Local zoning · Westlake Village

Westlake Village — Landscaping and Screening

Q: When do I need a licensed landscape architect for my project?

If the project’s required landscaped area exceeds 1,000 square feet , the landscape documentation package must be prepared by a landscape architect registered in California — single‑family private yards and private areas of attached units are exceptions — § 9.16.030(B) .

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

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Last reviewed: July 3, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the Westlake Village zoning/planning ordinance requires for landscaping, screening, buffers, fences/walls, and tree protection. It is drawn from the City’s zoning chapters (not state building rules) and explains which standards apply in different local zones, where to find the controlling code, and practical steps applicants should expect. For related topics see the City’s Westlake Village Zoning and the City's Development Standards pages; other related processes such as design review, parking, overlay districts, ADUs, and the California Building Standards Code are linked at first mention where they matter.

Code framework (what chapters control landscaping & screening)

General landscaping purpose and standards: Chapter 9.16 — Landscaping Standards (purpose, plan submittal, planting and irrigation minimums) — see § 9.16.010–§ 9.16.070 .
Fences, walls, and screening rules (heights, prohibited materials, permit required): § 9.14.050 .
Development standards for residential, planned developments and commercial zones (yard rules that affect where landscaping and screening sit): § 9.14.020 (R-1, RPD, CPD, etc.) .
Westlake North Specific Plan (backbone landscaping, freeway and cemetery interface, Planning Areas A–F): Chapter 9.24 (numerous requirements for planting plans, berms, decorative walls, and timing of installation) — see § 9.24.040–§ 9.24.120 .
Oak / protected tree preservation rules and construction limits near oaks: Chapter 9.21 (Oak tree preservation) — see § 9.21 for work buffers, protection and supervision requirements during construction .
Irrigation design criteria and water‑efficiency rules (reference to State Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance): § 9.16.050 and § 9.16.070 .
Vacant-property / demolition temporary landscaping and fencing requirements: § 9.40.020 (landscaping, fencing and maintenance agreements; minimum six‑foot barrier for vacant lots) and related demolition conditions .

District-by-district breakdown

Note: The ordinance uses conventional zone names. Where a provision is universal (e.g., fence heights) the specific section is cited.

R-1 — Single-Family Residential

Purpose / typical uses: Single-family dwellings and accessory uses; this is Westlake Village’s standard single‑family zone. Development standards (height, yards, lot area) are listed under § 9.14.020 A. Key dimensional rules include 20 ft front yard, 25 ft rear yard, side-yard rules expressed as percentages (see § 9.14.020 A) .
Landscaping/screening specifics: Front/side setbacks abutting streets must keep fences, walls, hedges or view obstructions to no more than 42 inches in height; maximum fence/wall height elsewhere is 6 ft as measured from either side (subject to permits) — see § 9.14.050 .
Practical effect: For a typical R-1 lot you can expect to place screening behind your front setback up to 6 ft, but any fence/hedge in the front or street-side setback must be kept at ≤ 42 in and may require a fence permit if above 42 in inside the city (see § 9.14.050) .

RPD — Residential Planned Development

Purpose / typical uses: Planned multi- or single-family developments subject to design review; yard and open-space requirements mirror R-1 for detached units but multifamily rules differ — see § 9.14.020 B and applicable PDP findings in § 9.6.120 .
Landscaping/screening specifics: Projects processed through Planned Development/Design Review must submit detailed landscape and irrigation plans as part of site/design review; CC&Rs commonly require maintenance provisions for on-site landscaping — see § 9.16.030 and the RPD findings in § 9.6.120 .
Practical effect: Larger RPD projects trigger professionally prepared landscape documentation (if >1,000 sq ft of required landscape areas, a licensed landscape architect is typically required) — § 9.16.030(B) .

CPD / Commercial Zones (including Business Park / Area E / Area D)

Purpose / typical uses: Commercial and planned commercial/office uses; see development standard charts in § 9.14.020 C and Westlake North Specific Plan tables for Planning Areas (Area D, E) .
Landscaping/screening specifics: Where commercial/industrial property abuts a residential zone, a landscaped, solid, decorative wall six (6) feet in height is required along the property line as part of development (as viewed from adjacent properties) — § 9.14.050(B)(5) . Parking adjacent to freeways must be screened with a berm at least 42 inches high and other freeway setback/landscape requirements apply in the Westlake North Specific Plan (see § 9.24.100) .
Practical effect: Commercial projects will routinely need walls, berms and continuous landscape buffers where they meet residential properties — budget for masonry wall + plantings and a landscape documentation package.

MHP — Mobile Home Park

Purpose / typical uses: Mobile home park development and related accessory uses; development standards in Chapter 9.7. Screening rules specific to stored vehicles and project edges: storage and service areas must be enclosed and screened by a 6‑ft decorative masonry wall plus landscaping in some cases — see § 9.7.020(3) and § 9.14.050 .

Westlake North Specific Plan (Planning Areas A–F)

Where it applies: The Specific Plan area has its own backbone landscaping and special‑area standards in Chapter 9.24 (exhibits and Planning Area development standards) .
Landscaping/screening specifics: Backbone landscape plans, required planting palettes, minimum tree sizes (e.g., 15‑gallon minimum; specimen entry trees 36‑inch box or larger), timing of backbone installation within 90 days of rough grading, and cemetery/freightway perimeter walls and buffers are specified in § 9.24.040–§ 9.24.100 .
Practical effect: Any project inside the Westlake North area must strictly follow the Specific Plan’s planting lists, sizes and installation timing; the landscape architect must certify compliance before occupancy.

Key rules and quick reference table

Topic	Code rule / numeric standard	Code Reference
Fence/permit threshold (citywide)	Fence permit required for fences/walls exceeding 42 in within the city (permit via Planning Director/City Manager)	§ 9.14.050(A)
Maximum general fence/wall height	6 ft max for fences/walls (other than retaining walls) measured from either side	§ 9.14.050(B)(1)
Front/street setback fence height (residential & nonresidential)	≤ 42 in in front or side yard setback abutting a street	§ 9.14.050(B)(3)
Commercial‑residential interface	6 ft landscaped, solid decorative wall required along property line where commercial/industrial abuts residential	§ 9.14.050(B)(5)
Landscape plan submittal & pro requirement	If required landscaped area > 1,000 sq ft, plan must be prepared by a licensed landscape architect (except single‑family / private areas)	§ 9.16.030(B)
Irrigation/runoff standard	Irrigation systems must avoid runoff, overspray; recycled water dual systems required where feasible	§ 9.16.050(A–C)
Water efficiency	State Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance adopted and incorporated by reference; local chapter applies in addition	§ 9.16.070
Oak/protected trees	No grading/trenching within dripline or within 10 ft of trunk; construction adjacent to oaks requires on‑site arborist supervision	§ 9.21
Westlake North specimen tree sizes	Minimum tree size 15 gal; specimen project entry trees 36‑inch box	§ 9.24 (§ 9.24.040 et seq.)

Practical guidance / synthesis (plain-English, for applicants and reviewers)

If your project creates or modifies required landscaped areas (commercial, industrial, developer-installed landscaping in multifamily or large single‑family projects), expect to prepare a full landscape documentation package: planting plan, irrigation plan, and grading plan. If the required landscaped area is over 1,000 sq ft, a registered landscape architect must sign the plans (single‑family private yards are excepted) — § 9.16.030(B–C) .
Fences that face streets or sit inside front setbacks are capped at 42 inches; fences elsewhere are limited to 6 ft. If you want a taller retaining wall or a taller combined deck/wall visible off-site, be prepared to provide mitigation (berming, landscaping, texturing or similar) and get the Planning Director’s approval — § 9.14.050(B)(1,3,6) .
Where commercial or industrial property borders residential property the code requires a 6‑foot solid decorative wall plus landscaping. That is not optional at development — plan for masonry walls and a maintenance plan/CC&R if the project is multiowner — § 9.14.050(B)(5) .
For projects in the Westlake North Specific Plan area, follow the Specific Plan’s backbone planting palette and minimum sizes (e.g., 15 gal minimum trees; 36‑inch box for entry specimens). Backbone landscaping must be installed on schedule and certified by the project landscape architect prior to occupancy — § 9.24.040 .
Tree protection matters: oak trees and other protected trees have strict no‑work buffers (no grading/trenching within the dripline or within 10 ft of trunk), limitations on irrigation near trunks, and requirements for on‑site arborist supervision during grading — § 9.21 . Verify whether a tree removal permit or mitigation planting is required (see § 9.21).
Water rules: Westlake Village adopts the State’s Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance and layers local Chapter 9.16 requirements on top — irrigation plans must be submitted and constructed to avoid runoff and overspray; recycled water dual systems are required where feasible — § 9.16.050; § 9.16.070 .

Checklist

Determine zone for your property (e.g., R-1, RPD, CPD, Specific Plan) and confirm applicable development standards in § 9.14.020 .
If project is in Westlake North area, review the Specific Plan backbone palette and exhibits; plan for 15‑gal minimum trees and 36‑inch box specimen trees at entries where required — § 9.24 .
Prepare a landscape documentation package (planting, irrigation, grading). If required landscaped area > 1,000 sq ft, have a licensed landscape architect prepare or stamp the plans — § 9.16.030(B) .
Prepare irrigation plans to avoid runoff/overspray and evaluate recycled water feasibility — § 9.16.050 .
Submit fence/wall location and materials with permit application if any fence/wall will exceed 42 in in a front/side setback or is within the city otherwise — § 9.14.050(A–B) .
Identify protected trees (oak or others) and include an oak/tree protection plan; expect arborist supervision for grading within proximity to protected trees — § 9.21 .
For commercial-residential interfaces, budget for a 6‑ft decorative masonry wall plus planting along the shared property line — § 9.14.050(B)(5) .
Confirm maintenance and replacement obligations (landscape areas must be maintained and dead/dying plant material must be replaced) — § 9.16.020(E) .

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Exact fence permit fees and form/process	The code requires a permit in many cases but does not list fees in the landscaping chapters	Verify current fence permit form, fee schedule and submittal checklist with Planning/Building counter (Verify with the jurisdiction) — not in retrieved materials
Whether a particular tree is “protected”	Oak and other protected trees trigger work buffers and arborist requirements; parcel-specific designation may vary	Verify tree status and any required tree removal/mitigation permits with Planning and consult § 9.21
Specific planting palette exceptions in Westlake North	The Specific Plan lists plant materials but allows additions/deletions subject to City approval	Confirm which Exhibit (6–11) applies to your Planning Area and obtain City approval for any substitutions — see § 9.24.040
Combined height of decks + walls when viewed off-site	The code requires screening for combinations that create the appearance of >8 ft in residential zones, but “appearance” determinations are discretionary	Expect Planning Director review and mitigation (berming, paint, texture, landscaping); verify by pre‑application meeting — § 9.14.050(B)(6)
Slope and erosion‑control planting minimums	The ordinance gives numeric planting densities for slopes, but mapping of which slopes qualifies is parcel‑specific	Verify grading permits and slope area calculations with the City and soils engineer; see slope planting rules in Chapter 9.16 (specific sub‑section)

Plain-English Summary

Westlake Village requires professionally prepared landscape and irrigation plans for most non‑trivial projects, limits fences in front yards to 42 inches and elsewhere to 6 feet, requires decorative 6‑foot walls where commercial meets residential, enforces oak/tree protection (no grading within driplines or within 10 ft of trunks), and adopts state water‑efficient landscaping rules — consult the listed sections above and plan for city review and maintenance obligations (Verify with the jurisdiction where site‑specific). See the City’s Design Review and Parking pages if your project also touches those topics.

Information Gaps

Current fence permit application form and exact fee amounts: Not found in retrieved materials (Verify with the jurisdiction).
Full text of Exhibits 6–11 (graphics and planting schematics for Westlake North): Exhibits are referenced but not included in the retrieved text (Verify with the jurisdiction).
Parcel‑level mapping of protected trees and whether a given tree on a specific lot requires a tree removal permit: Not found in retrieved materials (Verify with the jurisdiction).
Appeals/variance procedure timeline specifically tied to landscaping/fence permits: The code references variances generally but an explicit procedural timeline for fence variances was not located (Verify with the jurisdiction).

Source References

Chapter 9.16 — LANDSCAPING STANDARDS (purpose; plan submittal; irrigation; water efficiency) — § 9.16.010–§ 9.16.070 .
Fences, Walls and Screening — § 9.14.050 (permit requirement, 42 in front/street setback; 6 ft general max; commercial/residential wall) .
Development standards by zone (R‑1, RPD, CPD, setbacks, heights) — § 9.14.020 (A, B, C) .
Westlake North Specific Plan — Backbone landscaping, planting palette, installation timing, specimen tree sizes — § 9.24.040–§ 9.24.120 .
Oak Tree Preservation Standards — § 9.21 (no grading/trenching within dripline or within 10 ft; arborist supervision) .
Irrigation Design Criteria (runoff, reclaimed water, design) — § 9.16.050 .
Vacant property landscaping/fencing/maintenance agreement and demolition conditions — § 9.40.020 and related subsections .

Sources

Retrieved passages

Westlake Village Zoning Code (section shall) High relevance
Westlake Village Zoning Code (Section 9.25) High relevance
Westlake Village Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance
Westlake Village Zoning Code (Section governing) High relevance
Westlake Village Zoning Code (Section shall) High relevance
Westlake Village Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance
Westlake Village Zoning Code High relevance
Westlake Village Zoning Code (Section 4.8.010) High relevance

Cited sections

Official Westlake Village code library

Frequently asked questions

What fences are allowed in my front yard in Westlake Village?

Front-yard and street-side fences, walls or hedges in both residential and (with exceptions) nonresidential setbacks are limited to a maximum height of 42 inches; a fence permit is required if you propose a fence/wall exceeding 42 inches within the City — see § 9.14.050(A–B) .

Can I build a 7‑foot wall between my commercial property and adjacent homes?

No — where commercial or industrial property abuts residential property, the code requires a landscaped, solid, decorative wall six (6) feet in height as part of development. A taller wall would be subject to discretionary review and likely need justification/variance — § 9.14.050(B)(5) .

When do I need a licensed landscape architect for my project?

If the project’s required landscaped area exceeds 1,000 square feet, the landscape documentation package must be prepared by a landscape architect registered in California — single‑family private yards and private areas of attached units are exceptions — § 9.16.030(B) .

Does Westlake Village require water‑efficient landscapes?

Yes — the City adopted the California State Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance and applies local Chapter 9.16 requirements in addition; irrigation plans must avoid runoff/overspray and use recycled water systems where feasible — § 9.16.050; § 9.16.070 .

Are oak trees protected during construction?

Yes — the Oak Tree Preservation standards prohibit grading/trenching within the dripline or within 10 ft of the trunk (whichever is greater), prohibit planting/irrigation within 10 ft of the trunk, and require on‑site arborist supervision for adjacent grading — see § 9.21 .

What landscaping is required along freeways or at the Westlake North area edges?

The Westlake North Specific Plan requires specific freeway frontage treatments including parking setbacks with screening by a landscaped berm at least 42 inches in height and building setbacks for floors by distance; cemetery perimeters require a decorative masonry wall/wrought‑iron fence with a landscape buffer — see § 9.24.100–§ 9.24.110 .

Do I need to maintain landscape areas after project completion?

Yes — required landscape areas must be continually maintained; dead or dying plants must be replaced in accordance with the approved landscape plan — § 9.16.020(E–F) .

If my project combines a high deck and retaining wall, how is visibility handled?

In residential zones, decks, fences and walls (including retaining walls) that exceed 8 ft in height, or combinations that create the appearance of a wall higher than 8 ft when viewed off the property, must be screened by berming, paint, texturing, landscaping, or a combination to the Planning Director’s satisfaction — § 9.14.050(B)(6) .

Are there special landscaping rules for vacant lots or demolition?

Yes — when buildings are demolished and property stays vacant, the City may require a landscaping, fencing and maintenance agreement, installation of landscaping and a minimum 6‑ft high fence or hedge acceptable to the Director, as part of demolition conditions — § 9.40.020 .

Where can I find the required planting lists for Westlake North projects?

The Westlake North Specific Plan includes Exhibits (6–11) with the backbone planting palette and minimum sizes (e.g., 15‑gal trees; 36‑inch box for entry specimens). The Specific Plan text requires site‑specific plans to reflect these exhibits; the exhibits themselves should be obtained from the City’s planning files — § 9.24.040 .

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