Local zoning · Yolo County
Yolo County — Landscaping and Screening
Landscaping and Screening under the Yolo County local zoning and planning code, with the controlling citations.
Last reviewed: July 6, 2026
Overview
This page explains how Yolo County’s zoning regulations handle landscaping, screening, fences, and related features in the unincorporated areas. The County’s standards live in Title 8 of the Yolo County Code and apply across base zones and overlays, with focused rules for parking lots, residential fences, and special uses. For broader context on how these rules fit into zoning entitlements and site design, see the County’s zoning & planning overview, zoning, and development standards.
Key takeaway: In unincorporated Yolo County, non-agricultural parking lots must be landscaped to achieve 50% shade within 10 years and be screened from streets and nearby homes, with fence and planting-strip details controlled in § 8-2.1312.
Countywide landscaping and screening standards that commonly apply
- Parking lot landscaping and screening (non-ag zones)
- Landscape plan required; tree planting to achieve 50% shading of the parking surface within 10 years. The Planning Director may reduce/waive the 50% shade if the lot includes solar canopies or cool paving (§ 8-2.1312(a)(1)–(2)) .
- Use trees, shrubs, and groundcover emphasizing native/water-conserving plants; place landscaping so pedestrians don’t have to walk through planters; protect planter areas with curbs (§ 8-2.1312(a)(3)–(5)) .
- Screening: when a parking lot abuts residential, provide a minimum 5 ft landscape strip plus a solid fence at least 6 ft tall (reduced to 3 ft where next to the required front yard of the neighboring lot). Along streets, provide a landscape strip or berm between the right‑of‑way and the lot; keep visibility per County Improvement Standards (§ 8-2.1312(b)(1)–(2)) .
- Director may modify screening on a case-by-case basis when lot shape, grade, or intervening features justify it (§ 8-2.1312(b)(3)) .
- Residential fences, hedges, and trees
- In Residential (R) Zones: maximum fence height is 7 ft, with special front-yard and corner‑lot visibility limits. Near sidewalks, front fences over 3 ft are restricted; a 25 ft visibility triangle applies at street corners. Tree trunks within 20 ft of intersecting streets must be trimmed to 7.5 ft clear height (§ 8-2.1005(a)–(b)) .
- Water Efficient Landscaping Ordinance (WEL)
- Any project with lawn/landscaped areas must comply with Chapter 3 (WEL). Submittals and approvals are through a Landscape Documentation Package and a post‑installation Certificate of Completion (§ 8-2.1006; § 8-3.105; § 8-3.106) .
- Notable standards: at least 25% of the landscaped area must be native plants; flow sensors are required for all nonresidential landscapes and for residential landscapes of 5,000 sq ft or larger; hydrozones and low-volume irrigation for trees are required (§ 8-3.108(a)(2), (a)(18), (b)) .
For projects that also involve site circulation, illumination, or stall layout, coordinate early with County parking rules, and expect landscape plans to be part of design review when discretionary approvals apply.
District-by-district application
Below is how the County’s landscaping and screening provisions typically show up in each zoning family or overlay in unincorporated areas. Where a box is blank, standards were not found in retrieved materials.
Residential (R) Zones
- Purpose/uses: Single- and multi-family living; neighborhood-scale community uses. See base-zone use tables on the County’s zoning page for permitted uses.
- What matters for landscaping/screening:
- Residential fences/hedges up to 7 ft, with front-yard and corner‑lot visibility controls; add 1 ft of lattice to a 3 ft front fence if 50% open (§ 8-2.1005(a)(1)–(4)) .
- Tree trunks near intersections trimmed to 7.5 ft clear height (§ 8-2.1005(b)) .
- Parking lots serving residential projects (e.g., multi-family) must meet the non‑ag parking landscape/screen rules (§ 8-2.1312) .
- All new landscaped areas must meet the WEL submittal/planting/irrigation standards (§ 8-2.1006; § 8-3.105–106; § 8-3.108) .
Agricultural Zones — A-N, A-X, A-C, A-I, A-R
- Purpose/uses: Farming, ranching, agricultural support, and rural living. Typical allowances are summarized on land use.
- What matters for landscaping/screening:
- Parking lots in agricultural zones are excluded from the countywide parking‑lot landscaping requirement, unless a discretionary approval requires it (§ 8-2.1312(a)) .
- New landscaping, where proposed, still must satisfy the WEL submittals and standards (§ 8-2.1006; § 8-3.105–106; § 8-3.108) .
Commercial Zones (e.g., C‑G)
- Purpose/uses: Retail, services, and mixed commercial centers; C‑G is cited in the PD overlay example (§ 8-2.906(a)(2)) .
- What matters for landscaping/screening:
- Parking lot landscaping/shade plan, planter location/curbing, and screening from streets and homes are required (§ 8-2.1312) .
- Coordinate with on‑site signage so berms/plantings do not block permitted signs.
Industrial (I) Zones
- Purpose/uses: Manufacturing, warehousing, logistics, and similar uses.
- What matters for landscaping/screening:
- Same non‑ag parking landscaping and neighbor/street screening rules apply (§ 8-2.1312) .
- Director can modify screening case‑by‑case where site constraints warrant (§ 8-2.1312(b)(3)) .
Planned Development (PD) Overlay
- Purpose/uses: Customized development standards adopted with a rezoning and detailed plan.
- What matters for landscaping/screening:
- PD applications must include proposed landscaping, fencing, and screening as part of the precise plan (§ 8-2.906(a)(4)(vi)) .
- Base‑zone development standards apply unless modified by the PD adopting ordinance (§ 8-2.906(a)(3)) . Expect landscape conditions through design review.
Specific Plan (S‑P) and Natural Heritage (NH‑O) Overlays
- Purpose/uses: Large planned areas or habitat-oriented planning; interim ag uses may occur.
- What matters for landscaping/screening:
- Applications reference the same base‑zone development standards and must include landscaping, fencing, screening when plans are processed (§ 8-2.906(a); § 8-2.906(a)(4)(vi)) .
Cannabis Land Uses (Article 14)
- Purpose/uses: Licensed cannabis cultivation/processing/retail per County ordinance.
- What matters for landscaping/screening:
- Landscaping and irrigation must comply with Chapter 3 WEL; screening is governed by § 8-2.1408(KK) (Screening). The code explicitly cross‑references “See requirements for Screening (Section 8-2.1408(KK)).” (§ 8-2.1408(Y)) .
- Vegetative screening species must be approved by the County Agricultural Commissioner and be expected to achieve screening within five years; fencing generally up to 7 ft, with case‑by‑case allowance above 7 ft through the Cannabis Use Permit; razor wire prohibited; if not visible from public rights‑of‑way, screening may not be required (§ 8-2.1408(KK), selected provisions) .
Nonconforming uses (screening for junk yards)
- Purpose/uses: Bring longstanding nonconforming uses closer to compatibility.
- What matters for landscaping/screening:
- Nonconforming junk yards must be fully enclosed within a building or screened by a continuous solid fence 8–12 ft tall or equivalent hedgerow; the operation must remain substantially screened at all times, with plans approved by the Planning Director (§ 8-2.1007(n)) .
- See Nonconforming Uses for the broader framework.
Key standards at a glance
| Requirement | Core metric | Where it applies | Code Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parking lot tree shading | 50% of paved surface shaded within 10 years; Director may reduce for solar/cool paving | All non‑ag zones parking lots | § 8-2.1312(a)(2) |
| Plant palette emphasis | Use native, water‑conserving species in a mix of trees/shrubs/groundcover | All non‑ag zones parking lots | § 8-2.1312(a)(3) |
| Planter placement/curbing | Don’t force pedestrians through planters; curb plant beds | All non‑ag zones parking lots | § 8-2.1312(a)(4)–(5) |
| Screen next to homes | Min. 5 ft landscape strip + 6 ft solid fence (3 ft at adjoining required front yard) | Where parking abuts residential | § 8-2.1312(b)(1) |
| Screen along streets | Landscape strip or berm between right‑of‑way and lot; maintain intersection/driveway visibility | Parking lots along public streets | § 8-2.1312(b)(2) |
| Fence height (R Zones) | Max 7 ft; front-yard and corner‑visibility limits; +1 ft lattice (50% open) allowed on 3 ft front fence | Residential (R) Zones | § 8-2.1005(a) |
| Tree trunk clearance | Trim to 7.5 ft height within 20 ft of intersecting streets | Residential frontages | § 8-2.1005(b) |
| WEL native plant minimum | ≥25% of landscaped area must be native plants | WEL‑regulated projects | § 8-3.108(a)(2) |
| WEL flow sensors | Required for all nonresidential and ≥5,000 sf residential landscapes | WEL‑regulated projects | § 8-3.108(a)(18) |
| Cannabis screening | Vegetative screen approved by Ag Commissioner; opaque fencing; >7 ft by case only; no razor wire | Cannabis facilities | § 8-2.1408(KK) (selected provisions) |
| Nonconforming junk yards | 8–12 ft continuous solid fence or hedgerow; must stay substantially screened | Nonconforming junk yards | § 8-2.1007(n) |
Practical guidance
- Coordinate your landscape plan, lighting, circulation, and parking design together; tree islands and walkways should be laid out so people don’t cut through planters (§ 8-2.1312(a)(4)) .
- On corner lots in R Zones, site fences and hedges with the 25‑ft visibility triangle in mind; check driveway sight distance against County Improvement Standards referenced in the screening rules (§ 8-2.1005(a)(4); § 8-2.1312(b)(2)) .
- The Planning Director can adjust screening based on topography and site features—ask early if you’re dealing with odd lot shapes or elevation changes (§ 8-2.1312(b)(3)) .
- If you are in a PD or other overlay, expect landscaping, fencing, and screening to be part of your submittal package; consult overlay districts and design review expectations (§ 8-2.906(a)(4)(vi)) .
Checklist
- Is the site in an agricultural zone? If yes, the parking‑lot landscape rules may not apply unless a discretionary approval requires them (§ 8-2.1312(a)) .
- Prepare a landscape and irrigation plan showing 50% parking-lot shade in 10 years, planter layout/curbs, and a street/neighbor screening strategy (§ 8-2.1312) .
- For R‑zoned homes, confirm fence heights and corner/drive visibility rules; trim street‑corner tree trunks to 7.5 ft (§ 8-2.1005) .
- Submit the WEL Landscape Documentation Package; after installation, file the Certificate of Completion (§ 8-3.105–106) .
- Use at least 25% native plants; include required flow sensors and hydrozones per WEL (§ 8-3.108) .
- If cannabis is involved, include vegetative screening and fence details consistent with § 8-2.1408(KK); consult the Agricultural Commissioner early (§ 8-2.1408(Y), (KK)) .
- If nonconforming junk‑yard screening applies, design an 8–12 ft fence or hedgerow and obtain Director approval (§ 8-2.1007(n)) .
- If you need relief from a standard, discuss eligibility for variances and exceptions.
Risks & Ambiguities
| Issue | Why it matters | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| How to measure 50% shade | Tree canopy projections vary by species and spacing | Confirm the shade-calculation method in your landscape plan; Director discretion on solar/cool paving reductions (§ 8-2.1312(a)(2)) |
| Agricultural-zone applicability | Ag zones are excluded from parking-lot landscaping by default | Whether a Use Permit or other discretionary approval is adding landscaping conditions (§ 8-2.1312(a)) |
| Fence rules outside R Zones | The code excerpted fence heights only for R Zones | Not found in retrieved materials—verify with the jurisdiction |
| Street/intersection sight lines | Screening along streets must respect sight distance | County Improvement Standards control sight triangles (§ 8-2.1312(b)(2)); confirm with County engineering staff |
| Cannabis screening details | Vegetative/fence specs are site- and visibility-dependent | Coordinate early with Planning and the Agricultural Commissioner; see § 8-2.1408(Y), (KK) |
| PD/overlay deviations | Overlays can tailor standards | PD adopting ordinance governs; include landscape/screening in submittals (§ 8-2.906(a)(3)–(4)(vi)) |
Plain-English Summary
If you’re building in unincorporated Yolo County, expect to landscape and screen parking lots (unless you’re in an agricultural zone), use native and water‑efficient plants, and follow fence rules in residential areas. Parking lots need trees that shade half the pavement within 10 years and must be buffered from streets and nearby homes; your landscape plan and water‑efficiency paperwork are part of the approval process.
Source References
- § 8-2.1312 Landscaping and screening (parking lots; screening to streets/residential; Director modifications)
- § 8-2.1005 Fences and walls, hedges, and trees (R Zones; corner visibility; tree trimming)
- § 8-2.1006 Landscaping (WEL applicability)
- § 8-3.105 Approval; § 8-3.106 Certificate of Completion; § 8-3.108 Landscaping standards (WEL submittals, native minimum, irrigation/flows, hydrozones)
- § 8-2.906 PD overlay (submittal must include landscaping, fencing, screening; base standards may be modified)
- § 8-2.1408 Cannabis Land Use Ordinance (landscaping reference; screening and fencing)
- § 8-2.1007(n) Nonconforming junk yards (fence/hedgerow screening)
Sources
Retrieved passages
- Yolo County Zoning Code High relevance
- Yolo County Zoning Code (§ 12) High relevance
- Yolo County Zoning Code (Section 8-) High relevance
- Yolo County Zoning Code (Chapter 3) High relevance
- CWUIC § 65850.6 (Title 24) High relevance
- Yolo County Zoning Code (§ 15) High relevance
- Yolo County Zoning Code (Section 6255) High relevance
- CFC § 8 (Section 8-2.306) Medium relevance
Cited sections
- § 8-2.1312 Landscaping and screening (parking lots; screening to streets/residential; Director modifications) (§ 8-2.1312)
- § 8-2.1005 Fences and walls, hedges, and trees (R Zones; corner visibility; tree trimming) (§ 8-2.1005)
- § 8-2.1006 Landscaping (WEL applicability) (§ 8-2.1006)
- § 8-3.105 Approval; § 8-3.106 Certificate of Completion; § 8-3.108 Landscaping standards (WEL submittals, native minimum, irrigation/flows, hydrozones) (§ 8-3.105)
- § 8-2.906 PD overlay (submittal must include landscaping, fencing, screening; base standards may be modified) (§ 8-2.906)
- § 8-2.1408 Cannabis Land Use Ordinance (landscaping reference; screening and fencing) (§ 8-2.1408)
- § 8-2.1007(n) Nonconforming junk yards (fence/hedgerow screening) (§ 8-2.1007)
- YoloCounty_ZoningCode.md
Frequently asked questions
What landscaping is required for a commercial parking lot in unincorporated Yolo County?
Provide a landscape/irrigation plan with trees that will shade at least 50% of the paved area within 10 years, use native/water‑efficient plants, place planters to avoid pedestrian cut‑throughs, and curb planter beds. Also buffer the lot from streets with a landscape strip or berm and from homes with a 5 ft landscape strip plus a 6 ft solid fence (§ 8-2.1312) .
Do the parking-lot landscaping rules apply in agricultural zones?
Generally no. Parking lots in agricultural zones are excluded from the parking‑lot landscaping requirement unless a discretionary approval imposes it (§ 8-2.1312(a)) .
How high can my fence be on a residential lot in unincorporated Yolo County?
In Residential (R) Zones, fences/hedges can be up to 7 ft tall. Within the front setback, height is more limited (including a 3‑ft height near the sidewalk/edge of pavement) and a 25‑ft visibility triangle applies on corner lots; you may add 1 ft of 50%‑open lattice to a 3‑ft front fence (§ 8-2.1005(a)) .
What water-efficient landscaping submittals are required?
Projects with lawn/landscape must file a Landscape Documentation Package and, after installation, a Certificate of Completion. Expect requirements like ≥25% native plants, hydrozones, low‑volume tree irrigation, and flow sensors on nonresidential (and large residential) systems (§ 8-3.105–106; § 8-3.108) .
Can the screening rules be adjusted for my site’s odd shape or grade?
Possibly. The Planning Director may modify screening case‑by‑case if special lot conditions or intervening features meet the section’s objectives. Ask early and document the constraints (§ 8-2.1312(b)(3)) .
Are there special screening rules for cannabis facilities?
Yes. Cannabis sites must meet WEL landscaping and specific screening standards in § 8-2.1408(KK), including vegetative screening approved by the Agricultural Commissioner and opaque, durable fencing; sites not visible from public roads may not need screening (§ 8-2.1408(Y), (KK)) .
How are parking lots screened along public streets?
Provide a landscaped strip or berm between the lot and the street right‑of‑way; maintain required visibility at intersections and driveways under County Improvement Standards (§ 8-2.1312(b)(2)) .
What screening is required for nonconforming junk yards?
Within one year of becoming nonconforming, they must be fully enclosed or screened by a continuous solid fence 8–12 ft tall or an equivalent hedgerow, with plans approved by the Planning Director (§ 8-2.1007(n)) .
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