (§ 153.226(H)).

Will the City accept permeable paving and bioswales as part of landscape stormwater treatment?

Yes — the ordinance encourages sustainable stormwater best practices; permeable paving, rain gardens, bioswales, and rainwater harvesting are cited as acceptable practices under the landscape design principles and parking‑lot stormwater management rules (§ 153.534(H) and § 153.226(L)). Provide these features on the landscape plan; larger parking lots (≥ 5,000 sq ft or ≥ 25 spaces) may be subject to NPDES and additional BMP requirements (§ 153.226(L)).

Do I need a landscape plan for a small ADU and does it need screening?

All ADUs must comply with local design rules; an ADU must be “screened with a combination of trees, massed shrubbery, and ground plantings sufficient in the opinion of the City Landscape Architect” and must conform to single‑family design guidelines (see the ADU rules). The landscape plan requirements listed with site submittals apply (show existing/removed trees, irrigation, screening). See the ADU provisions and § (landscape plan items) for submittal specifics.

If my neighbor already has a planted buffer, can I reduce my required buffer width?

Yes — the code allows a 50% width reduction of a required buffer if an equivalent landscape buffer exists on the adjacent lot and there is a written agreement guaranteeing preservation and maintenance of the adjacent buffer. The reduction must be supported by a written (and typically recorded) agreement (§ 153.535(B)(3)).

Are chain‑link fences allowed for required screening?

Chain‑link is expressly noted as prohibited in the list of acceptable fence and wall materials for certain contexts; preferred materials include treated wood, vinyl, wrought iron, brick, and stone. Verify fence/material acceptability for your specific application with Planning (see the materials note)

Do design-review standards require landscape screening for visible retaining walls?

Yes — the Design Review evaluation criteria require generous landscaping, landscape transition zones, and preservation/screening of walls visible from public streets; further, some project‑type design standards require that 50% of retaining walls, freestanding walls, and fences visible from public streets be screened by landscape at maturity (§ 153.355 and project design standards).

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