Temple City — Landscaping and Screening

Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the Temple City Zoning Code (Title 9) requires for landscaping and screening (trees, shrubs, turf, hardscape, walls/fences, and visual screening of loading/mechanical areas). It is focused on the actual Temple City zoning articles and specific district rules — not state building code or permitting procedures. Where the code gives numeric standards, they are cited to the controlling § and the local ordinance excerpts retrieved.

Note: the city's general zoning overview is at the Temple City Zoning page; the code ties landscaping to site design, parking, and screening requirements, and interacts with development standards, parking, and design review processes described elsewhere.

What the code requires — district-by-district

Below are the Temple City districts where the Zoning Code explicitly sets landscaping or screening rules in Title 9. Each district subsection gives purpose, typical uses, key landscaping/screening standards, and where that district applies.

R-3 (High-Density Residential)

• Purpose/typical uses: The R-3 district is for higher-density multi‑family housing (up to 36 dwelling units/acre) such as apartments and condominiums.
• Key landscaping/screening rules:
  • Minimum 25% of the parcel must be landscaped, with at least 70% live vegetation; a minimum 40% of the parcel must be permeable. See the Landscape and Hardscape Requirements at § 9-1G-31.G.
  • Front-yard hardscape maximums vary by lot width: 40% (lots < 50'), 35% (50–80'), 30% (> 80') of the front yard may be hardscape. § 9-1G-31.G.
  • Tree/plant sizing and planting: at least three 36‑inch box trees (others 24‑inch boxes), shrubs 5‑gallon minimum; planting areas and planter depths for courtyards are specified in § 9-1G-32.G.
  • Walls/fences: No fences or walls in the front yard for multi‑family lots; walls and fences must be non‑view obstructing and otherwise follow Article N standards (§ 9-1G-32.J, cross‑ref § 9-1N-3).
• Where it applies: multi‑family neighborhoods designated R‑3 on the zoning map; courtyard rules apply for parcels over certain widths per § 9-1G-32.

MU‑L and MU‑M (Mixed‑Use Low / Mixed‑Use Medium)

• Purpose/typical uses: MU‑L supports smaller-scale neighborhood mixed uses; MU‑M supports denser, walkable mixed retail/office/residential (up to 40 du/acre).
• Key landscaping/screening rules:
  • Landscaping required for all non-building areas and paved areas: a combination of trees, shrubs, groundcover; landscaping plans and irrigation are required and reviewed by the Director. See the mixed‑use design standards (Article H) and the Landscape and Hardscape Requirements referenced in those sections. § 9-1H-3 and cross‑referenced landscape provisions.
  • Screening of loading, exterior storage, mechanical equipment and refuse: must be by solid fences, walls, or mature landscaped materials; refuse enclosures often require a 6‑ft decorative masonry wall. § 9-1H-3 and § 9-1G-32 (design/screening rules).
  • Use landscaping between the street and front property line walls to soften walls or buffers and provide shade; avoid uninterrupted walls (policy guidance in design standards).
• Where it applies: downtown and corridor mixed‑use areas (see zoning map and specific MU articles).

I (Industrial) / Commercial zones

• Purpose/typical uses: industrial and heavier commercial uses; specific buffering required where they abut residential zones.
• Key landscaping/screening rules:
  • Areas not used for buildings or parking/circulation must be landscaped; a landscaping and irrigation plan is required and planted areas adjacent to parking must have concrete curbs 6" above finish grade. § 9-1? (Industrial article) — see the I‑zone standards that require landscaping, lighting plans, and screening for loading and outdoor storage.
  • Where I‑zoned property abuts R zones, loading yards, outdoor storage and trash must be screened by a view‑obscuring fence or wall not less than 6 ft tall. § 9-1? (I‑zone, provisions a–c).
  • Collection/recycling facilities: must not eliminate required landscaping, must be screened from public rights‑of‑way by fences or landscape, and may require additional screening through CUP. § for collection facilities (landscaping/screening subitems) is in the commercial/collection use standards.

Institutional and Open Space (I / OS)

• Purpose/typical uses: public, semi‑public, parks, schools, recreation, and conservation uses. § 9-1K‑1 describes purpose.
• Key landscaping/screening rules:
  • Landscaping must be provided along building elevations and perimeter walls; preservation of mature trees is encouraged; drought‑tolerant native plantings are recommended. § 9-1K‑3 and general site design provisions.
  • Screening of equipment and transformers is required using landscaping or integrated low walls (utility screening).

Crossroads Specific Plan (CSP) / Specific Plans

• Purpose: CSP is a site‑specific plan zone with its own design and development rules. Specific Plans control landscaping and screening within their boundaries; if silent, Title 9 standards apply. § 9-1M‑3 (Specific Plans) explains applicability.

Article N — Site Planning and General Development Standards (applies citywide)

• Article N contains the core rules for walls and fences, measurement methodology, and other site planning rules that apply across all zones. Key provisions:
  • Fence/wall height measurement and exceptions, including treatment of grade differences and retaining walls, are in § 9-1N-3; retaining walls up to 3 ft are allowed in front and street side yards, with limitations on additional fences and setbacks.
  • In residential zones: fences/walls may be up to 6 ft in side/rear yards; front yard fences limited to 36" view‑obstructing or 42" if non‑view obstructing; no front yard fences for certain multi‑family lots. § 9-1N-3.C.
  • Driveway visibility areas and corner visibility triangles constrain fence heights (see § 9-1N-3 diagrams and text).

Decision‑relevant standards and screening table

Practical guidance and interpretation (plain‑English synthesis)

• Tree and plant minimums are prescriptive: when you submit a landscape plan for an R‑3 or similar project, show the required 36" box trees and 5‑gallon shrubs and label permeable surfaces to meet the 40% permeable area target; reference § 9-1G-31.G on the plan.
• Fences and walls are governed primarily by § 9-1N-3: measure height from adjacent grade, watch for retaining walls (allowed up to 3 ft) and the 3‑ft setback rule if you place a fence on top of a retaining wall.
• Screening of dumpsters, loading docks, and mechanical equipment is mandatory and often requires masonry or mature landscaping; many trash enclosures must be set behind a 6‑ft masonry or concrete block wall and landscaped. See mixed‑use and commercial rules.
• Design compatibility: landscaping palettes and fence/wall materials are expected to match the principal building; chain‑link, sheet metal, and barbed wire are not allowed as screening materials.
• Courtyards and subterranean parking have extra planting depth and planter size requirements (e.g., 3 ft minimum planting depth above subterranean parking). See § 9-1G-32 for courtyard planting rules.

Make sure to coordinate landscaping plans with parking layouts and with the city's design review expectations early — screening and planting often affect parking island locations, driveway widths, and visibility triangles. Also check City development standards for dimensional context.

Checklist (what an applicant must satisfy)

• Show total parcel area and calculate % landscaped and % permeable (meet § 9-1G-31.G targets where applicable).
• Provide a landscape plan with plant palette, counts, and sizes (include 36" box and 24" box trees where required; shrubs 5‑gal). § 9-1G-31.G.
• Dimension and detail planter depths (courtyards, subterranean parking min 3' soil depth where required). § 9-1G-32.
• Demonstrate hardscape percentages in front yard by lot width (40/35/30% thresholds). § 9-1G-31.G.
• Show fence/wall locations, heights, and grade measurements per § 9-1N-3; indicate retaining walls and any 3‑ft setbacks.
• Provide screening details for refuse, loading, and mechanical equipment (materials and height; many require 6‑ft masonry walls). § 9-1H-3, § 9-1G-32.
• Supply irrigation plan and maintenance statement (landscapes must be maintained). Multiple district standards.
• Coordinate landscape with site grading and drainage (grading that changes > 3 ft adjacent to R zones triggers grading/locking/retaining mitigation). I‑zone cross‑buffer rules.

Verify with the Director for any project‑specific exceptions or Minor Exceptions/variances under Title 9 (see variances and exceptions).

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain‑English Summary

Temple City's zoning code requires meaningful landscaping on most projects (often 25% of a lot with 70% live plants and 40% permeable surfaces in multi‑family contexts), restricts front‑yard fences and limits fence heights, and requires screening of dumpsters, loading areas, and mechanical equipment with walls or mature landscaping; check the specific district rules and Article N fence measurement rules when preparing plans.

Source References

• Temple City Zoning Code, Title 9 — Article N, Site Planning and General Design Standards; Walls and Fences: § 9-1N-3, measurement and height limits.
• Temple City Zoning Code, R‑3 district design and standards, including courtyard and tree/plant requirements: § 9-1G-31 and § 9-1G-32.
• Mixed‑Use and commercial design standards (screening of loading, refuse, and equipment): § 9-1H-3 and related mixed‑use articles.
• Industrial zone buffering and landscaping provisions (I‑zone requirements for screening and loading areas): I‑zone provisions in Title 9 (see Industrial article excerpts).
• Specific Plans applicability (Crossroads Specific Plan reference): § 9-1M-3.
• Collection facility landscaping/screening and trash enclosure standards (commercial use standards): ordinance excerpts on collection facilities.

If you need the official code language or the full code text, consult the Temple City municipal code online and confirm specific § language with the Community Development Department. Verify parcel‑specific interpretations with staff.

Retrieved passages

• Temple City Zoning Code (section 9-1N-11) High relevance show source text
• Temple City Zoning Code (ARTICLE H.) High relevance show source text
• Temple City Zoning Code High relevance show source text
• Temple City Zoning Code High relevance show source text
• Temple City Zoning Code High relevance show source text
• Temple City Zoning Code High relevance show source text
• CBC § 9 (Section 9-1N-3-C) High relevance show source text
• Temple City Zoning Code High relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Temple City Zoning Code, Title 9 — Article N, Site Planning and General Design Standards; Walls and Fences: **§ 9-1N-3**, measurement and height limits. (Title 9)
• Temple City Zoning Code, R‑3 district design and standards, including courtyard and tree/plant requirements: **§ 9-1G-31** and **§ 9-1G-32**. (§ 9-1G-31)
• Mixed‑Use and commercial design standards (screening of loading, refuse, and equipment): **§ 9-1H-3** and related mixed‑use articles. (§ 9-1H-3)
• Industrial zone buffering and landscaping provisions (I‑zone requirements for screening and loading areas): I‑zone provisions in Title 9 (see Industrial article excerpts). (Title 9)
• Specific Plans applicability (Crossroads Specific Plan reference): **§ 9-1M-3**. (§ 9-1M-3)
• Collection facility landscaping/screening and trash enclosure standards (commercial use standards): ordinance excerpts on collection facilities.
• TempleCity_ZoningCode.md

• Official Temple City code library