Local zoning · Vallejo

Vallejo — Landscaping and Screening

Q: What counts as required landscaping on a new commercial site in Vallejo?

Required landscaping is established by Chapter 16.504 and the district development table for your zoning designation; commercial and office sites commonly must provide 25% (district dependent) of the site as landscaping, include parking lot islands, and meet planter width/tree spacing and irrigation standards. See § 16.504.03 and the district table for your zone.

Q: Do parking lots need to be screened from the street?

Yes. Parking lots must be screened from public streets by 4 ft high screening; where parking abuts residential zoning the screen is 6 ft high (except inside a required front setback where 3 ft is allowed). Screening can be walls, fences plus planting, planting alone, or berms as described in the ordinance. See § 16.504.03(I) .

Q: Where are streetscape tree requirements spelled out?

Streetscape planting on major arterials requires an 8 ft minimum landscape strip with trees (commonly 1 per 30 ft of frontage) and an irrigation system on private developments unless reduced by the director. See § 16.504.06 .

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

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Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the City of Vallejo's zoning ordinance requires for landscaping, screening, buffers, fences, walls, and trees. It is grounded in Vallejo’s Chapter 16 landscaping and fencing provisions (landscaping: § 16.504 series; fences/walls/screening: § 16.505 series) and the district development tables that cross‑reference those chapters. See the city's rules for how landscaping, plant material, and hard screens must perform and be measured, and what permits or reviews are triggered.

Key rules (plain-English synthesis, code anchors)

Required landscaping applies to most new development and many site alterations; single-unit home exceptions are limited. See § 16.504.01 and § 16.504.02 for applicability and landscape locations.
Minimum percent of a site to be landscaped is set by district (see district table entries and Table 16.504‑A); many commercial/mixed‑use districts require 25–30%; check the applicable district table. See § 16.504.03 and the district development tables.
Parking areas must be planted and screened: interior planters, curbs, tree spacing, vision clearance and height limits apply. Screening heights for parking are 4 ft adjacent to public streets and 6 ft where parking abuts residential districts (with a 3 ft screen permitted inside a required front setback). See § 16.504.03(I).
Fences and walls have location, material, measurement and height limits; fences > 7 ft need a building permit plus an exceptions review if they exceed district limits. See § 16.505.02 and § 16.505.05.
Vegetative screens must usually be compact evergreens planted in a minimum planting strip, achieve a minimum height within 12–18 months, and the director can require a wall/berm if planting fails. See § 16.505.09 and related planting rules in § 16.504.03.
Tree protection during construction: identify trees on a tree inventory, preserve qualifying large trees in non‑residential zones unless removed with director permission supported by an arborist report, and protect drip lines. See § 16.504.07.

Note: this page stays within land‑use/zoning rules. For Title 24 / construction standards consult the California Building Standards Code. California Building Standards Code

District-by-district breakdown (where the ordinance links landscaping/screening to district standards)

Below are the Vallejo districts for which the retrieved ordinance text contains landscaping/screening requirements or cross‑references. Each subsection lists the district name in bold, the role of landscaping/screening there, typical permitted uses (high level), key dimensional or landscape standards called out in the code excerpt, and where that rule applies in the ordinance.

RR (Rural Residential)

Purpose/typical uses: low‑density residential/rural uses; accessory agricultural. (Permitted uses chart: see Chapter 16 district tables.) Not all use lists were retrieved. Verify with the jurisdiction. Not found in retrieved materials.
Landscaping-screening role: front yards and street‑facing yards must be landscaped per the landscaping chapter; fences measured per general rules. See § 16.504.02 and § 16.505.02.
Key standards called out in district tables: setback and fence height references in district tables; accessory structure limits referenced in district tables. See district tables and § 16.505 cross‑references.

RLD (Residential Low Density)

Purpose/typical uses: single‑family and low‑density residential neighborhoods.
Landscaping role: minimum landscaping percent (district table calls out 25–30% in several residential contexts); where RMD/RHD adjoin RLD, a 5 ft planting strip and tree screen with trees at maximum 15 ft intervals is required as a transitional standard (see § 16.202 / § 16.504 cross reference).
Screening/fencing: typical residential fence height limits — 3 ft in front yard (unless traffic engineer allows 4 ft), 6 ft in side/rear yards, with a decorative 1 ft lattice extension to 7 ft allowed in some situations. See § 16.505.03 and § 16.505.05.

RMD (Residential Medium Density) and RHD (Residential High Density)

Purpose/typical uses: multi‑family and medium/high density housing.
Landscaping role: additional development standards require transitional setbacks where adjoining lower density residential—interior side setbacks of 10 ft to RLD and 20 ft rear setbacks in some adjacencies; a 5 ft landscaped planting strip along RLD boundaries with a tree screen at max 15 ft spacing. See § 16.202.04.A and the RMD/RHD additional standards referenced in district tables.
Screening/fencing: fences in multi‑family projects follow Chapter 16.505; courtyard walls have specific height/setback limits (5 ft height and 10 ft setback from the front property line). See § 16.505.03(C)(5).

NMX, DMX, WMX (Neighborhood / Downtown / Waterfront Mixed‑Use)

Purpose/typical uses: mixed‑use centers with ground floor commercial and upper floor residential.
Landscaping role: these districts often have 0 ft build‑to lines but still require landscaping and street trees; the mixed‑use tables reference minimum open space and refer to Chapter 16.504 for landscaping percentages and street tree standards. See Table 16.203‑A and § 16.504.
Screening/fencing: fencing/walls are regulated by § 16.505; required screening for parking and service areas must be behind required landscaping when adjacent to a street. See § 16.505.07.

O (Office) and M (Medical)

Purpose/typical uses: professional office, medical uses, professional services.
Landscaping role: district table requires a minimum 25% of the site landscaped in some office/medical zones; street trees at 1 per 30 ft of frontage, planters with minimum widths, and typical parking lot landscape rules apply. See Table 16.205‑A and § 16.504.
Screening/fencing: standard screening and materials requirements in Chapter 16.505 apply to nonresidential uses; low‑profile walls and quality materials are required for many screens. See § 16.505.03 and § 16.505.05.

IL, IG (Industrial: Light/General)

Purpose/typical uses: light and general industrial operations.
Landscaping role: industrial districts require perimeter planting strips and transitional planting where abutting residential — often a 10 ft landscaped planting area with trees at 20 ft intervals when adjacent to R zones. See § 16.206.03(B–C) and the industrial district table.
Screening/fencing: industrial screening heights may be higher (the code permits required screening up to 8 ft in industrial districts, except where other limits apply). See § 16.505.03(C)(2–3).

For district‑level permitted uses, consult the applicable district table in Chapter 16 (district use lists were not fully included in the retrieved excerpts). Verify with the jurisdiction for parcel‑specific application. Not found in retrieved materials.

Decision‑relevant standards table

Topic	Standard (what an applicant needs to know)	Code Reference
Parking lot screening height	4 ft adjacent to public streets; 6 ft where parking abuts residential; 3 ft within required front setback	§ 16.504.03(I)
Planting for screens	Compact evergreens in a minimum 3 ft planting strip; must reach 2 ft (or 2 ft width) within 12–18 months; director can require wall if planting fails	§ 16.505.09, § 16.504.03
Streetscape strip along major arterials	8 ft minimum landscape strip; 1 street tree per 30 ft (or per 30 ft where specified)	§ 16.504.06
Fence height (residential front yard)	Usually 3 ft in front yard; traffic engineer may allow 4 ft; side/rear 6 ft, decorative 1 ft extension allowed	§ 16.505.03(B–C)
Fences > 7 ft	Any fence over 7 ft requires a building permit and an exception review	§ 16.505.02(A)
Tree protection during construction	Tree inventory required; preserve trees > 24 in diameter in non‑residential zones unless arborist determines removal OK; protect drip line and prohibit grading within drip line	§ 16.504.07(A–B)

Practical guidance (how planners and applicants typically interpret these rules)

Treat vegetative screens as features that must mature quickly: the code expects a functional screen within 12–18 months and allows the director to require replacement with a wall/berm if plantings fail (so plan for larger starter sizes or temporary screens). § 16.505.09 and § 16.504.03 explain these expectations.
Design parking islands and planters to meet the minimum widths and curbing rules so islands protect plantings and allow required stormwater flow. See § 16.504.03(G) and parking lot details.
If your lot abuts a different zoning intensity (for example RMD next to RLD), plan for transitional planting and greater setbacks (the code prescribes specific widths and tree spacings as transitional measures). See the district tables and transition standards.
Expect review by the traffic engineer when a fence/wall could affect sight distance (e.g., within 10–20 ft of intersections/driveways) and apply for an encroachment permit when the fence will occupy public right‑of‑way. See § 16.505.02(C) and § 16.505.07.
Where the roadway elevation differs from the property, the director can allow screens higher than district height limits when justified by grade differentials—document elevations in your submittal. See § 16.505.05(C).

Linking notes: landscaping often interacts with Vallejo Parking, Vallejo Development Standards, Vallejo Design Review, Vallejo Overlay Districts, and Vallejo ADUs. Use the Vallejo zoning & planning overview for high‑level questions. Also consider state rules for construction and safety in the California Building Standards Code.

Checklist (what an applicant must provide to show compliance)

Landscape and irrigation plan meeting Chapter 16.504 requirements, including planting schedules and sizes (see § 16.504.03).
Tree inventory identifying trees to be preserved (species, DBH) and an arborist report when removal of large trees is proposed (§ 16.504.07).
Parking lot landscape plan with planter widths, curbs, tree spacing and vision clearance demonstrated (§ 16.504.03(G–I)).
Fence/wall plan showing material, height measurements relative to finished grade, and location (on property line vs behind landscaping as required) (§ 16.505.05, § 16.505.07).
If fence/wall > 7 ft, include building permit materials and an exception application where needed (§ 16.505.02).
Evidence of encroachment permit from Public Works if any fence/wall encroaches into right‑of‑way (§ 16.505.02(C)(2)).
For projects on major arterials a streetscape plan showing an 8 ft landscape strip and street tree spacing (§ 16.504.06).

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Grade differences at property boundary	The code measures fence height from the highest elevation in a 3‑ft radius; roadway vs. property elevation can allow taller screens — this affects allowed fence height	Confirm how finished grade will be measured and whether the director will permit a higher fence due to grade: § 16.505.05(C).
Whether existing mature trees are protected	In non‑residential zones trees > 24 in DBH have presumption of preservation; removal requires arborist justification	If proposing removal, supply an arborist report and check § 16.504.07(B) for criteria.
Planting performance vs. required opaque screening	The director can demand walls if plants fail to form a screen within the timeframes	Confirm required starter sizes and acceptable temporary screening; see § 16.505.09 and § 16.504.03.
Courtyards and front yard fence exceptions	Courtyard walls and historic/landmark properties have special height/setback rules which may differ from the general rules	Verify courtyard treatments and heritage district exceptions: § 16.505.03(C)(5) and related historic provisions.
District‑specific landscaping % and plant palettes	District tables reference landscaping percent but full plant palettes and exceptions may be in other code sections or design guidelines	Check the applicable district table and Chapter 16.504; if not found in materials, “Verify with the jurisdiction.” Not found in retrieved materials for some districts.

Plain‑English Summary

Vallejo requires most new and many altered sites to include landscape and screening that meet district minimums, protect street and neighbor sightlines, and achieve functioning screens (vegetative or wall) within a short timeframe; fences have measured height limits, materials standards, and special review where public safety or adjacent residential uses are implicated. See § 16.504 for landscaping and § 16.505 for fences, walls, and screening.

Information Gaps

Full, parcel‑level lists of permitted uses per district were not fully present in the retrieved excerpts — confirm permitted use lists in each district table. Not found in retrieved materials.
The complete Table 16.504‑A (exact minimum landscaping percentages by every district) was only partially retrieved; check the full table in Chapter 16.504. Not found in retrieved materials.
Detailed water‑efficient landscape requirements text (Section 16.504.09) was referenced but not fully included in the excerpts; consult the ordinance for irrigation submittal standards. Not found in retrieved materials.

Source References

Chapter 16.505 — Fences, Walls, and Screening (purpose; permits; materials; height limits; measurement; temporary fencing): § 16.505.01 – § 16.505.09.
Chapter 16.504 — Landscaping (applicability; locations; standards; streetscape; tree protection): § 16.504.02 – § 16.504.07.
Parking lot landscaping and screening details (planter widths, tree spacing, screening heights): § 16.504.03(G–I).
District development standards and cross‑references to landscaping/fences (example tables: Table 16.205‑A, 16.206‑A, 16.203‑A): district tables reference Chapter 16.504 and 16.505 for landscaping and fences.
Landscape principles and minimum landscape policy statements: Chapter 16.504 general principles and minimums.

Sources

Retrieved passages

Vallejo Zoning Code (chapter may) High relevance
Vallejo Zoning Code (Chapter 16.504) High relevance
Vallejo Zoning Code (Chapter 16.504) High relevance
Vallejo Zoning Code (Chapter 16.104) High relevance
Vallejo Zoning Code (Section 16.501.11) High relevance
Vallejo Zoning Code (Chapter 16.505) High relevance
Vallejo Zoning Code (Chapter 16.608) High relevance
Vallejo Zoning Code (chapter apply) High relevance

Cited sections

Official Vallejo code library

Frequently asked questions

What counts as required landscaping on a new commercial site in Vallejo?

Required landscaping is established by Chapter 16.504 and the district development table for your zoning designation; commercial and office sites commonly must provide 25% (district dependent) of the site as landscaping, include parking lot islands, and meet planter width/tree spacing and irrigation standards. See § 16.504.03 and the district table for your zone.

How tall can my backyard fence be in Vallejo?

In most residential lots the maximum fence height in side and rear yards is 6 ft; a decorative one‑foot lattice extension up to 7 ft may be allowed. Fences over 7 ft require a building permit and exception. See § 16.505.03(B–C) and § 16.505.02(A).

Do parking lots need to be screened from the street?

Yes. Parking lots must be screened from public streets by 4 ft high screening; where parking abuts residential zoning the screen is 6 ft high (except inside a required front setback where 3 ft is allowed). Screening can be walls, fences plus planting, planting alone, or berms as described in the ordinance. See § 16.504.03(I).

If my property is adjacent to a residential district, do I need a planting buffer?

Yes — many non‑residential and higher‑intensity residential districts require a landscaped planting area along the residential boundary (examples: 5–10 ft widths and tree spacings are specified in transitional standards). See district transition rules and § 16.504. Verify exact width for your district in the applicable district table.

Are there protected trees and rules for construction near trees?

The code requires a tree inventory and protection measures during construction; in non‑residential zones trees over 24 in diameter are generally preserved unless an arborist finds removal justified. Protect drip lines, avoid grading within the drip line, and follow arborist recommendations. See § 16.504.07.

Can I use chain‑link for screening or perimeter fencing?

Chain‑link is prohibited for screening purposes and is restricted in many residential adjacency situations; where chain‑link is allowed it must be vinyl‑coated. The ordinance favors permanent materials and prohibits many makeshift materials. See § 16.505.02(E).

Do I need an encroachment permit to put a fence next to the sidewalk?

Yes. Any portion of a fence or wall that encroaches into public right‑of‑way requires an encroachment permit from Public Works. Also, visibility at intersections and driveways will be checked by the traffic engineer. See § 16.505.02(C)(2–4).

How fast must planted screens perform?

Vegetative screens used for required screening must typically reach minimum opacity/height quickly (ordinance sets performance expectations such as 2 ft minimum height within 12–18 months depending on the planting requirement); the director can require a wall or berm if plantings do not form an opaque screen. See § 16.505.09 and § 16.504.03.

Where are streetscape tree requirements spelled out?

Streetscape planting on major arterials requires an 8 ft minimum landscape strip with trees (commonly 1 per 30 ft of frontage) and an irrigation system on private developments unless reduced by the director. See § 16.504.06.

Will design review be required for my landscaping plan?

Some projects are subject to the city's design review process and district‑level development standards reference landscape and screening compliance; check whether your project requires Vallejo Design Review and reference Chapter 16.504. If the project is an entitlement or major alteration, expect the review authority to require full landscaping and irrigation plans. Not every minor zoning compliance review triggers full landscaping submittal; see § 16.504.01 for applicability. ---

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