South Pasadena — Landscaping and Screening

Last reviewed: July 3, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the South Pasadena Zoning Code requires for landscaping, screening, fences/walls, and tree/planting controls. It is strictly drawn from the City’s Zoning Code (Title 36 of the South Pasadena Municipal Code) and related development standards; where the Code prescribes a rule I cite the controlling §. For related topics see the city’s pages on parking, design review, overlay districts, ADUs, and the state California Building Standards Code.

Key Code Requirements (plain-English)

• A formal landscape program called Division 36.330 (Landscaping Standards) governs when a landscape plan is required, where planting must be located, maintenance, and the Water‑Efficiency triggers for landscape projects (§ 36.330.010–.060) .
• Screening standards require a minimum 6‑foot opaque screen (plants and/or masonry/wood) where a nonresidential use adjoins a residential zone; screening design requires Design Review (§ 36.300.070) .
• Fence and wall heights are regulated by Table 3‑2: 3 ft maximum in front/street side setbacks, 6 ft in side/rear setbacks (with administrative approval to go to 8 ft in many cases); 8 ft maximum where a nonresidential district abuts residential (§ 36.300.050) .
• Parking lot landscaping (shade trees and planter sizing) and specific planting ratios (e.g., canopy trees: ~1 tree per 4 spaces; planters min 5'×5') are required in the parking standards and must comply with Division 36.330 (§ 36.310.xx; see § 36.310.080 and Division 36.330) .
• Mechanical equipment, refuse, loading, and outdoor storage must be screened from public view and adjacent residential areas, with screening to be architecturally compatible (§ 36.300.070(C–E)) .

District-by-district breakdown

Below I synthesize the Zoning Code’s district structure and the landscaping/screening expectations that apply in each district. When the Code defers to other parts of Title 36 (for setbacks, parking, design rules), I note that and cite the controlling §. Always verify the exact parcel zoning on the City’s Zoning Map (§ 36.200.020) .

RE, RS, RM, RH (Residential districts)

• Purpose / where used: These are the City’s residential districts (from rural/estate to high‑density); see Tables 2‑3 and Division 36.220 for details and allowable densities (§ 36.220.010–.050) .
• Typical permitted uses: single‑family and multi‑family housing varies by sub‑zone (see Table 2‑3).
• Landscaping & screening highlights: Required landscaping for new development or for additions that meet the Division 36.330 thresholds (new development or additions at or above 25% triggers) and front/setback planting rules apply; front setbacks, allowed projections, and sight‑distance planting limitations also apply (§ 36.330.020; § 36.300.030) .
• Key dimensional standards (residential table summary): front setbacks and lot sizes vary by residential zone—refer to Table 2‑3 in the Code for parcel‑specific numbers (§ 36.220; Table 2‑3) .

CO, CG, BP (Commercial / Business districts)

• Purpose / where used: Corridors, neighborhood centers, business parks; development standards in Division 36.230.
• Typical permitted uses: Retail, offices, services — uses listed in the commercial tables (§ 36.230.030).
• Landscaping & screening highlights: Where commercial or industrial uses adjoin residential zones, the 6‑ft opaque screen requirement applies (§ 36.300.070(B)) . Commercial parking lots must provide landscaped planters and canopy trees per parking standards (§ 36.310) . Gas station special rules require planters and a 6‑ft masonry wall where the station abuts residential (§ 36.350.090) .

CF, OS (Special purpose: Community Facilities, Open Space)

• Purpose / where used: Public/quasi‑public, parks, natural open space (§ 36.240.020) .
• Landscaping & buffering: The Code says CF/OS projects are handled case‑by‑case and may include buffering between structures and adjacent residential uses; development review will set landscaping/buffering expectations (§ 36.240.040(A)) .

DTSP, HFSP (Specific Plan districts)

• Where used: Downtown and Holy Family Specific Plan areas. Standards for landscaping and setbacks may be in the respective specific plans; the Zoning Code defers to those plans for DTSP/HFSP details (§ 36.240.040(B–C)) .

Overlay districts — AM (Altos de Monterey), MU (Mixed Use), HO (Housing Opportunity), CDC (Camino del Cielo)

• Purpose / where used: Overlays add site‑specific rules on top of base zones (§ 36.250.010–.020) .
• AM: The AM Overlay has its own table with explicit fence height rules and restates that landscaping must comply with Division 36.330; front yard fence limitations and side/rear fences of 6 ft are spelled out in the AM standards (Table 2‑7) .
• MU / HO / CDC: Projects in overlays must meet base district standards plus overlay requirements; HO allows higher densities but still requires compliance with Division 36.330 and with any applicable objective design standards (§ 36.250.040–.050) .

One decision‑relevant table (quick reference)

Practical guidance / interpretation (original synthesis)

• If you are building new or adding more than 25% to an existing structure you should budget for a full Landscape Plan and possibly a separate Landscape Permit under the City’s Water‑Efficient Landscape rules (§ 36.330.020–.030) .
• When a commercial or industrial parcel sits next to homes, expect to design a 6‑foot opaque screen and to take that screening through Design Review—the Review Authority can require plantings next to the wall or select materials to match the project (§ 36.300.070(A–C)) . Link your screening package to the design review approval path.
• Fences in the front yard are strictly limited to 3 ft in height for visibility/sight‑distance reasons; don’t assume you can build a high front wall without an administrative modification or variance (§ 36.300.050) . For side/rear yard walls, administrative approval can allow up to 8 ft in many cases (§ 36.300.050, Table 3‑2) .
• Parking design must show trees and planters sized per the parking chapter; treat planting islands as required parking features, not optional decoration (§ 36.310 and Division 36.330) . Link to the City’s parking standards when preparing plans.
• For properties in overlays (for example AM overlay), check the overlay table first—overlay rules can add or alter fence and landscaping requirements (§ 36.250.030; AM table) .

Checklist (what an applicant must satisfy)

• Prepare a written Landscape Plan covering required areas (public‑facing areas for SF homes; all required landscaped areas for other development) and submit with land‑use entitlement (§ 36.330.030) .
• Determine whether the project triggers the Water‑Efficient Landscape Ordinance (new construction, or re‑landscaped area ≥2,500 sq ft for certain projects) and submit the Landscape Concept/Permit to the Director/Review Authority as required (§ 36.330.020) .
• If the site includes nonresidential‑to‑residential adjacency, design a 6‑ft opaque screen and include that in Design Review submittal (§ 36.300.070(B)) .
• Show compliance with Table 3‑2 fence/wall heights on site plans (3 ft front; 6 ft side/rear; note admin modification limits to 8 ft) (§ 36.300.050) .
• For parking lots, provide planting islands, canopy trees (typ. 1 per 4 spaces), and 5'×5' minimum planters shown on the site plan (§ 36.310.080; Division 36.330) .
• Show screening of mechanical equipment, refuse, and outdoor storage from streets and adjacent residential zones and include materials/planting details (§ 36.300.070(C–E)) .
• Include a maintenance program and, if required, surety (bond or deposit) for plant establishment per § 36.330.030(C–D) .
• Coordinate any street tree work with Parks & Recreation where required and confirm compliance with sight‑distance rules (36 inches max in visibility triangles) (§ 36.300.030; SPMC 31.48 cited) .

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain-English Summary

If you are building or doing a substantial addition in South Pasadena, you will likely need a Landscape Plan and must follow Division 36.330 (landscaping), build fences and walls within the Table 3‑2 limits (3 ft front, 6 ft side/rear, admin exceptions to 8 ft), provide a 6‑ft opaque screen where commercial meets residential, and show parking lot trees and planters per the parking rules — all of which are reviewed under the city's design‑review procedures (§ 36.330; § 36.300.050; § 36.300.070; § 36.310) .

Source References

• Division 36.330.010–.060, Landscaping Standards (purpose, applicability, plan approval, location, maintenance, education) — § 36.330.010–.060 .
• 36.330.030, Landscape Plan Approval Required — § 36.330.030 .
• 36.300.070, Screening (6‑ft screen between nonresidential/residential; equipment/refuse/outdoor storage screening) — § 36.300.070 .
• 36.300.050, Walls, Fences, and Hedges (Table 3‑2 fence/wall height limits, measurement rules, prohibited materials) — § 36.300.050 .
• Parking lot landscaping (planter sizing, tree ratio) and parking design references — Division 36.310 (esp. § 36.310.080) and cross‑reference to landscaping Division 36.330 .
• AM Overlay (Altos de Monterey) table showing fence/landscape references and overlay rules — § 36.250.030 and Table 2‑7 (AM) .
• Zoning map and district authority — § 36.200.020 (Zoning Map and Districts) .
• Design review cross‑reference (screening requires Design Review) — § 36.410.040 referenced in § 36.300.070(A) (Design Review requirement) .

Retrieved passages

• South Pasadena Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance show source text
• South Pasadena Zoning Code (§ 1.) High relevance show source text
• South Pasadena Zoning Code (Article III) High relevance show source text
• South Pasadena Zoning Code (Article III) High relevance show source text
• South Pasadena Zoning Code High relevance show source text
• South Pasadena Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance show source text
• South Pasadena Zoning Code (Section 36.410.020) High relevance show source text
• South Pasadena Zoning Code High relevance show source text
• South Pasadena Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance show source text
• South Pasadena Zoning Code (§ 1.) Medium relevance show source text
• South Pasadena Zoning Code (Chapter 3) Medium relevance show source text
• South Pasadena Zoning Code (Article 7) Medium relevance show source text
• South Pasadena Zoning Code (Article 1) Medium relevance show source text
• South Pasadena Zoning Code (Section 36.300.030) Medium relevance show source text
• South Pasadena Zoning Code (§ 1.) High relevance show source text
• South Pasadena Zoning Code High relevance show source text
• CBC § 1 (§ 1) High relevance show source text
• South Pasadena Zoning Code (Section 36.310.080) Medium relevance show source text
• South Pasadena Zoning Code (Article 2) Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Division **36.330.010–.060**, Landscaping Standards (purpose, applicability, plan approval, location, maintenance, education) — **§ 36.330.010–.060** . (§ 36.330.010)
• **36.330.030**, Landscape Plan Approval Required — **§ 36.330.030** . (§ 36.330.030)
• **36.300.070**, Screening (6‑ft screen between nonresidential/residential; equipment/refuse/outdoor storage screening) — **§ 36.300.070** . (§ 36.300.070)
• **36.300.050**, Walls, Fences, and Hedges (Table 3‑2 fence/wall height limits, measurement rules, prohibited materials) — **§ 36.300.050** . (§ 36.300.050)
• Parking lot landscaping (planter sizing, tree ratio) and parking design references — **Division 36.310** (esp. § 36.310.080) and cross‑reference to landscaping Division **36.330** . (§ 36.310.080)
• AM Overlay (Altos de Monterey) table showing fence/landscape references and overlay rules — **§ 36.250.030** and Table 2‑7 (AM) . (§ 36.250.030)
• Zoning map and district authority — **§ 36.200.020** (Zoning Map and Districts) . (§ 36.200.020)
• Design review cross‑reference (screening requires Design Review) — **§ 36.410.040** referenced in **§ 36.300.070(A)** (Design Review requirement) . (§ 36.410.040)
• SouthPasadena_ZoningCode.md