Local zoning · Sand City

Sand City — Landscaping and Screening

Landscaping and Screening under the Sand 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 Sand City Zoning Ordinance requires for landscaping, screening, buffers, fences and hedges. It is drawn directly from the Sand City zoning code (Title 18) and related overlay rules and cites the controlling sections. For related topics see the city's guidance on Sand City Zoning, Sand City Development Standards and site-specific Sand City Land Use. Note: this page stays in the zoning/planning scope only (not Title 24 building-code details); for building-code interaction see the California Building Standards Code.

Key takeaways up front

  • A landscape plan with specific drawing detail is required for most development and must be maintained; see § 18.62.050 and the district-level rules that call it out.
  • Fence/hedge height and screening rules vary by yard/location: front-yard fences are limited to 30 in; fences behind front-setback or in side/rear yards can reach 8 ft in many commercial/industrial zones; see § 18.62.060.
  • Off-street parking and outdoor storage must be screened (typical visual barrier 4–6 ft for parking; specialized 7 ft Cyclone + redwood slat screen for industrial outdoor storage adjacent to residences).

How the code organizes landscaping & screening rules (core chapters)

  • The principal procedural and design rules are in Chapter 18.62 (Landscape, fences, hedges, related site features) — especially § 18.62.050 (landscape plans, maintenance, irrigation, planting detail) and § 18.62.060 (fence/hedge rules applied to specific districts).
  • Parking-area screening and landscaping requirements live in Chapter 18.64, notably § 18.64.060 (screening/landscaping heights and materials for parking).
  • Definitions that affect interpretation include Buffer, Screen Fence/Screen Hedge, and Wire Mesh Fencing in Chapter 18.04. Use those definitions when preparing plans.

I will now summarize district-by-district how the Sand City ordinance applies landscaping and screening rules. Each district subsection notes purpose, typical uses (brief) and the landscaping/screening items the code requires or references.

R-1 (single-family residential) — summary of landscaping/screening rules

  • Purpose / typical uses: single-family dwellings and accessory uses in residential neighborhoods. See general residential district provisions in Title 18.
  • Landscaping/screening rules that apply here:
    • Standard landscape plan and maintenance requirements apply when a development or site alteration triggers site plan or design review; the general landscape plan content and maintenance rules are in § 18.62.050.
    • When parking areas or service uses abut R districts, the code requires visual screening such as an evergreen hedge, solid fence, masonry wall, or dune berm (typical height 4–6 ft) per § 18.64.060.
    • Front yard fence height limitations and visibility conditions (corner sight lines and maximum heights for intersection landscaping) are controlled by the fence/hedge rules in § 18.62.060 and the visibility/landscaped corner rules elsewhere in Chapter 18.62.

R-2 / R-3 (multi-family residential) — summary

  • Purpose / typical uses: multi-family residential options and planned unit developments (higher densities in R-3). See district chapters for density and setbacks.
  • Landscaping/screening rules:
    • Projects that require site plan approval or are subject to the design-control overlay must submit landscape drawings showing plant species, sizes, irrigation and any screen fences or walls as required by § 18.62.050.
    • Parking that adjoins R-districts must be screened 4–6 ft high per § 18.64.060.

C-2 / C-3 / C-4 (commercial) — summary

  • Purpose / typical uses: neighborhood and regional commercial centers. Code requires landscape and screening for parking lots, perimeter setbacks, and street frontages.
  • Landscaping and screening specifics:
    • Landscape plan approval is required for development proposals in larger commercial districts; the code specifically requires a minimum of 5% of a project site be devoted to landscaping in several commercial contexts (§ 18.19.050).
    • Perimeter setbacks in some commercial districts must be landscaped in accordance with an approved landscape plan (see § 18.19.040 and § 18.19.050).
    • Parking screening rules: parking for more than five vehicles must be screened by a visual barrier 4–6 ft high when adjoining or facing any R district per § 18.64.060.

M (Manufacturing / Industrial) and CZ‑IP (Coastal Industrial Park) — summary

  • Purpose / typical uses: heavy/light manufacturing, storage, truck depots, outdoor storage permitted with screening conditions.
  • Landscaping and screening specifics:
    • Fence/hedge regulations that apply to industrial areas are in § 18.62.050 (maintenance/landscape plan) and § 18.62.060 (district-specific fence/hedge rules). Many district chapters explicitly reference these sections as conditions of approval.
    • For outdoor storage the CZ IP rules require the City to find “location, screening and type of equipment” create no adverse visual impacts and allow three ways to satisfy screening: landscape berm averaging 3+ ft, separation by a 6 ft screen fence, or other approved measures; these appear in § 18.42.040 and § 18.42.060.
    • A specific requirement for outdoor storage adjacent to residences: a screen fence of seven feet or more, Cyclone with diagonal redwood slats, is required when outdoor storage is established on a parcel that abuts a residential district (triggered on first-time development or discretionary permits) — see § 18.62.060(B).

PF (Public Facilities) — summary

  • Purpose / typical uses: public buildings, utilities and community service facilities.
  • Landscaping & screening:
    • Areas used for outdoor storage must meet the design standards applicable to parking with respect to paving, drainage, access, safety, lighting, landscaping and screening — see § 18.21.040(F).

Coastal overlays and habitat overlay districts (CZ, CZ RM, CZ HR, CZ ST, DC)

  • Where the coastal overlays apply, the same Chapters 18.62 / 18.64 rules apply but with coastal permit or habitat-specific addenda:
    • Native coastal plants are required for projects in some environmentally sensitive areas in the CZ RM overlay: see § 18.52.030(C).
    • The DC (Design Control) overlay requires design permit submittals to include proposed landscaping and treatment of grounds; see § 18.58.020–030. Design review may therefore require more detailed planting, materials and sightline drawings. For design review details see the city's Sand City Design Review page and the code at § 18.58.

Quick reference table — most decision‑relevant numeric standards and rules

Topic Key rule / numeric standard Code Reference
Minimum landscaped area on many developments (commercial examples) 5% of project site (exclusive of dedications) § 18.19.050
Required parking/lot screening height and type 4–6 ft visual barrier (evergreen hedge, solid fence, masonry screen wall or dune berm) for parking areas >5 spaces when adjoining/facing R districts § 18.64.060(A)
Front-yard fence/hedge maximum 30 in (front yard) unless otherwise allowed § 18.62.060(A)(1)
Side/rear yard fence/hedge maximum 8 ft allowed behind front setback and in required side/rear yards § 18.62.060(A)(2)
Screen fence for outdoor industrial storage adjacent to residences 7 ft Cyclone fence with diagonal redwood slats (applies at initial development/discretionary permit) § 18.62.060(B)
Landscaping plan drawing content Location/type/size of plants, mounding (1-ft lines), irrigation layout, screen fence/wall/trellis details § 18.62.050(C)
Definition: Screen fence/hedge Visibility restriction ≥75% (opaque area:open area ≥3:1); 5-gallon shrubs that reach 75% opacity in 4 years allowed as hedge § 18.04.480
Wire mesh fencing defined (chain link, cyclone) Wire mesh fencing is defined separately and distinguished from ornamental iron § 18.04.550

Practical guidance — how to prepare an application that will pass landscaping & screening review

  1. Prepare a complete landscape plan that follows § 18.62.050(C): plan view showing plant species, sizes at planting, drip lines / mounding with 1-ft contours, irrigation layout for areas >200 sq ft, and detailed drawings of any screen fences or walls.
  2. Size on-site landscaping to meet project‑level minimums (where specified) — e.g., commercial projects must show 5% landscaping in some district rules (§ 18.19.050).
  3. For parking lots and outdoor storage, show screening details: use a 4–6 ft evergreen or masonry screen for parking adjacent to residences (§ 18.64.060), and use a 7 ft Cyclone + redwood slats fence for industrial outdoor storage abutting residential property when triggered (§ 18.62.060(B)).
  4. If your parcel is in a coastal overlay or near environmentally sensitive habitat, include native-plant lists or botanist reports per § 18.52.030 and the applicable CZ district rules. See Sand City Overlay Districts.
  5. Expect site plan or design review to condition landscaping — the DC overlay requires the design committee to review landscaping/planting as part of permits (§ 18.58.020–030). See the city's Sand City Design Review page for process steps.
  6. For any construction that affects the building envelope, coordinate with the city's Sand City Parking standards and Sand City Development Standards to ensure parking, setbacks and landscape area computations are consistent.

Checklist

  • Does the project require a landscape plan (site plan/conditional use/Coastal permit/PUD/design review)? If yes, prepare plans per § 18.62.050(C).
  • Does the site provide the minimum landscaped area where district rules or conditions require it (example: 5% for certain proposals)? Check § 18.19.050.
  • Are parking areas screened with a 4–6 ft barrier where they adjoin R districts? See § 18.64.060(A).
  • Do fence/hedge heights meet the rule for front yards (30 in) and side/rear yards (8 ft where allowed)? See § 18.62.060(A).
  • If there is outdoor storage adjacent to residential zoning, is a 7 ft Cyclone + diagonal redwood slat screen fence shown (and triggered only on new development/discretionary permits)? See § 18.62.060(B).
  • For coastal/habitat sites, have you included native-plant proposals or a botanist report per § 18.52.030?
  • Include irrigation details where a planter section >200 sq ft (per § 18.62.050(H)) and describe ongoing maintenance responsibilities.

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue Why it matters What to verify
Applicability of the 7 ft Cyclone + redwood requirement That spec is narrow and applies to outdoor storage adjacent to residential and when the parcel is first developed or tied to a discretionary permit; misapplying it can force a retrofit. Confirm whether the outdoor storage is a first-time development or tied to a discretionary permit and whether the parcel abuts an R district; see § 18.62.060(B).
Whether chain‑link/chain‑link-with-slats is permitted as a screen Wire mesh (chain link, Cyclone) is defined separately — some requirements demand redwood-slatted Cyclone for industrial storage abutting residences; other contexts may not accept bare chain link as a visual screen. Verify material allowance and required treatment (slats, paint, planting) with planning staff; see § 18.04.550 and § 18.62.060(B).
Coastal/habitat planting lists and dune interfaces CZ overlays require native coastal plants and botanist-determined setbacks in dune areas; failing to follow may trigger additional mitigation or permit denial. If in a CZ overlay, provide a biological survey/habitat protection plan or botanist determination as required by § 18.52.030 and CZ district provisions.
Conflicting requirements from site plan/design review conditions Design review committees can impose conditions beyond the Chapter 18 minima (e.g., larger berms, different species mix). Anticipate discretionary conditions; coordinate pre-application with planning/design review staff. See § 18.58.020–030.
Parcel-specific setbacks/adjacency rules Several district chapters require residential-interface setbacks or botanist determination for dunes — these are parcel- and context-specific. Verify lot-specific interface setbacks during pre-application; see district notes such as § 18.19.040(b–c) and § 18.42.040(B).

Plain-English Summary

Sand City requires most new development and many exterior alterations to include a detailed landscape plan, to provide and maintain on-site landscaping (commonly at least 5% in commercial proposals), and to screen parking and outdoor storage so nearby homes and public views are protected. Front-yard fences are tightly limited (around 30 inches); taller fences and screen hedges are allowed behind front setbacks or in side/rear yards, and industrial outdoor storage that borders residences often must be enclosed by a tall, slatted screen fence. The controlling rules are in Chapter 18.62 (landscaping/fences) and the district chapters that reference it.

Source References

  • Sand City Zoning Ordinance, § 18.62.050 (Maintenance of Landscaping; landscape plan contents).
  • Sand City Zoning Ordinance, § 18.62.060 (Fence and Hedge Regulations — C, IP, CZ C, CZ IP, CZ M and M districts).
  • Sand City Zoning Ordinance, § 18.64.060 (Development and Maintenance of Parking Areas; screening and landscaping for parking).
  • Sand City Zoning Ordinance, § 18.19.040–050 (C‑4 district setbacks; landscape plan approval; minimum 5% landscaping).
  • Sand City Zoning Ordinance, § 18.42.040–060 (CZ IP parking/landscaping, outdoor storage and fence/hedge regulations).
  • Sand City Zoning Ordinance, definitions: Buffer, Screen Fence or Screen Hedge, Wire Mesh Fencing (Chapter 18.04).
  • Coastal/habitat overlay plantings requirement, § 18.52.030(C).

Sources

Retrieved passages

  • CWUIC § 65850.6 (Title 24) Medium relevance
  • Sand City Zoning Code (§26-9) Medium relevance
  • Sand City Zoning Code (§9) Medium relevance
  • Sand City Zoning Code (§11-6) Medium relevance
  • Sand City Zoning Code (title shall) Medium relevance
  • Sand City Zoning Code (§1) Medium relevance
  • Sand City Zoning Code (§2) Medium relevance
  • Sand City Zoning Code (§ 18.04.095.) Medium relevance
  • Sand City Zoning Code (§22-4) High relevance
  • Sand City Zoning Code (title if) High relevance
  • Sand City Zoning Code (§ 18.19.035.) Medium relevance
  • Sand City Zoning Code (§11-4) Medium relevance
  • Sand City Zoning Code (§2-90) High relevance
  • Sand City Zoning Code (§2-86) Medium relevance
  • Sand City Zoning Code (§32-16) Medium relevance
  • Sand City Zoning Code (§33-1) Medium relevance
  • CBC § 18.62.060 (§ 18.62.060.) Medium relevance
  • Sand City Zoning Code (§9-6) Medium relevance
  • Sand City Zoning Code (§32-16) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Frequently asked questions

Do I always need a landscape plan for a Sand City project?

If your project requires site plan approval, a conditional use permit, a PUD, coastal development permit, or falls into districts that explicitly call for landscape plan approval, then yes — a detailed landscape plan is required under § 18.62.050; several district rules (for example § 18.19.050 for commercial projects) specifically require landscape-plan approval and a minimum 5% landscape area where applicable.

What are the Sand City fence height rules for a front yard?

Front-yard fences and hedges are limited to 30 inches in height under the code’s fence rules for the listed districts; taller fences (up to 8 ft) are allowed behind front-setback lines or in side/rear yards in many commercial/industrial districts per § 18.62.060(A).

When must I screen a parking lot, and how high must the screen be?

Off-street parking areas for more than five vehicles that adjoin or face any residential district (R district) must be effectively screened by a visual barrier (evergreen hedge, solid fence, masonry screen wall or dune berm) not less than 4 ft nor more than 6 ft in height per § 18.64.060(A).

Can I use chain‑link fence as a screen?

The code defines wire mesh fencing (chain link, Cyclone) but treats it differently than solid screening. For outdoor industrial storage abutting residences the code specifically requires a 7 ft Cyclone fence with diagonal redwood slats when that requirement is triggered (first-time development or discretionary permit) — so bare chain link is generally not acceptable as the required opaque screen in that circumstance (§ 18.62.060(B); definitions in § 18.04.550). Verify material treatments with staff.

Do coastal/habitat overlay projects require special planting?

Yes. Projects in the CZ RM and certain coastal overlay areas must use native coastal plants and may need a biological field survey and habitat protection plan before approval; see § 18.52.030(C). If your project abuts dunes a botanist may need to specify setbacks.

What must a landscape plan include in Sand City?

A required landscape plan must show the location, type and size of all plant materials and groundcovers, any mounding (1-foot contour lines), the irrigation system layout (permanent irrigation required for planters >200 sq ft), and details for screen fences, walls or trellises, per § 18.62.050(C).

If I have outdoor storage next to homes, what screening is required?

Outdoor storage that abuts a residential district must be enclosed by a screen fence of seven feet or more and that screen is specified as Cyclone fencing with diagonal redwood slats when the requirement is triggered (for first-time site development or discretionary permit) — see § 18.62.060(B) and the CZ IP outdoor‑storage rules.

Does the design review committee check landscaping?

Yes. Projects in the DC (Design Control) overlay must submit drawings showing proposed landscaping and the design committee will review landscape treatment as part of the design permit process; see § 18.58.020–030. See the city’s Sand City Design Review page for process guidance.

Are landscape irrigation and maintenance required?

Yes. The code requires irrigation provisions for planter sections (permanent irrigation for planter areas >200 sq ft; recommended automatic timing for areas >750 sq ft) and continuous maintenance of landscaping in a healthy, weed-free condition under § 18.62.050(H–I).

Where do I confirm a parcel‑specific fence/setback requirement?

District chapters and overlay rules call out interface setbacks (residential interface, dune interface). Those are parcel‑specific; you should confirm setback and buffer requirements with planning staff during pre-application review (examples: § 18.19.040(b–c) for commercial and § 18.42.040(B) for CZ IP).

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