Local zoning · Santa Fe Springs

Santa Fe Springs — Landscaping and Screening

Q: What landscaping is required if my property fronts a major street in Santa Fe Springs?

If your property fronts a major or secondary highway , the code requires a larger front-yard landscaping area: for BP and M‑2 contexts this includes grass lawns with undulating berms 2–3 ft high and minimum 24‑inch box trees , and a wider perimeter planting strip ( 20 ft for highways vs. 15 ft on local streets) — see § 155.313(B–C) and § 155.261(B–C) for the specific zone rules .

Q: Do I have to put up a masonry wall where industrial land meets residential in Santa Fe Springs?

Yes — in several industrial zones the code requires a solid masonry wall not less than 6 ft in height along property lines adjoining residential, schools or parks (reduced to 3.5 ft where it adjoins a front yard area). The masonry wall may be replaced by approved screening landscaping with Director approval (§ 155.309–310 , § 155.226 ) .

Q: Can I substitute planting for a required wall or fence?

Yes. The code explicitly allows the required wall to be replaced by suitable screening landscaping so long as the alternative is approved by the Director of Planning and Development and is continuously maintained to the standards referenced in the code (§ 155.310 ) .

Q: How much of my parking lot must be planted?

For zones such as BP and M‑2 , the ordinance requires landscaping equal to 6% of the total parking area; half of that landscaping should be located around the perimeter of the parking area, the rest inside planters (§ 155.313(A) ; § 155.261(A) ) .

Q: Are there species lists for freeway‑adjacent landscaping?

The code includes a planting list for the Freeway Overlay Zone (specific botanical and common names are provided in the ordinance); use that list as the starting point and coordinate final species with Public Works (§ Freeway overlay planting list) .

Landscaping and Screening under the Santa Fe Springs local zoning and planning code, with the controlling citations.

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Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the Santa Fe Springs zoning ordinance requires for landscaping and screening (including buffers, fences/walls, street trees, and screening of mechanical equipment/outdoor storage) under the municipal zoning chapter. It only interprets local code language found in the city zoning text and explains practical effects for applicants; verify parcel-specific rules with City staff. For related procedural topics see the city's zoning & planning overview and the Zoning and Development Standards pages.

Citywide rules that apply across zones (short list)

Landscaping is an allowed encroachment into required yards; fences and walls up to 3.5 ft are permitted in required yard areas; fences/walls over 3.5 ft require Director review and approval (§ 155.455) .
The Planning Commission may grant temporary waivers to required landscaping per the ordinance cross-references (see § 155.313(G) and other zone clauses) .
Where the code requires a masonry wall along certain zone transitions (industrial → residential/park/school), that wall is typically 6 ft tall (with reduced height where it meets a front yard) and may be replaced by approved screening landscaping with Director approval (§§ 155.309, 155.310, 155.286) .
Parkway and street-tree improvements are required to meet the Director of Public Works’ standards and the city’s streetscape/street‑tree rules (§ 155.313(D); § 155.106(B)) — applicants must coordinate with Public Works on species, grates, and wells .

(For how landscaping interacts with parking layouts check the Parking page.)

District-by-district breakdown

The ordinance addresses landscaping/screening differently by zone. Below are the districts and the key landscaping/screening rules the code attaches to them. Bolded district names and controlling sections are shown so you can jump to the exact rules.

Buffer Parking Zone — BP (§ 155.300–155.313)

Purpose / typical uses

BP is a narrow zone type used to provide open space and separation between industrial/commercial areas and sensitive uses; landscaping and off‑street parking are principal permitted uses (§ 155.300, 155.301) .

Key landscaping/screening standards

Where BP adjoins a dedicated street, provide a minimum of 25 sq ft per linear foot of frontage as landscaped area; parking areas must have landscaping equal to 6% of the parking area, split 50/50 between perimeter and interior planters (§ 155.313(A)) .
Frontage landscaping on major/secondary highways must include grass lawn + berms (2–3 ft) and minimum 24‑inch box trees (§ 155.313(B)) .
Perimeter strip between on‑site parking and a local street: 15 ft; on major/secondary highway frontages: 20 ft (§ 155.313(C)) .
Fences/walls in required yards: max 3.5 ft; elsewhere up to 6 ft in BP (§ 155.308) .
Concrete curbs min 6 in along landscaped borders where they adjoin drives/parking (§ 155.313(F)) .
Required walls where BP separates industrial uses from residential/schools/parks: masonry wall 6 ft (3.5 ft at front) — may be substituted with approved screening landscaping (§ 155.309–310) .

Where it applies: BP is used as a mapped overlay to separate industrial parking from adjacent neighborhoods and wherever designated on the official zoning map (§ 155.300) .

Heavy Industrial — M‑2 (§ 155.261 and related)

Purpose / typical uses

The M‑2 zone accommodates heavier industrial activity; the code imposes landscaping and screening when M‑2 fronts streets or abuts other uses (§ 155.261) .

Key landscaping/screening standards

Where M‑2 adjoins a dedicated street: minimum area equal to 25 sq ft per linear foot of frontage must be landscaped; parking area landscaping 6% total (50% perimeter / 50% interior) — landscaping behind the planned street width line and visible from street (§ 155.261(A)) .
Front yard landscaping on major/secondary highways: grass + 2–3 ft berms + 24‑inch box trees (§ 155.261(B)) .
On local streets require 15 ft landscaping strip between parking and property line; 20 ft for major/secondary highway frontages (§ 155.261(C)) .
Outdoor storage must be screened on all sides by a minimum 6‑ft solid fence/wall, compact landscaping, or structures sufficient to completely conceal storage from adjacent properties/public streets (§ 155.261(C)) .
Roof‑mounted mechanical equipment visible from streets must be screened consistent with building architecture (§ 155.261(A)) .
Concrete curb min 6 in required on landscaped borders next to drives (§ 155.261(F)) .

Where it applies: City parcels zoned M‑2 (see the zoning map) and where that zone fronts streets or abuts other districts.

Light/General Industrial — M‑1, ML (examples: §§ 155.231–155.232; § 155.201)

Purpose / typical uses

M‑1 and ML zones expect industrial uses but require compatibility measures when next to non‑industrial zones (screening, landscaping). The code repeats many of the screening/outdoor storage requirements found in M‑2 and BP (§ 155.231, 155.201) .

Key landscaping/screening standards

Outdoor storage must be neat, orderly, and screened on all sides by a minimum 6‑ft solid fence/wall, compact landscaping or structures (§ 155.231(C); § 155.201(D)(2)) .
Required masonry walls along M‑1/PF boundaries: 6 ft where adjoining residential/agriculture (may be replaced by approved landscaping) (§ 155.226) .

Public Facilities — PF (§ 155.290 and § 155.291)

Purpose / typical uses

PF covers parks, schools, civic facilities. Landscaping standards emphasize street frontage planting and parkway improvements (§ 155.290) .

Key landscaping/screening standards

Where PF adjoins a dedicated street: 10 sq ft per linear foot of frontage must be landscaped, behind planned street width line and visible from the street (§ 155.290(A)) .
Fences/walls located within 20 ft of front or (for corner lots) side property lines must have the entire area between the fence/wall and the property line landscaped (§ 155.290(C)) .
Outdoor storage/uses must be screened with minimum 6‑ft solid fence/wall or compact landscaping (§ 155.291(C)) .

Planned Development — PD (§ 155.325–327)

Purpose / typical uses

PD is an overlay/superimposed zone allowing project‑specific deviations while maintaining high design standards (§ 155.325–327) .

Key landscaping/screening standards

PD provisions are in addition to underlying zone rules; the Planning Commission may require greater setbacks or additional landscaping for compatibility (§ 155.326, § 155.327(3)) .

Streetfront / Mixed‑use design standards (newer chapter) — setbacks & planted setback percentages (§ 155.175.5)

Key standards

For many streetfront/mixed‑use contexts the code mandates a percentage of setback area be planted (Table 3): typically 30–50% depending on frontage and use; interior setbacks to residential zones: 15 ft (§ 155.175.5(B–C)) .
Fences/hedges/walls height rules for contemporary projects: 3.5 ft in front and street side yards; 7 ft elsewhere; barbed/chain/razor wire prohibited (§ 155.175.8) .
Screening mechanical equipment and roof‑top equipment requirements are called out (§ 155.175.9) .

Freeway Overlay Zone / freeway corridors

Purpose / emphasis

The Freeway Overlay Zone and related freeway corridor policies emphasize visual buffering, soundwall design, and heavy landscaping (including a stated planting list for the overlay) to mitigate freeway impacts (sound/visual) (§ references to freeway overlay, soundwalls, planting list) .

Key landscaping/screening standards

Soundwalls must be designed with a unifying theme, avoid long blank walls, use earth‑tone colors, and include relief/relief + vines or varied materials; undecorated block walls are prohibited in freeway corridors (§ Freeway Overlay design guidance excerpts) .
A planting list of species recommended for the Freeway Overlay is included in the code (trees such as Quercus agrifolia, Platanus, Jacaranda, palms and others) — use the city list for conceptual design and coordinate species selection with Public Works (§ planting list) .

Quick reference table — most decision‑relevant standards

Topic	Rule / requirement	Code Reference
Landscape area along a dedicated street (BP, M‑2)	25 sq ft per linear foot of frontage (BP & M‑2)	§ 155.313(A); § 155.261(A)
Parking area landscaping	6% of total parking area; 50% perimeter / 50% interior	§ 155.313(A); § 155.261(A)
Landscaping strip between parking and local street	15 ft (local) / 20 ft (major/secondary highway)	§ 155.313(C); § 155.261(C)
Required masonry wall where industrial abuts residential	6 ft (solid masonry) — 3.5 ft at front yard; may be replaced by approved landscaping	§ 155.309; § 155.310; § 155.226
Fences/walls in required yard	Max 3.5 ft (required yard); >3.5 ft requires Director approval	§ 155.455(2–3); § 155.175.8
Concrete curb for landscape beds next to drives	Minimum 6 in	§ 155.313(F); § 155.261(F)
Screening outdoor storage	Minimum 6 ft solid fence/wall or compact landscaping to fully conceal	§ 155.261(C); § 155.231(C); § 155.291(C)
Setback planting percentage (mixed‑use design)	30–50% depending on frontage/use (see Table 3)	§ 155.175.5(B) (Table 3)

Checklist (what to submit / satisfy for a landscaping/screening proposal)

Provide a landscape plan that shows square footage of planting per frontage and the 25 sq ft/lf or 10 sq ft/lf calculations where applicable and the 6% parking landscaping calculation (cite the applicable zone code) (§ 155.313, § 155.261) .
Show any required masonry walls (6 ft) or, if substituting planting, include the screening planting palette and maintenance plan and request Director approval (§ 155.309–310) .
Note fence/wall heights in all yards; if any exceed 3.5 ft in required front/side yards, submit a Director review justification (§ 155.455) .
Identify outdoor storage/trash locations and show 6‑ft screening treatments if required (§ 155.261(C); § 155.291(C)) .
Show street trees, tree wells and parkway improvements per Director of Public Works (coordinate species and grates) (§ 155.313(D); § 155.106(B)) .
Show concrete curbs 6 in where beds meet drives/parking (§ 155.313(F)) .
For freeway‑adjacent sites, incorporate soundwall design and planting list recommendations where applicable and note materials/colors (§ Freeway overlay guidance) .
If requesting a temporary waiver of landscaping, reference the waiver provisions and provide justification (see § 155.313(G) and § 155.557) .

(If your project will require design review or a variance, show how landscaping ties to those approvals.)

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Which exact zone applies to a parcel	Rules (e.g., BP vs. M‑2) change required landscape area and wall requirements	Verify parcel zoning on the official map and with Planning; zoning references in §§ 155.300, 155.261, 155.313
Director vs. Commission authority (fence >3.5 ft, waivers)	A Director approval is quicker, but the Commission can grant waivers — affects timeline	Confirm whether Director can approve your specific exception or if Planning Commission action is required (see § 155.455(3); § 155.313(G))
Exact content of §§ 155.545–155.559 (maintenance/standards referenced repeatedly)	Many substitution and maintenance allowances point to this block of sections	The references exist but full text for §§ 155.545–155.559 was not present in retrieved materials — Verify maintenance standards with Planning (Not found in retrieved materials).
Freeway overlay planting/species suitability	The code lists species for the overlay, but local Public Works/species rules may change	Use the city's planting list as guidance (§ Freeway overlay planting list) and confirm selections with Public Works (§ 155.175/Freeway guidance)
Interaction with parking standards	Landscaping requirements are tied to parking layouts (6% rule) and can reduce stall area	Coordinate landscape layout with Parking standards and cite § 155.313(A); verify counting methods with Planning/Engineering

Plain-English Summary

Santa Fe Springs requires visible, maintained landscaping on many commercial, industrial, and public sites — expect to provide wide planting strips along streets, tree planting, curbed planters adjacent to parking, and screening (6‑ft walls or plantings) where heavy uses meet residential or public spaces; small front‑yard fences are limited to 3.5 ft without Director approval and many substitutions and waivers require Planning or Director sign‑off (§§ 155.313, 155.261, 155.309–310, 155.455) .

Source References

Santa Fe Springs Municipal Code (Zoning excerpts) — § 155.313 (BP landscaping)
Santa Fe Springs Municipal Code — § 155.261 (M‑2 landscaping/screening and related conditions)
Santa Fe Springs Municipal Code — § 155.309, § 155.310 (required walls, substitution of landscaping)
Santa Fe Springs Municipal Code — § 155.455 (required yards; fence height; Director review)
Santa Fe Springs Municipal Code — § 155.290–291 (PF zone landscaping and screening)
Santa Fe Springs Municipal Code — § 155.226 (M‑1 required walls)
Santa Fe Springs Municipal Code — § 155.175.5–9 (newer setback landscaping percentages; permitted fences; screening)
Santa Fe Springs Municipal Code — Freeway Overlay / soundwall and planting guidance (design and planting list)

Sources

Retrieved passages

Santa Fe Springs Zoning Code (§ 155.557.) High relevance
Santa Fe Springs Zoning Code (chapter may) High relevance
Santa Fe Springs Zoning Code (§ 155.557.) High relevance
Santa Fe Springs Zoning Code (§ 155.175.7) High relevance
Santa Fe Springs Zoning Code (§ 155.641.) High relevance
Santa Fe Springs Zoning Code (§ 48.59) High relevance
Santa Fe Springs Zoning Code (§ 155.382) High relevance
CWUIC § 65850.6 (Title 24) High relevance
Santa Fe Springs Zoning Code (§ 155.557.) High relevance
Santa Fe Springs Zoning Code (§ 48.55) High relevance
Santa Fe Springs Zoning Code (§ 155.557.) High relevance

Cited sections

Official Santa Fe Springs code library

Frequently asked questions

What landscaping is required if my property fronts a major street in Santa Fe Springs?

If your property fronts a major or secondary highway, the code requires a larger front-yard landscaping area: for BP and M‑2 contexts this includes grass lawns with undulating berms 2–3 ft high and minimum 24‑inch box trees, and a wider perimeter planting strip (20 ft for highways vs. 15 ft on local streets) — see § 155.313(B–C) and § 155.261(B–C) for the specific zone rules .

Do I have to put up a masonry wall where industrial land meets residential in Santa Fe Springs?

Yes — in several industrial zones the code requires a solid masonry wall not less than 6 ft in height along property lines adjoining residential, schools or parks (reduced to 3.5 ft where it adjoins a front yard area). The masonry wall may be replaced by approved screening landscaping with Director approval (§ 155.309–310, § 155.226) .

What height can fences and hedges be in a front yard?

Fences, hedges and walls in a required front yard or street side yard are limited to 3.5 ft in height; taller fences require review and approval by the Director of Planning and Development (§ 155.455; § 155.175.8) .

Can I substitute planting for a required wall or fence?

Yes. The code explicitly allows the required wall to be replaced by suitable screening landscaping so long as the alternative is approved by the Director of Planning and Development and is continuously maintained to the standards referenced in the code (§ 155.310) .

How much of my parking lot must be planted?

For zones such as BP and M‑2, the ordinance requires landscaping equal to 6% of the total parking area; half of that landscaping should be located around the perimeter of the parking area, the rest inside planters (§ 155.313(A); § 155.261(A)) .

Do I need to plant street trees or improve the parkway?

Yes. The public parkway adjoining the lot must be improved with sidewalk and/or landscaping including public street trees per the Director of Public Works’ requirements; on major street frontages the Director may require tree wells and specific grates (§ 155.313(D); § 155.106(B)) .

Are there species lists for freeway‑adjacent landscaping?

The code includes a planting list for the Freeway Overlay Zone (specific botanical and common names are provided in the ordinance); use that list as the starting point and coordinate final species with Public Works (§ Freeway overlay planting list) .

If I want an exception to landscaping requirements, who grants it?

Temporary waivers of required landscaping are referenced frequently and the Planning Commission is given authority to grant them where the ordinance allows (see e.g., § 155.313(G)). Some fence/wall exceptions are reviewed by the Director (§ 155.455) — confirm which body applies to your request with Planning .

Are rooftop mechanicals required to be screened from the street?

Yes. Roof‑mounted mechanical equipment that is visible from adjacent property or a public street must be screened by an enclosure consistent with the building architecture (§ 155.261(A); § 155.231(A)) .

Where can I find the standard for planting percentage in setbacks for mixed‑use projects?

Newer mixed‑use/design standards require a percentage of the setback to be planted (Table 3 in § 155.175.5 — typically 30–50% depending on frontage and use); check that table for your project type (§ 155.175.5(B)) . ---

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Santa Fe Springs — Landscaping and Screening

Overview

Citywide rules that apply across zones (short list)

District-by-district breakdown

Buffer Parking Zone — BP (§ 155.300–155.313)

Heavy Industrial — M‑2 (§ 155.261 and related)

Light/General Industrial — M‑1, ML (examples: §§ 155.231–155.232; § 155.201)

Public Facilities — PF (§ 155.290 and § 155.291)

Planned Development — PD (§ 155.325–327)

Streetfront / Mixed‑use design standards (newer chapter) — setbacks & planted setback percentages (§ 155.175.5)

Freeway Overlay Zone / freeway corridors

Quick reference table — most decision‑relevant standards

Checklist (what to submit / satisfy for a landscaping/screening proposal)

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain-English Summary

Source References

Sources

Frequently asked questions

More in Santa Fe Springs code

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