Walnut — Landscaping and Screening

Last reviewed: July 3, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the City of Walnut's zoning and planning ordinance requires for landscaping, screening, buffers, fences/walls, and tree protection. It pulls only from the local Walnut Municipal Code (primarily Title 6 zoning and Chapter 6.52 on landscaping/tree preservation) and points to the local rules that trigger landscape plans, fence height limits, sight‑triangles, and the city’s oak/walnut tree permit program. For zoning context see the Walnut zoning overview. Walnut Zoning

Key city rules (high level)

• Landscape plans are required for many new or rehabilitated landscapes (thresholds and methods set by the City’s water‑efficient landscaping ordinance) — § 6.52.020.
• Front‑yard hardscape/impervious limits: walkways/parking/driveways may not exceed 50% of the front yard except as allowed by site plan review — explicit in multiple zone yard rules (e.g., § 6.28.070–090, § 6.32.060, § 6.36.070).
• Fence/wall height limits and where they apply are regulated in § 6.08.110 and repeated/qualified in individual zones (R‑1, R‑2, C‑P, etc.).
• Oak/walnut trees are protected; a tree permit is required to remove or encroach into a protected zone and the code sets protected‑zone geometry, permit steps, findings, mitigation and replacement standards — see § 6.52.240 through § 6.52.340 (Article V).

(Other development rules that interact with landscaping — e.g., Walnut Parking, the city's Walnut Design Review rules, and the general Walnut Development Standards — will be applied during review, and the City may require screening or masonry walls as a condition of approval.)

District‑by‑district breakdown (landscaping & screening focus)

Note: each district below names the Walnut zoning designation, its purpose (as in the code), then the landscaping/screening specifics and the controlling code citations.

R‑1 (Single‑Family Residential)

• Purpose / typical uses: single‑family residences; rural overlay variants (A overlay) permit limited animal keeping where designated. See the R‑1 development standards for yard and setback measures. § 6.12.050.
• Landscaping / Impervious limits: front‑yard impervious surfaces (walkways, parking, access) generally may not exceed 50% of the front yard; remaining area must be landscaped per the Code (this rule appears throughout the zoning sections). See related wording in § 6.12.050(F) and cross‑references to the water‑efficient landscape rules § 6.52.020.
• Fences/walls: standard residential limits — 3 ft max in front yard; 6 ft rear/side (with corner lot exceptions) — see § 6.08.110 and R‑1 intrusions rules.
• Where it applies: city single‑family neighborhoods; R‑1 rural overlay (A) has additional yard/fence specifics. § 6.16.010–020.

R‑2 (Limited Multiple‑Family / Duplex)

• Purpose / typical uses: duplexes/limited multifamily development. § 6.28.010–020.
• Landscaping / Impervious limits: front yard impervious surfaces limited to 50%; yard landscaping requirements and lot coverage rules apply. § 6.28.070(E).
• Fences/walls: fences/walls permitted but limited to 6 ft in general; 3 ft when in a front yard or side yard abutting a street; also governed by § 6.08.110. § 6.28.090.
• Notes: Planning Commission exceptions via site plan review are possible (see § 6.84).

R‑3 (Multiple‑Family)

• Purpose / typical uses: apartment houses, multiple dwelling units. § 6.32.010–020.
• Landscaping / Impervious limits: front yard impervious surfaces limited to 50%; landscaping used to screen parking/loading from the public right‑of‑way and adjacent properties is emphasized in site plan review criteria § 6.84.050. § 6.32.060(E); § 6.84.050(K‑L).
• Fences/walls and gates: same baseline measurements (see § 6.08.110) and R‑3 yard rules.

R‑4 / R‑5 (Medium‑ and High‑Height Residential)

• Purpose: higher intensity multifamily. Landscaping minimums for front yards are lower as density increases — for example R‑4 = 20%, R‑5 = 10% landscaped within the front setback for ADU‑related landscaping rules (see ADU subsection; verify with the City for project‑level application). The zoning text addressing front yard landscaping percentages appears in the ADU/subsection context; verify with staff for non‑ADU projects. Not all required sections show a boxed § number in the retrieved materials for these percentages (see "Information Gaps").

C‑P (Commercial‑Planned)

• Purpose / typical uses: planned commercial nodes, mixed uses allowed per plan. § 6.36.010–020.
• Landscaping / Impervious limits: front yard impervious surfaces limited to 50%; landscaping required for the rest of the yard (§ 6.36.070(E)).
• Screening and walls: where C‑P adjoins residential zones a solid masonry wall of 5–6 ft is required along that side/rear property line (max 3 ft in front setback) — § 6.36.090.
• Where applied: shopping centers, neighborhood commercial planned parcels.

School & Public Institution Zone

• Landscaping: this zone requires minimum landscaping per the water‑efficient chapter (§ 6.52) and off‑street parking rules (§ 6.68) to be satisfied; areas visible from public right‑of‑way must meet fence/wall standards of § 6.08.110 and include decorative enhancements or screening as part of project design (§ 6.50.060(E–F)).

Specific Plans & Overlays (MU/HOO, Specific Plans, RPD)

• Specific plans and overlays (e.g., MU/HOO‑1 West Valley Specific Plan, Walnut Esplanade Specific Plan) often carry their own landscaping percentages: e.g., MU/HOO‑1 = 60% front‑setback landscaping for ADU rules and Walnut Esplanade = 50% front‑setback landscaping for certain projects; consult the specific plan text in addition to the base code. These figures are cited in the ADU/overlay text; verify which specific plan applies to your parcel.

City standards & decision‑relevant quick table

Practical guidance / how the rules are applied (plain English synthesis)

• If your project adds or substantially changes landscaping, expect to prepare a landscape plan when the landscaped area is ≥ 500 sq ft or when the work is discretionary; the plan must meet the city’s Water Efficient Landscaping rules and be submitted for permit (§ 6.52.020).
• When designing front yards, treat no more than 50% of that front yard as impervious. The remaining area must be planted and maintained; small exceptions can be approved through site plan/architectural review (§ 6.28.070(E), § 6.32.060(E)).
• Fences: measure height per § 6.08.110 (and note corner lot/retaining wall rules). If you propose a fence/wall above the base limit the Planning Commission can grant a higher wall through site plan/architectural review when specific factors support it.
• If there are oak or walnut trees on or near the site (protected species per the code), you will probably need a tree report and a tree permit for any encroachment or removal; the City’s process includes pre‑application, formal application, review by the City tree consultant, mitigation options (replacement trees, fees, or relocation), security deposits, and inspections (see § 6.52.330, § 6.52.300, § 6.52.310).

Remember: screening design is reviewed as part of site plan and architectural review — see the City’s Walnut Design Review material for how landscape/screening figures into approvals.

Checklist

• Confirm the zoning district of the parcel (R‑1, R‑2, R‑3, C‑P, etc.) and any overlays (Specific Plans / MU/HOO). Verify with the City. § references: see district chapters.
• If adding/rehabilitating landscape area ≥ 500 sq ft, prepare and submit a landscape plan that complies with § 6.52.020 (Water Efficient Landscaping).
• Calculate front‑yard impervious surfaces; keep ≤ 50% unless you obtain Planning Commission approval (§ 6.28.070(E), § 6.32.060(E)).
• For fences/walls: dimension heights from the high side/low side as required and check § 6.08.110 for exceptions and corner lot rules.
• If any tree on the property is a protected oak/walnut (≥ 6 in circumference at 4.5 ft), obtain a tree permit before removal/encroachment and include a tree report per § 6.52.330.
• For C‑P parcels abutting residential zones, plan for a 5–6 ft masonry wall along the adjacent side/rear property lines — § 6.36.090.
• Use landscaping to screen utilities, rooftop equipment and satellite dishes per design review expectations (§ 6.84.050(I) and telecomm rules) and to hide service/loading areas from the public right‑of‑way.

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain‑English Summary

Walnut requires landscape plans for many projects (usually if you add ≥ 500 sq ft of new landscaping), limits front‑yard hardscape to 50%, restricts fence heights in front yards to 3 ft and 6 ft elsewhere, mandates masonry screening walls where commercial zones touch residential, and maintains an active oak/walnut tree permit program with strict protected‑zone rules and replacement/mitigation requirements. Key rules are in § 6.52 (landscaping/tree preservation) and § 6.08.100–110 (yards, fences), plus various zone chapters; always verify the parcel’s specific zone/overlay and consult the City early.

Source References

• The Walnut Municipal Code — Yard & fence standards: § 6.08.100 (permitted intrusions), § 6.08.110 (walls/fences/hedges) — § 6.08.100; § 6.08.110.
• R‑1 development standards (yards/fence rules): § 6.12.050.
• R‑2 development standards (impervious/fence): § 6.28.070–090.
• R‑3 yard/landscaping rules: § 6.32.060(E).
• C‑P masonry wall requirement and yard landscaping: § 6.36.070–090.
• Site plan and architectural review criteria (landscaping, screening expectations): § 6.84.050.
• Water Efficient Landscaping ordinance and permit thresholds: § 6.52.010 (purpose) and § 6.52.020 (applicability/permit thresholds).
• Oak/Walnut Tree Preservation (Article V): § 6.52.240 – § 6.52.340, including application, protected zone, findings, mitigation, relocation and performance standards (§ 6.52.300, § 6.52.310, § 6.52.320, § 6.52.330, § 6.52.340).
• ADU landscaping front‑setback percentages and related references appear in the code excerpts linked to ADU/subsection text (verify specific ADU section in the code). Not all ADU subsection § numbers were located in the retrieved material for direct § citation.

Additional municipal pages you may consult on GoCodebook (for process/context): Walnut Land Use, Walnut Development Standards, Walnut Parking, Walnut Overlay Districts, Walnut ADUs. Also see the state's construction standard reference: California Building Standards Code.

Retrieved passages

• Walnut Zoning Code High relevance show source text
• Walnut Zoning Code (Article I) High relevance show source text
• Walnut Zoning Code (§ 6.28.080.) High relevance show source text
• Walnut Zoning Code (§ 6.84.050.) High relevance show source text
• Walnut Zoning Code (§ 6.50.050.) High relevance show source text
• Walnut Zoning Code (§ 6.08.100.) High relevance show source text
• Walnut Zoning Code High relevance show source text
• Walnut Zoning Code High relevance show source text
• Walnut Zoning Code (§ 6.52.270.) Medium relevance show source text
• Walnut Zoning Code Medium relevance show source text
• Walnut Zoning Code (§ 6.52.340.) Medium relevance show source text
• Walnut Zoning Code (§ 6.28.070.) High relevance show source text
• Walnut Zoning Code (section is) High relevance show source text
• Walnut Zoning Code (§ 6.88.070.) High relevance show source text
• Walnut Zoning Code Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• The Walnut Municipal Code — Yard & fence standards: **§ 6.08.100** (permitted intrusions), **§ 6.08.110** (walls/fences/hedges) — § 6.08.100; § 6.08.110. (§ 6.08.100)
• R‑1 development standards (yards/fence rules): **§ 6.12.050**. (§ 6.12.050)
• R‑2 development standards (impervious/fence): **§ 6.28.070–090**. (§ 6.28.070)
• R‑3 yard/landscaping rules: **§ 6.32.060(E)**. (§ 6.32.060)
• C‑P masonry wall requirement and yard landscaping: **§ 6.36.070–090**. (§ 6.36.070)
• Site plan and architectural review criteria (landscaping, screening expectations): **§ 6.84.050**. (§ 6.84.050)
• Water Efficient Landscaping ordinance and permit thresholds: **§ 6.52.010** (purpose) and **§ 6.52.020** (applicability/permit thresholds). (§ 6.52.010)
• Oak/Walnut Tree Preservation (Article V): **§ 6.52.240 – § 6.52.340**, including application, protected zone, findings, mitigation, relocation and performance standards (**§ 6.52.300**, **§ 6.52.310**, **§ 6.52.320**, **§ 6.52.330**, **§ 6.52.340**). (Article V)
• ADU landscaping front‑setback percentages and related references appear in the code excerpts linked to ADU/subsection text (verify specific ADU section in the code). Not all ADU subsection § numbers were located in the retrieved material for direct § citation. (section in)
• Walnut_ZoningCode.md

• Official Walnut code library