Local zoning · Susanville

Susanville — Landscaping and Screening

Landscaping and Screening under the Susanville local zoning and planning code, with the controlling citations.

Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page explains what the Susanville zoning ordinance requires for landscaping and screening (trees, planting strips, fences, walls, berms and sight-triangle rules) and where those rules differ by district. It summarizes the code language you must follow (and the sections to cite) and gives a practical checklist for applicants. Primary local rules live in § 17.96.040, § 17.96.060, and related zone chapters of the Susanville Municipal Code .

(Links below: first mention of each related topic is linked to the Susanville menu pages used by GoCodebook.) This page also notes where you must coordinate with design review, the city’s development standards and parking rules: see the Susanville Zoning page and the city’s Development Standards and Parking pages for related submittal requirements Susanville Zoning Susanville Development Standards Susanville Parking.

Key standards (plain-English synthesis, with controlling code citations)

Required landscaping is specified generally in § 17.96.040 — this is the central landscaping standard for the city (parking-edge planting, parking-lot percentages, tree spacing, minimum living-plant ratio, watering and maintenance requirements) .
Where a commercial or industrial parcel abuts a residential district the code requires a zone wall, berm or treated wood fence approximately six feet high (with the 20 feet nearest the front lot line limited to three feet) — see § 17.96.060 (Zone walls) .
Height limits and fence rules (front-yard, rear-yard, corner sight-triangles and exceptions) are in § 17.96.030 (fences, sight-distance area and maximum permitted fence heights) — e.g., 3 ft max in required front yards; 6 ft max in rear yards unless a use permit is obtained; special sight-distance triangle limits (24 inches or trimmed tree canopy) apply at corners .
Materials prohibited for fences, walls and on-site service area screening (electrified fencing, barbed/razor wire, spires/glass, cyclone/chain link and vinyl) are expressly listed in the code (see § 17.96.030 and related development design subsections) .
Industrial and light-industrial parcels abutting non‑industrial uses must provide a 25‑foot landscaped buffer along the property edge (measured on the industrial parcel) — see § 17.52.050(C)(5) and similar district rules .
Landscaping plans (showing plant species/size, irrigation, planting locations and maintenance) must be submitted and approved by the Community Development Director prior to building or use permits where landscaping is required; the ordinance requires a formal landscaping plan (see § 17.96.040(H)) .
Multi‑unit and mobile home park projects have additional screening, wall and tree standards referenced in their zone chapters (examples below) .

I also recommend early contact with the city’s architectural/design review authority if your project triggers design review; the code ties some screening/planting exceptions to that process Susanville Design Review.

District-by-district breakdown

Below are the districts where landscaping / screening rules are specifically called out in the ordinance; each subsection gives the local purpose, typical uses, the screening / landscaping items you must know and the exact code references.

R‑1 — Single‑Family Residential (see § 17.12.060)

Purpose / typical uses: single‑family homes, ADUs and accessory structures; basic residential setbacks and lot coverage apply.
Landscaping / screening: Landscaping for new construction in residential zones is governed by § 17.96.040; front‑yard and corner sight‑triangle fence-height limits are controlled by § 17.96.030 (3 ft in required front yard; 6 ft in rear) .
Where it applies: citywide to parcels zoned R‑1; check corner lot rules and Exhibit A for corner/key-lot fence placement (see § 17.96.020 references) .

R‑2 / R‑3 / R‑4 — Multifamily residential (see § 17.16.020, § 17.24.060, § 17.104.110)

Purpose / typical uses: duplexes, townhomes, apartments and related residential uses.
Landscaping / screening: All of these districts reference § 17.96.040 for landscaping; multi‑unit developments have added screening expectations for service areas and require 15% landscaping in public open space and connections between pathways/landscaping in § 17.104.110 .
Key differences: multifamily projects must show how service areas (trash, utilities) are screened (opaque walls, landscaping and gates) and must avoid prohibited fence materials in section references .

MHP — Mobile Home Park (see § 17.28.060)

Purpose / typical uses: mobile home parks and associated accessory uses.
Landscaping / screening: A six‑foot masonry or concrete wall (or block posts with solid wood inserts) must be erected around the park and the exterior yard areas landscaped in accordance with § 17.96.040; the wall must be set back 10 ft from exterior streets § 17.28.060(G) .

M‑L / M (Industrial / Light Industrial; see § 17.52.050)

Purpose / typical uses: light industrial, warehousing, distribution and related commercial uses.
Landscaping / screening: A 25‑foot landscaped buffer is required wherever an industrial parcel abuts or is across the street from property used for anything other than industrial or agricultural; zone walls per § 17.96.060 apply at residential interfaces .
Practical note: the buffer is measured on the industrial parcel edge; the code also ties the buffer requirement to other yard/height rules in the district.

C‑1 / C‑2 / UBD — Neighborhood & General Commercial, Uptown Business District (see § 17.24 — § 17.40)

Purpose / typical uses: retail, offices, mixed‑use and pedestrian‑oriented commercial corridors.
Landscaping / screening: Commercial districts reference § 17.96.040 for planting and parking-edge planting. The UBD has a special rule requiring a minimum 6‑foot solid fence or masonry wall where a UBD zone directly abuts a residential zone for new construction (unless like uses abut like uses or the Director approves otherwise) — see § 17.40.050(D) .
Parking interaction: commercial parking landscaping requirements (10 ft depth along streets, 10% of lot for large parking areas, tree-per‑8‑spaces, etc.) are in § 17.96.040(A) and must be coordinated with the city’s parking standards Susanville Parking .

At‑a‑glance table: most decision‑relevant landscaping & screening rules

Requirement / decision point	What the code requires (plain English)	Code Reference
Parking edge planting (street frontage)	10 ft planting strip; 1 tree per 30 ft frontage; shrubs 1 per 25 sq ft (grass may substitute)	§ 17.96.040(A)(1)
Large parking lot planting	Minimum 10% of gross parking area; one tree per 8 spaces; planting islands (140 sq ft per 12 spaces)	§ 17.96.040(A)(2)
Minimum living plant material	≥ 50% of required landscaped area must be living plant material	§ 17.96.040(B)
Tree/shrub minimum sizes	Trees: 15‑gal (or 1.5" caliper for some use‑permit projects); Shrubs: 2‑gal (5‑gal for some use permits)	§ 17.96.040(B)
Watering / irrigation	Required planted areas must have adequate permanent irrigation (temporary allowed for natives while establishing)	§ 17.96.040(C)
Landscaping plan	Formal landscaping plan required and must be approved by Community Development Director	§ 17.96.040(H)
Zone walls where commercial/industrial abuts residential	Solid masonry wall, quality treated wood fence with decorative pillars, or planted berm 6 ft high (3 ft within 20 ft of front lot line)	§ 17.96.060(A)
Fence heights (front vs rear)	Front yard / street side of corner lot: max 3 ft; rear yard and side yard after front setback: max 6 ft unless use permit	§ 17.96.030(A)
Prohibited fence materials	Electrified, barbed/razor wire, spires/glass, cyclone/chain link, vinyl prohibited for fences and walls	§ 17.96.030 (fences & walls)
Industrial buffer	Landscape buffer of 25 ft where industrial parcel abuts or faces a non‑industrial property	§ 17.52.050(C)(5)
Sight‑triangle (driveways / intersections)	30‑ft triangle at street intersections (15 ft for driveway intersections); planting under 2 ft except tree trunks trimmed to 6 ft clearance	§ 17.96.040(F)

Checklist (what an applicant must satisfy before permit issuance)

Provide a formal landscaping plan showing plant species, sizes/mature width, quantities, irrigation/watering system and maintenance plan (required by § 17.96.040(H)) .
For parking areas: meet the 10 ft street planting strip and tree/shrub counts and/or the 10% parking-lot landscaping requirements in § 17.96.040(A) .
Use plant sizes that meet minimums (trees from 15‑gal containers or 1.5" caliper where specified; shrubs 2‑gal/5‑gal depending on permit) per § 17.96.040(B) .
Show irrigation details: permanent irrigation for required planted areas (temporary only for native establishment) per § 17.96.040(C) .
Verify and show compliance with zone wall requirements if your parcel abuts a residential district (solid masonry / 6 ft / or planted berm) — § 17.96.060 .
Confirm fence materials and heights meet § 17.96.030 limits and prohibited materials lists (no electrified/barbed/cyclone chain‑link/vinyl for required screening) .
Dimension and show sight‑triangle clearances at driveways and intersections (no planting over 2 ft in triangles; tree canopies must be cleared to 6 ft) § 17.96.040(F) .
If your project is in the UBD or triggers design standards, include design justification and coordinate with the design review process (Susanville Design Review) .
If you are in an industrial district abutting non‑industrial uses, show the 25‑ft landscaped buffer and how it will be planted/maintained (§ 17.52.050(C)(5)) .
If you propose deviations (higher fences, different materials, smaller setbacks), prepare a use permit or variance application and show the equal-or‑greater design objective (§ 17.96.040(G) and variance/use‑permit chapters) .

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Existing vs. new construction requirements	The code often requires landscaping for new buildings but not for existing buildings unless there is new construction or remodeling above certain thresholds	Check the district chapter and § 17.40.050(B)(1) and § 17.96.040 for whether your project triggers new-landscaping obligations; verify with the Community Development Director
Where "abuts" is measured (side or across street)	Buffer and zone wall obligations depend on whether parcels physically abut or are across the street; measurement affects whether a 6‑ft wall or a 25‑ft buffer applies	Confirm exact property lines, public-right-of-way status and which parcel is considered the "industrial" or "residential" property (verify with the city) § 17.96.060, § 17.52.050(C)(5)
Chain link / welded wire allowed in front yard	Code allows open wire/chain‑link of up to 5 ft in some front/street side yards — this might seem to conflict with the prohibited‑materials lists for service‑area screening	Verify whether your fence is exempt under § 17.96.030(A)(3) (open wire allowed) or whether the prohibited-materials rule (no cyclone/chain link for screening) in § 17.96.030 or design subsections applies to that fence location
Material standards vs. design exceptions	The code allows the Community Development Director to permit different treatments where equal or greater design excellence is achieved	If you propose nonstandard materials or a living‑berm instead of a wall, document the equal‑or‑greater design outcome and be prepared to seek a director decision or use permit § 17.96.040(G)
Fire / WUI and Title 24 overlaps	Wildland Urban Interface and Title 24 building/fire code may affect allowable plant species, clearances and noncombustible wall requirements	Verify with Fire Authority and check state building/fire standards (California Building Standards Code); the zoning code does not substitute for fire clearances — Verify with the jurisdiction (not found in zoning text)

Plain‑English summary

Susanville’s zoning code requires a city‑approved landscaping plan for most new non‑residential and many larger residential projects, sets minimum planting amounts and sizes, requires irrigation and maintenance, limits fence heights in front yards and sight triangles, bans hazardous fence materials, and requires six‑foot zone walls or berms where commercial/industrial properties abut homes (with specific 25‑ft buffers for industrial edges). See § 17.96.040, § 17.96.060 and the applicable zone chapter for the exact trigger and measurement rules — and verify parcel specifics with the Community Development Director .

Source References

Susanville Municipal Code, § 17.96.040. Landscaping — general planting, parking, tree sizes, watering, borders, maintenance and landscaping plan requirement.
Susanville Municipal Code, § 17.96.060. Zone walls — when commercial/industrial abuts residential and construction/placement rules for walls/berms/fences.
Susanville Municipal Code, § 17.96.030. Height limits—Exceptions — fence height limits, sight distance triangle rules and prohibited fence materials.
Uptown Business District development standards (walls/fences requirement), § 17.40.050(D).
Industrial / Light Industrial buffer requirement, § 17.52.050(C)(5) (25‑ft landscaped buffer).
Mobile Home Park walls and landscaping requirement, § 17.28.060(G).
Relevant code excerpts collated in the Susanville zoning code extract provided for this review (Susanville_ZoningCode.md) .
Related GoCodebook pages for procedural topics referenced in text: Susanville Zoning, Susanville Development Standards, Susanville Parking, Susanville Design Review, Susanville Overlay Districts, Susanville ADUs, California Building Standards Code.

Sources

Retrieved passages

Susanville Zoning Code (section may) High relevance
Susanville Zoning Code (§ 17.40.050.) High relevance
Susanville Zoning Code (section may) High relevance
Susanville Zoning Code High relevance
Susanville Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance
Susanville Zoning Code (section will) High relevance
Susanville Zoning Code (section will) High relevance
Susanville Zoning Code High relevance
Susanville Zoning Code (section will) Medium relevance
Susanville Zoning Code (section will) Medium relevance
Susanville Zoning Code (section will) Medium relevance
Susanville Zoning Code (Section 17.124.) Medium relevance
CWUIC § 65850.6 (Title 24) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Official Susanville code library

Frequently asked questions

Do I always need a landscaping plan in Susanville?

If your project is a new building, a significant addition or creates parking areas that trigger the landscaping thresholds, you must submit an approved landscaping plan to the Community Development Director — the requirement and content standards are in § 17.96.040(H) .

What are the fence height limits next to the street or at a corner lot in Susanville?

Fences, walls, hedges and screen plantings in required front yards and on the street side of corner lots generally cannot exceed 3 feet; fences behind the front setback can be up to 6 feet unless you secure a use permit — see § 17.96.030(A) .

When does Susanville require a zone wall or berm between commercial/industrial and residential?

A solid masonry wall, treated wood fence with decorative pillars, or a planted berm 6 ft high is required where a proposed commercial or industrial use directly abuts an R‑1, R‑2, R‑3, R‑4 or MHP district (with the 20 ft nearest the front lot line limited to 3 ft) — see § 17.96.060(A) .

How much landscaping do I need for a parking lot?

Open parking areas abutting a public street with five or more spaces require a 10‑ft planting strip with street trees (1 per 30 ft frontage) and shrubs (1 per 25 sq ft); parking lots with 20+ spaces must provide landscaping equal to at least 10% of the gross area used for parking and access, plus tree spacing (one tree per 8 spaces) — see § 17.96.040(A) .

Are chain‑link fences allowed for screening or service areas?

The code prohibits cyclone/chain link for required screening of service areas and auxiliary structures; however, open wire or chain‑link fences up to 5 ft in height may be allowed in required front or street side yards under the fence height rules — check both § 17.96.030 and the service‑area screening subsections to determine which applies and verify with the Director .

What plant sizes are required when I install trees and shrubs?

Required landscaping must include living plant material comprising at least 50% of the landscaped area. Trees are generally required to be from 15‑gallon containers (or 1.5" caliper in certain use‑permit contexts) and shrubs from 2‑gallon containers (5‑gallon minimum for some use‑permit projects) — see § 17.96.040(B) .

If my industrial site is across the street from homes, do I still need the buffer?

Yes — the industrial buffer rule applies where the industrial parcel abuts or is across the street from property classified for non‑industrial uses; in that situation a 25‑ft landscape buffer on the industrial parcel edge is required (§ 17.52.050(C)(5)) .

Who approves deviations (different walls, living berms, taller fences)?

The Community Development Director or the planning body via a use permit can approve modifications if the alternative achieves equal or greater excellence or is otherwise justified; see § 17.96.040(G) and the use permit/variance chapters for process and findings .

I’m doing a small ADU in an R‑1 yard — do these landscaping rules apply?

ADUs are regulated in the zoning chapters and may be subject to development standards, but basic fence height, sight‑triangle and plant‑clearance rules still apply (check the ADU rules and coordinate with the landscaping plan requirement if the project is new construction). See the city ADU guidance Susanville ADUs and § 17.96.030 / § 17.96.040 for the zoning-level requirements; verify with the Community Development Director for small projects .

Are there any prohibited fence materials I should avoid for required screening?

Yes — the code lists prohibited materials including electrified fencing, barbed/razor wire, sharp spires/glass, cyclone/chain link (for screening) and vinyl for fences and walls; reference the development design/fence sections (e.g., § 17.96.030 and related design subsections) . ---

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