Local zoning · Santa Monica

Santa Monica — Landscaping and Screening

Q: What are the allowable fence and wall heights in front yards?

Fences, walls, and hedges in front setbacks are limited to 42 inches in height; decorative pergolas may be taller under controlled dimensions. To exceed these limits you must follow modification procedures in Chapter 9.43 (§ 9.21.050 ) .

Q: What planting volume is required for trees planted above subterranean parking?

Soil‑volume minima are specified: small trees ~ 120 cu ft , medium ~ 500 cu ft , large ~ 1,000 cu ft ; palm trees require ~250 cu ft with 5 ft depth. These are required where required setback planting sits above subterranean parking (§ 9.26.050(A)(3)(b–e) ) .

Landscaping and Screening under the Santa Monica 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 Monica zoning/planning ordinance requires for landscaping, screening, buffering, fences, walls, hedges, and trees. It is focused only on land‑use/zoning rules in the municipal ordinance (not the California Building Standards Code, permitting process, or tenant law). All requirements below are tied to the City code: Chapter 9.26 (Landscaping), § 9.21.050 (Fences, Walls, and Hedges), § 9.21.140 (Screening), parking standards in Chapter 9.28, and the modification procedures in Chapter 9.43. See the specific § citations in each item for the controlling source and the file excerpt used.

Note: this page uses the City’s district names (for example R-1, R2/R3/R4, NC, GC, MUB/MUBL, IC/OC) as they appear in the ordinance and cites the development‑standards tables that link to the landscaping/screening rules. For design questions that trigger discretionary review, consult the City’s design review guidance: Santa Monica Design Review.

Citywide mandatory elements (what always applies)

A landscape and irrigation plan must be submitted with any permit application for projects that require landscaping (§ 9.26.030) .
All new development parcels are subject to Chapter 9.26; existing parking lots with more than 10 spaces must comply when reconstructed (see § 9.26.020) .
Required front and street-facing side setbacks (except driveway/exit areas) must be landscaped (§ 9.26.050(A)) .
Landscape buffer and screening are required where nonresidential uses abut Residential Districts (trees/shrub counts, minimum widths, and soil‑volume rules for planting over parking) (§ 9.26.050(A)(1–3)) .
Screening standards for parking areas and outdoor storage (height, materials, and planting requirements) are in § 9.21.140, § 9.21.100, and the parking chapter; screening of surface parking from streets and residential parcels has specific heights and allowed materials (§ 9.21.140, parking standards in Chapter 9.28) .
Fences, walls, and hedges have maximum heights tied to location: within front setbacks 42 inches; side/rear setbacks fences/walls 8 feet and hedges 12 feet; Downtown rules are more restrictive (§ 9.21.050) .
Registered, pre‑existing nonconforming fences/walls/hedges have special grandfathering and replacement rules; owners may seek height modifications under Chapter 9.43 (§ 9.21.050(B–C); § 9.43.080) .

District-by-district breakdown

Below are the districts where landscaping/screening requirements are specifically referenced in the development‑standards tables and the ordinance text. For each district we summarize purpose, typical uses, the most relevant landscaping/screening rules, and where those rules apply.

R-1 (Single‑Unit Residential)

Purpose & typical uses: R-1 is for single‑family homes and accessory residential uses (see Table 9.07.030). Landscaping and street trees are required as part of site development. See Section 9.07.030 for the R‑1 table.
Key standards that affect landscaping/screening:
- Required front and street‑side setbacks must be landscaped (§ 9.26.050(A)) .
- Fence/wall/hedge heights in front setbacks are limited to 42 inches (front) and 8 ft in side/rear setbacks; hedges to 12 ft (with alley exceptions) (§ 9.21.050) .
- Hazardous visual obstruction and driveway sightline rules apply to tree and shrub placement (§ 9.21.180) .
Where it applies: parcels zoned R-1 citywide; see Table 9.07.030 for dimensional rules.

R2 / R3 / R4 (Multi‑unit Residential)

Purpose & typical uses: R2, R3, R4 cover increasing multi‑unit density. Landscaping minima and minimum percentage planting areas are set in the multi‑unit development tables (see Table 9.08.030) .
Key standards:
- Minimum planting area percentages and outdoor living areas reference Chapter 9.26 for landscape requirements (§ 9.08.030 cross‑references) .
- Where a nonresidential use adjoins residential, a 5‑foot landscaped buffer and tree/shrub counts apply (§ 9.26.050(A)(1–2)) .
- Fences/walls/hedges height limits and modification procedures apply (§ 9.21.050; Chapter 9.43) .
Where it applies: multi‑unit zoning districts citywide; consult Table 9.08.030 for parcel‑specific dimensional standards.

NC (Neighborhood Commercial) and GC (General Commercial)

Purpose & typical uses: NC and GC accommodate retail, services and mixed uses at varying intensity; landscaping, street trees and buffers are required in the tables for mixed‑use/commercial districts (see Table 9.11.030 and Table 9.11.030.B) .
Key standards:
- Street‑facing setback planting and interior planting minimums are required; many commercial development tables reference Chapter 9.26 for specifics (§ 9.11.030(F); Chapter 9.26) .
- Surface parking next to public streets must have a 5‑foot landscaped buffer unless base‑district standards require more (§ 9.26.050(B)(3)(c)) .
- Screening of parking and outdoor storage is required where visible from streets or residential areas (§ 9.21.140; § 9.21.100) .
Where it applies: parcels in NC/GC designations; see their development standards tables for setbacks, FAR and links to landscaping rules.

MUB / MUBL (Mixed‑Use)

Purpose & typical uses: MUB/MUBL districts encourage ground‑floor commercial with residential above; tables explicitly call out landscaping/ street trees and screening references (§ 9.11.030, Table notes) .
Key standards:
- Build‑to and frontage rules interact with required street‑front landscaping (§ 9.11.030(B–D)) — where build‑to lines are relaxed, pedestrian open space must be landscaped and count toward required landscaping (§ 9.11.030) .
- Parking structure buffers: garages without active ground floor uses must provide a 10‑ft or 15‑ft landscaped buffer depending on garage size (§ 9.26.050(B)(2)) .
Where it applies: mixed‑use corridors (see Table 9.11.030).

IC / OC / Employment Districts

Purpose & typical uses: industrial/employment uses with special development standards; development standards tables for Employment Districts point to Chapter 9.26 and § 9.21.140 for landscaping/screening requirements (Table 9.13.030.A) .
Key standards:
- When commercial/industrial parcels abut residential districts, unexcavated area and landscape buffer rules require at least 50% of those unexcavated areas be landscaped (§ 9.21.180 cross‑references and § 9.21.200) .
- Outdoor storage must be screened from streets/residential areas; screening walls/fences must be architecturally compatible and may not exceed fence‑height limits (§ 9.21.100(B)) .
Where it applies: parcels in employment zones—see Table 9.13.030.A for cross references.

Public and Semi‑Public Districts

Purpose & typical uses: parks, civic uses, schools; the Public District rules require extensive planting in visible setback areas and at least 50% of interior side/rear setbacks be planting areas with minimum widths (Section 9.15.030) .
Key standards:
- Setback areas adjoining streets must be planting or pedestrian amenities (§ 9.15.030(F)(1)) .
- Interior setbacks: at least 50% planting area with minimum width 7.5 ft (reducible to 3 ft in limited cases) (§ 9.15.030(F)(2)) .

Bergamot and Special Overlay Districts (BTV, MUC, CAC, CCS)

Purpose & typical uses: specialized mixed‑use/creative campus districts with their own tables; landscaping and screening are required and cross‑referenced to Chapter 9.26 and § 9.21.140 (see Tables 9.12.030.A/B) .
Key standards:
- Development standards for these districts call out landscaping, street trees, and screening; specific numerical limits (e.g., required open space percentages and planting area minima) are in the Bergamot tables and the chapter cross‑references (§ 9.12.030, Chapter 9.26) .
Where it applies: Bergamot plan area parcels (see Table 9.12.030).

Quick reference table — decision‑relevant standards

Requirement	Typical numeric rule or guidance (Santa Monica)	Code Reference
Landscape & irrigation plan required with permit applications	Plan required for projects needing landscaping	§ 9.26.030
Front/street‑side setbacks must be landscaped	All required front and street‑facing side setbacks (except driveways)	§ 9.26.050(A)
Parking — perimeter landscaped buffer along public street	Minimum 5 ft unless base district requires more	§ 9.26.050(B)(3)(c)
Surface‑parking tree quantity	1 tree per 1,200 sq ft of paved area; canopy target 50% in 10 years	§ 9.26.050(B)(3)(a)
Screening of surface parking (height)	Streetside screening: 3–3.5 ft; interior abutting residential: 5–6 ft; front‑setback screening: 3 ft	Parking standards / § 9.21.140 (parking chapter)
Fence/wall heights (front)	Max 42 in in front setback; pergolas/attachments limited (§ 9.21.050)	§ 9.21.050
Fence/wall heights (side/rear)	Walls/fences 8 ft; hedges 12 ft (alley exception for hedges)	§ 9.21.050
Soil volumes over subterranean parking	Small tree: 120 cu ft; medium: 500 cu ft; large: 1,000 cu ft; palm: 250 cu ft with 5 ft depth	§ 9.26.050(A)(3)(b–e)
Alternative/Director approvals	Director may approve alternative screening/landscape designs or minor modifications (limited relief)	§ 9.26.050(M); Chapter 9.43 (modifications/waivers)

Practical guidance / interpretation (plain‑English synthesis)

If your project adds or relocates landscaping, you will need a landscape and irrigation plan and must design setbacks and buffers that meet the district tables and Chapter 9.26 (§ 9.26.030, § 9.26.050) .
Surface parking visible from the street or from adjacent residential properties must be screened with low walls, open decorative fences with planting, plant screens that reach required height quickly, or berms — the code gives minimum/maximum screening heights (streetside 3–3.5 ft; interior/residential 5–6 ft) and prohibits chain‑link/vinyl for screening (§ 9.21.140; parking standards) .
Fences or hedges higher than the basic limits require owner agreement from neighbors for an administrative modification or a discretionary Director hearing (Chapter 9.43) — this is the standard path to exceed heights (§ 9.43.080) .
Planting over parking decks requires prescribed soil depths and cubic volumes for different tree sizes — budget planting areas and structural soils into garage decks early in the design because meeting § 9.26.050(A)(3) is technical and often triggers engineering review.
Where City tables or overlays place special rules (Downtown, Bergamot, Oceanfront), the district tables reference Chapter 9.26 and may add stricter limits for frontage or transparency — always read the specific district table in the ordinance for parcel‑level differences.

Checklist (what an applicant must satisfy)

Prepare and submit a landscape and irrigation plan with the permit application (§ 9.26.030) .
Show all required landscaped setbacks (front and street‑facing side) on plans (§ 9.26.050(A)) .
If the project includes surface parking, provide: tree counts (1 per 1,200 sq ft), interior planter dimensions, perimeter 5‑ft buffer (or the greater base‑district buffer), and screening details with materials (§ 9.26.050(B); § 9.21.140) .
Demonstrate compliance with fence/wall/hedge heights (front 42 in, side/rear 8 ft, hedges 12 ft) or apply for modification if needed (§ 9.21.050; Chapter 9.43) .
If planting over subterranean parking, document soil depth and cubic feet per tree species and retain an ISA arborist where required (§ 9.26.050(A)(3)) .
Show compliance with hazardous visual obstruction rules where trees/shrubs meet driveways and sightlines (§ 9.21.180) .
If proposing non‑standard screening materials or design, include justification and request Director alternative compliance as necessary (§ 9.21.140(M)) .

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Which district rules control when a parcel crosses district lines	Landscaping/fence rules are applied per district; accessory landscaping may cross boundaries but dimensional standards are district‑based (§ 9.21.040)	Verify parcel map and applicable district table; confirm whether accessory landscaping may sit in the other district (§ 9.21.040)
Exact code reference for parking‑lot screening heights	Screening heights appear in the parking/parking‑design text and reference § 9.21.140	Confirm the applicable parking standard for the specific use (Chapter 9.28) and cite § 9.21.140 for screening details (§ 9.26.050(B) plus parking chapter)
Grandfathered (registered) nonconforming fences/hedges	Registered items retain a historic height but repairs must be in‑kind; replacement timing and proof matter (§ 9.21.050(B–C))	Verify registration status and the Nonconforming Fence/Wall/Hedge Registration Form with the City records (§ 9.21.050(B))
Soil volumes for trees over garages — engineering implications	Required soil volumes are technical and affect garage design and cost (§ 9.26.050(A)(3))	Verify structural design and confirm tree sizes with an ISA arborist per the code (§ 9.26.050(A)(1))
Downtown and overlay exceptions (transparency, build‑to)	Some areas (Downtown Community Plan Area, Bergamot) have stricter frontage/screening rules (§ 9.21.050 Downtown subsection; Bergamot tables)	Check the parcel’s overlay or plan area table (e.g., Bergamot Table 9.12.030) to see special requirements

Plain‑English Summary

Santa Monica's zoning code requires a design‑level landscape and irrigation plan for projects that trigger landscaping, mandates planting in front and street‑facing setbacks, sets minimum tree counts and soil volumes (especially over parking structures), and requires screening of parking and outdoor storage with defined heights and permitted materials; fences and hedges are height‑limited with specific procedures to request taller walls. Always reference Chapter 9.26 (Landscaping), § 9.21.050 (Fences/Walls/Hedges), § 9.21.140 (Screening), and the parking chapter for how these rules apply to your district.

Source References

Santa Monica Municipal Code — Chapter 9.26, Landscaping; see § 9.26.010, § 9.26.020, § 9.26.030, § 9.26.050 for purpose, applicability, landscape plan, and areas to be landscaped.
Santa Monica Municipal Code — § 9.21.050 Fences, Walls, and Hedges (front and side/rear height limits; nonconforming registrations).
Santa Monica Municipal Code — § 9.21.100 Outdoor Storage (screening requirements for storage areas).
Santa Monica Municipal Code — § 9.21.140 / parking chapter excerpts (screening and parking landscaping standards; parking‑lot screening heights and allowed materials).
Santa Monica Municipal Code — Chapter 9.28 (Parking, Loading, and Circulation); parking design and landscaped buffer requirements referenced in § 9.26.050(B).
District development‑standards tables (examples cited): Table 9.07.030 (R‑1), Table 9.08.030 (R2–R4), Table 9.11.030 (Mixed‑Use/Commercial), Table 9.12.030 (Bergamot) — these tables cross‑reference Chapter 9.26 and screening rules.
Modifications and waivers (how to request height or landscaping relief), Chapter 9.43; procedures for fence/wall height modifications (§ 9.43.080) are described in the ordinance.

Also see these GoCodebook internal pages referenced in the text:

Sources

Retrieved passages

Santa Monica Zoning Code High relevance
Santa Monica Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance
Santa Monica Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance
Santa Monica Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance
Santa Monica Zoning Code (Section are) High relevance
CBC § 1 (§ 1) High relevance
Santa Monica Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance
CBC § 2007 High relevance
Santa Monica Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance
Santa Monica Zoning Code (Section shall) High relevance
Santa Monica Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance
Santa Monica Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Official Santa Monica code library

Frequently asked questions

Do I always need a landscape and irrigation plan in Santa Monica?

Yes. A landscape and irrigation plan must be submitted with the permit application for any project that requires landscaping under the zoning ordinance (§ 9.26.030) .

How much planting is required between a commercial parcel and an adjacent residential parcel?

When a nonresidential use is adjacent to a Residential District, the code requires a landscape buffer along the common property line with at least one 15‑gallon tree per 20 lineal feet (with at least 10% of trees as 24‑inch box) and at least 3 shrubs per 20 lineal feet; a 5‑ft landscaped buffer applies to commercial or employment uses (§ 9.26.050(A)(1–2)) .

What are the allowable fence and wall heights in front yards?

Fences, walls, and hedges in front setbacks are limited to 42 inches in height; decorative pergolas may be taller under controlled dimensions. To exceed these limits you must follow modification procedures in Chapter 9.43 (§ 9.21.050) .

How tall can a screening wall or planting be between a parking lot and the street?

Screening of surface parking lots from adjacent public streets must generally be a minimum of 3 ft and a maximum of 3.5 ft; screening along interior parcel lines abutting Residential Districts must be 5–6 ft (except within the front setback where screening is 3 ft) (§ 9.21.140 and parking standards) .

What planting volume is required for trees planted above subterranean parking?

Soil‑volume minima are specified: small trees ~120 cu ft, medium ~500 cu ft, large ~1,000 cu ft; palm trees require ~250 cu ft with 5 ft depth. These are required where required setback planting sits above subterranean parking (§ 9.26.050(A)(3)(b–e)) .

Are chain‑link fences allowed for screening?

No. The code prohibits using chain‑link or vinyl fencing for screening purposes; allowed screening fences are open, decorative types (e.g., wrought iron) combined with planting, or low‑profile walls, planting, berms (§ 9.21.140 / parking screening materials) .

If I have a registered nonconforming hedge at historic height, can I repair it?

Yes — properly registered nonconforming fences, walls, and hedges may be repaired or replaced in‑kind and retain their registered height if replaced within 5 years and in accordance with the registration rules (§ 9.21.050(B–C)) .

Can the Director approve different landscaping if I want an alternative design (e.g., green infrastructure)?

Yes. The Director may approve alternative parking designs and other screening/landscaping plans that meet the intent of the standards, and Chapter 9.43 allows limited modifications (e.g., up to 10% of required landscaping under a Major Modification) (§ 9.21.140(M); Chapter 9.43) .

Where do I check district‑specific frontage and build‑to rules that affect landscaping?

District development standards and build‑to/frontage rules are in the tables for each district (e.g., Tables 9.07.030, 9.08.030, 9.11.030, 9.12.030). Those tables cross‑reference Chapter 9.26 and the screening rules; check the table for your parcel and the Chapter 9.26 text (§ 9.26.050) .

Do I need to consider the California Building Code (Title 24) for guardrail/fence safety?

Yes for safety guardrails: the ordinance allows guardrails to exceed fence height limits only to the minimum extent required by the Building Code; consult the state code for structural/safety requirements (California Building Standards Code). The land‑use limits remain in § 9.21.050. ---

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