Signal Hill — Landscaping and Screening

Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the Signal Hill zoning/planning ordinance requires for landscaping and screening (trees, planting, fences, walls, parking-lot planting, and screening of utilities/mechanical equipment). It is drawn directly from the Signal Hill Municipal Code subsections governing specific plans, overlay districts, and district standards; every rule below is tied to the ordinance text (see Source References). For questions about permits, consult the city's site plan and design review process and parking rules early in design. See the city's general Signal Hill zoning & planning overview for context and the Signal Hill Zoning menu for district maps.

How to read this page

• Bold = terms you will scan for (district names, numeric standards).
• Every requirement quoted or summarized is rooted in an ordinance § (citation shown) and the file search result that contained it. Verify site- or parcel-specific interpretations with the Community Development Department.

District-by-district landscaping & screening rules

Note: the code places most landscaping and screening rules in district chapters and in several Specific Plans and Overlay chapters. Below are the Signal Hill districts / plan areas with ordinance text relevant to landscaping/screening; each subsection lists purpose (where the ordinance states one), typical/affected uses if present in the text, key landscaping or screening standards, and where the rule applies. All quoted standards include the controlling § and the file-search citation.

SP-24 — SP-24 (Town Center Northwest Specific Plan)

• Purpose / where used: SP-24 establishes design, landscape, parking, and screening rules for the Town Center Northwest Specific Plan area; the landscaping rules apply to all parcels in SP-24. See § 20.46.100 for the landscape rules.
• Typical uses referenced in the SP-24 text: mixed commercial and residential within the specific plan (see other SP-24 sections for density and building standards). Not all permitted uses are restated in the landscaping section. Verify permitted uses in SP-24 text elsewhere. Not found in retrieved materials.
• Key landscaping/screening standards:
  • A permanent irrigation system and maintained landscaping required between any property line abutting a public right-of-way and the building (§ 20.46.100) .
  • Minimum landscaped area: 10% of the total SP-24 area must be landscaped (parking-lot landscaping does not count toward this 10%) (§ 20.46.100) .
  • Plant sizing and container standards: minimum container sizes and mix requirements (e.g., 15-gallon interior trees; 24-inch box for street trees; 24-inch boxes to be at least 35% of trees) (§ 20.46.100) .
  • Surface parking landscaping: 10% of every parking lot must be landscaped in SP-24 (trees, shrubs, groundcover; automatic irrigation required) (§ 20.46.100) .
  • Screening of mechanical equipment and utilities required; rooftop equipment screening standards provided elsewhere in the SP (see § 20.46.070–100) (§ 20.46.100 and related) .

Practical note: SP-24 combines water-conserving planting rules (comply with Chapter 13.10) and LID stormwater requirements for landscape areas; include LID elements in landscape plans (§ 20.46.100) .

Storage / Yard Overlay — 20.21 (Storage/Industrial Overlay)

• Purpose / where used: an overlay to improve the appearance and maintenance of storage yards and parking lots in the district — the code calls for fencing, screening, and landscaping upgrades. § 20.21.020–090 govern this overlay.
• Typical uses: existing storage yards and parking lots (the overlay is specifically targeted at those uses).
• Key standards:
  • Required setbacks for parking/storage yards are specified (e.g., parking lot setback 5 ft from future ROW in some subsections) (§ 20.21.030) .
  • Fences/gates at storage yards must include durable slats or mesh that screens the yard (§ 20.21.050(C)) and must meet construction/maintenance standards (§ 20.22.040 also provides standards for storage-yard fences).
  • Minimum landscape package for existing storage yards/parking lots: per each 50 linear feet of storage yard fencing, specific plant counts are required (for example: 1–15 gallon tree, 2–5 gallon vines, 12–15 gallon shrubs, automatic irrigation, mulch) (§ 20.21.060) .
  • Compliance plans, painting, and maintenance schedules are required for properties in the overlay (§ 20.21.070–090) .

Practical note: If your property is in this overlay, a compliance plan with a detailed landscape plan (tree/shrub species and irrigation) is mandatory and the director reviews timelines for implementation (§ 20.21.090–100) .

General Industrial Specific Plan — (General Industrial / Specific Plan chapters, e.g., § 20.39)

• Purpose / where used: applies to the General Industrial Specific Plan area (development and maintenance of industrial parcels). See § 20.39.040–060 for development, design, and setback rules.
• Typical uses: industrial uses, outdoor storage, parking, truck access. Not a residential standard. Not found in retrieved materials for specific permitted uses in the snippet.
• Key standards:
  • Required yards must be open and landscaped and minimum landscaping along California Avenue setback (§ 20.39.060(D)) — California Ave requires a 10 ft fully landscaped setback (§ 20.39.060(D)) .
  • Street-side setbacks and parking-lot landscaping and durable landscape/wall/fence materials are called out in design standards (§ 20.39.040) .
  • Screening and high-quality materials for walls/fences required as part of design review (§ 20.39.040(C)) .

Commercial / Industrial District standards — (Commercial/Industrial fence & screening: § 20.32.110)

• Purpose / where used: establishes fence, wall, and hedge standards that apply in commercial and industrial districts. § 20.32.110 contains the fence-height, corner visibility, and measuring rules.
• Key standards:
  • Permitted fences/walls/hedges generally up to 6 ft at rear and side property lines; front-yard and street-side maximums are lower (commercial front yard max 4 ft; industrial front yard max 3 ft) (§ 20.32.110(D)) .
  • The director may allow heights above 6 ft where unusual site conditions exist but never above 10 ft (§ 20.32.110(E)) .
  • Measurement is from the highest finished grade on either side of the fence/wall (§ 20.32.110(A–B)) .

Multi‑family / Project‑level standards (various chapters: § 20.37.100, § 20.33.110, § 20.35.100, § 20.41.260, § 20.28.140)

• Purpose / where used: many residential project chapters set consistent rules for fences/walls/hedges, front-yard visibility, plant sizes and irrigation, and required landscaped open space. Example sections include § 20.37.100 and § 20.41.260.
• Key standards (applies where those chapter ordinances govern a project):
  • Fences, walls and hedges up to 6 ft at rear/side yards; 4 ft maximum in front yards (common across multiple residential chapters) (§ 20.37.100, § 20.41.260, § 20.35.100, § 20.33.110) .
  • Exceptions for alley or special conditions may allow up to 8–9 ft in limited locations with director approval (§ 20.41.260(B)) .
  • Landscaping requirements frequently require automatic irrigation, minimum container sizes for trees (15-gallon interior minimum; 24-inch box for street trees), 100% groundcover coverage within one year, and drought-tolerant plant palettes (Chapter 13.10 referenced) (§ 20.41.865, § 20.46.100, and others) .
  • Turf limitations: turf is not preferred; maximum living turf percentages appear in multiple specific plan sections (e.g., 30% maximum living turf for certain SPs) and turf replacement rules reference Chapter 13.10 (water conservation) (§ 20.41.865, § 20.41.870, § 20.46.100) .

Specific-use screening examples

• Screening of tennis courts: all courts visible from public streets must be screened by landscaping and the landscaping/irrigation plan must be submitted to the Director (§ 20.51.040) .
• Screening of ground-mounted/mechanical equipment and utility appurtenances: many specific plan chapters require screening plant material and/or built screening to hide air conditioners, meters and backflow preventers; rooftop equipment should be set behind parapet walls where possible (§ 20.26.120, § 20.46.070, § 20.46.100) .

Quick reference table — decision‑relevant standards

(Where two different numeric standards appear in different plan chapters, the table shows the plan-specific number and the controlling § and citation — verify which plan or chapter applies to your parcel.)

Checklist — what an applicant must provide (typical)

• Submit a landscape and irrigation plan for review by the Director that shows species, sizes (containers), spacing, and irrigation (required by multiple SPs) (§ 20.46.100) .
• For storage-yard overlays, include a compliance plan with fence details, planting list per 50 linear feet, and irrigation (§ 20.21.060, § 20.21.090) .
• Provide parking-lot planting calculations showing the percent of area that is landscape (5% or 10% as required by the applicable chapter/SP) and detail vehicle overhang limits (§ 20.26.L, § 20.46.100) .
• Show screening of mechanical/utility equipment consistent with SP and chapter rules (parapet walls, plant screens) and include maintenance commitments (§ 20.26.120, § 20.46.100) .
• Tree placement plan demonstrating deep‑rooted species or root barriers within 10 ft of paved surfaces and 10‑ft clearance from streetlight/water/sewer/hydrant equipment (§ 20.46.100) .
• Fences/walls plan showing heights measured from highest finished grade, materials (masonry for walls, galvanized steel with slats for fences where required), and any decorative elements (director approval for above-height embellishments) (e.g., § 20.37.100, § 20.22.040, § 20.32.110) .
• If in a Specific Plan area or overlay, show compliance with water-conserving landscape requirements (Chapter 13.10) and LID/stormwater treatment where required (§ 20.46.100, Chapter 13.10) .
• Confirm any required site plan and design review submittals; fences/walls and landscaping often require design review approval (§ 20.52.010) .

Note: For parking standards and layout, coordinate with the city's Signal Hill Parking page and the site plan and design review process at Signal Hill Design Review.

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain‑English summary

Signal Hill requires landscape and screening plans for most developments. Expect to install automatic irrigation, plant drought‑tolerant trees and shrubs of minimum sizes (15‑gal interior; 24" box street trees), limit turf, and meet parking‑lot planting minimums (often 5% or 10% depending on the applicable plan). Fences are typically limited to 6 ft in rear/side yards and 4 ft in front yards unless a specific chapter allows an alternate height; many storage yards and specific plan areas require durable screening (slats, masonry walls) and compliance plans. Always submit landscape and fence/wall details to the director for site plan and design review; verify which specific plan or chapter applies to your parcel. Key ordinance citations include § 20.46.100, § 20.21.050–060, § 20.32.110, § 20.37.100, and § 20.51.040.

Source References

• § 20.46.100 (SP-24 Landscape standards — irrigation, minimum landscape area, parking-lot landscape, tree sizes, LID/stormwater references)
• § 20.21.030, § 20.21.050, § 20.21.060 (Storage‑yard overlay: setbacks, fencing screening, and per‑50‑ft planting minimums)
• § 20.26.120 (Mechanical equipment — landscape screening for first-floor AC vents and utility screening references)
• § 20.51.040 (Landscaping and screening of courts visible from public streets)
• § 20.32.110 (Fences, walls and hedges in commercial/industrial districts)
• § 20.37.100 (Fences, walls and hedges in a multi‑family chapter)
• § 20.28.140 (Fences, walls and hedges — newer chapter language; front‑setback transparency requirements)
• § 20.41.865 and related (Landscape materials, turf replacement, and hardscape limits)
• § 20.22.040 (Standards for storage-yard fences and Exhibit of acceptable fences)
• Multiple SP and chapter extracts referencing plant sizes, irrigation, turf limits, and LID/stormwater: see files with § 20.46.100, § 20.41.865, and related plan text.

Other internal resources to consult while preparing plans:

• Signal Hill Development Standards — coordinate dimensional and material standards with landscape plans.
• Signal Hill Parking — parking layout influences parking-lot landscaping calculations.
• Signal Hill Design Review — fences, walls, and landscaping frequently require design review approval.
• Signal Hill Overlay Districts — confirm overlay provisions (e.g., storage-yard overlay).
• Signal Hill ADUs — if proposing an ADU, verify which parcel-level landscaping rules still apply.
• California Building Standards Code — for building/mechanical screening coordination with building-code requirements.

Retrieved passages

• Signal Hill Zoning Code (Chapter 12.16) High relevance show source text
• Signal Hill Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance show source text
• Signal Hill Zoning Code (Chapter 20.52) High relevance show source text
• CFC § 150 (section is) High relevance show source text
• Signal Hill Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance show source text
• Signal Hill Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance show source text
• Signal Hill Zoning Code (Chapter 13.10.) High relevance show source text
• Signal Hill Zoning Code (chapter by) High relevance show source text
• Signal Hill Zoning Code (§ 4) High relevance show source text
• Signal Hill Zoning Code (Chapter 12.16) High relevance show source text
• Signal Hill Zoning Code (§ 4) High relevance show source text
• Signal Hill Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance show source text
• Signal Hill Zoning Code (Chapter 12.16) High relevance show source text

Cited sections

• **§ 20.46.100** (SP-24 Landscape standards — irrigation, minimum landscape area, parking-lot landscape, tree sizes, LID/stormwater references) (§ 20.46.100)
• **§ 20.21.030**, **§ 20.21.050**, **§ 20.21.060** (Storage‑yard overlay: setbacks, fencing screening, and per‑50‑ft planting minimums) fileciteturn1file1turn1file8 (§ 20.21.030)
• **§ 20.26.120** (Mechanical equipment — landscape screening for first-floor AC vents and utility screening references) (§ 20.26.120)
• **§ 20.51.040** (Landscaping and screening of courts visible from public streets) (§ 20.51.040)
• **§ 20.32.110** (Fences, walls and hedges in commercial/industrial districts) (§ 20.32.110)
• **§ 20.37.100** (Fences, walls and hedges in a multi‑family chapter) (§ 20.37.100)
• **§ 20.28.140** (Fences, walls and hedges — newer chapter language; front‑setback transparency requirements) (§ 20.28.140)
• **§ 20.41.865** and related (Landscape materials, turf replacement, and hardscape limits) (§ 20.41.865)
• **§ 20.22.040** (Standards for storage-yard fences and Exhibit of acceptable fences) (§ 20.22.040)
• Multiple SP and chapter extracts referencing plant sizes, irrigation, turf limits, and LID/stormwater: see files with **§ 20.46.100**, **§ 20.41.865**, and related plan text. fileciteturn1file5turn1file16 (chapter extracts)
• Signal Hill Development Standards — coordinate dimensional and material standards with landscape plans.
• Signal Hill Parking — parking layout influences parking-lot landscaping calculations.
• Signal Hill Design Review — fences, walls, and landscaping frequently require design review approval.
• Signal Hill Overlay Districts — confirm overlay provisions (e.g., storage-yard overlay).
• Signal Hill ADUs — if proposing an ADU, verify which parcel-level landscaping rules still apply.
• California Building Standards Code — for building/mechanical screening coordination with building-code requirements.
• SignalHill_ZoningCode.md

• Official Signal Hill code library