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Lindsay — Landscaping and Screening

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

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Quick answer

Lindsay generally requires a solid screen wall of at least 7 ft where C or I sites abut or face residential/office districts, outside any required front yard (§ 18.10.070; § 18.11.050). Parking lots in RM, PO, C, and I must landscape at least 5% of their interior (§ 18.13.070(2)). In industrial zones, front-yard fences are capped at 3 ft (chain-link exception) and corner triangles are 30 ft with a 4 ft height limit (§ 18.11.050).

Last reviewed: July 25, 2026 · AI-generated analysis · General information, not legal advice · details

Compiled from Lindsay's adopted code with AI research tools and grounded in the sources cited below. Verify with Lindsay planning staff before relying on it.

Overview

Lindsay’s zoning code concentrates its landscaping and screening rules where land-use conflicts are most likely: at the edges of commercial and industrial sites, in off-street parking areas, and in certain combined or master-planned developments. Expect mandatory solid walls or equivalent screens when commercial or industrial sites touch or face residential or office districts, minimum interior landscaping within larger parking fields, and ongoing maintenance obligations. Site-specific requirements are commonly added through design review.

When a commercial or industrial site in Lindsay abuts or faces a residential or office district, a solid screening wall or fence of at least seven feet is typically required along the shared property line, outside any required front yard (§ 18.10.070; § 18.11.050).

Citywide baselines you should know

  • Landscaping maintenance everywhere: Any landscaped area required by Title 18 or imposed through approvals must use live plants suitable for screening or ornamentation, be replaced as needed, and be irrigated automatically if the site is subject to design review (§ 18.15.070).
  • Parking-lot landscaping minimums: In the RM, PO, C, or I districts, not less than 5% of the interior of a parking area must be landscaped with distributed trees and plantings (§ 18.13.070(2)).
  • Screening at commercial parking edges: Where a parking area in any C district adjoins UR, RA, R, RM, or PO, an ornamental solid wall/fence, vine-covered open fence, or compact screening device must be located on the common property line, outside required front yards (§ 18.13.070(1)).
  • Site Plan (Design) Review can add buffers: Conditions may include special yards/buffers, fences/walls, landscaping, and refuse enclosure screening (§ 18.18.040).
  • Through lots have two front yards: If your parcel is a “through lot,” each street frontage is a front yard—this affects where screening walls are prohibited “in a required front yard” (§ 18.15.060).

District-by-district rules

CN — Neighborhood Commercial (C district family)

  • Purpose and typical uses: Not found in source materials.
  • Key screening/landscaping:
    • Edge screening: If the site adjoins or is across a street/alley from RCO, UR, R, RM, or PO, provide an ornamental solid wall/fence 7 ft minimum, or other screening as the City Council may require; not in a required front yard (§ 18.10.070(1)).
    • Open storage: Must be within an area screened by a 7 ft solid wall/fence; storage cannot project above the screen (§ 18.10.070(1)(2)).
    • Parking interiors: If applicable, landscape at least 5% of the parking interior (§ 18.13.070(2)).
  • Dimensional tie-ins that affect screens:
    • Minimum front yard when abutting residential/office: 15 ft; same if fronting the same street (§ 18.10.070(5)).
    • Side/rear yards abutting residential/office: 10 ft minimum (§ 18.10.070(5)(1)-(2)).
  • Where it applies: Commercial “C” district sites designated as CN in Lindsay’s zoning.

CC — Central Commercial (C district family)

  • Purpose and typical uses: Not found in source materials.
  • Key screening/landscaping:
    • Same edge screening and open storage rules as CN; 7 ft solid screen required at sensitive edges; no screens in required front yards (§ 18.10.070(1)-(2)).
    • Parking interiors: 5% minimum landscaping where applicable (§ 18.13.070(2)).
    • Street trees/landscaping: May be required under Chapter 18.19 (Planned Unit Developments) (§ 18.10.070(1)(3)).
  • Dimensional tie-ins:
    • Minimum front yard: 0 ft in CBD; 15 ft outside CBD when abutting residential/office; 10 ft when fronting the same street (§ 18.10.070(5)).
    • Side/rear yards abutting residential/office: 10 ft (§ 18.10.070(5)(1)-(2)).
  • Where it applies: Central commercial areas mapped CC in the zoning.

CS — Service Commercial (C district family)

  • Purpose and typical uses: Not found in source materials.
  • Key screening/landscaping:
    • Same 7 ft edge screens and open storage screening as other C districts; keep screens out of required front yards (§ 18.10.070(1)-(2)).
    • Parking interiors: 5% minimum landscaping where applicable (§ 18.13.070(2)).
  • Dimensional tie-ins:
    • Minimum front yard: 0 ft (general); 10 ft when fronting the same street as residential/office (§ 18.10.070(5)).
    • Side/rear yards abutting residential/office: 10 ft (§ 18.10.070(5)(1)-(2)).
  • Where it applies: Service commercial areas mapped CS.

CH — Highway Commercial (C district family)

  • Purpose and typical uses: Not found in source materials.
  • Key screening/landscaping:
    • Same 7 ft edge screens and open storage screening as other C districts; not in required front yards (§ 18.10.070(1)-(2)).
    • Parking interiors: 5% minimum landscaping where applicable (§ 18.13.070(2)).
  • Dimensional tie-ins:
    • Minimum front yard: 10 ft; 15 ft when fronting the same street as residential/office (§ 18.10.070(5)).
    • Side/rear yards abutting residential/office: 10 ft (§ 18.10.070(5)(1)-(2)).
  • Where it applies: Highway-oriented commercial mapped CH.

IL — Light Industrial

  • Purpose and typical uses: Not found in source materials.
  • Key screening/landscaping:
    • Edge screen to sensitive districts: If adjoining UR, RCO, RA, R, RM, PO, or C, install a 7 ft solid wall/screen fence (other solutions may be required by the Planning Department); not in required front yards (§ 18.11.050(1)(1)).
    • “Unsightly” outdoor activity across from homes: If a use is not fully enclosed and is across a street/alley from UR, RA, R, RM, or CC and deemed unsightly, screen with a 7 ft ornamental wall/screen fence (§ 18.11.050(1)(2)).
    • Open storage: Must be surrounded and screened by an ornamental solid wall/fence or compact evergreen hedge with solid gates, at least 7 ft high (§ 18.11.050(1)(3)).
    • Corner visibility triangle: Within the triangle formed by points 30 ft along intersecting street property lines, no fence/wall/hedge exceeding 4 ft may be located, and the top 1 ft must be ≥50% open (§ 18.11.050(1)(4)).
    • Yard fence heights: In required side/rear yards, max 7 ft; in required front yards, max 3 ft, but chain-link taller than 3 ft is allowed in the required front yard (§ 18.11.050(1)(5)).
    • Parking interiors: 5% minimum landscaping where applicable (§ 18.13.070(2)).
  • Where it applies: Light industrial areas mapped IL.

IH — Heavy Industrial

  • Purpose and typical uses: Not found in source materials.
  • Key screening/landscaping:
    • Same adjacency screening to sensitive districts as IL with 7 ft solid screening outside required front yards (§ 18.11.050(1)(1)).
    • “Unsightly” outdoor activity across from homes: same 7 ft screening standard (§ 18.11.050(1)(2)).
    • Parking interiors: 5% minimum landscaping where applicable (§ 18.13.070(2)).
    • Note: The IL-specific open-storage hedging spec is not expressly repeated for IH; verify for IH open storage.
  • Where it applies: Heavy industrial areas mapped IH.

RM — Multi-Family Residential (RM-MH8, RM-3.0, RM-2.0, RM-1.5)

  • Purpose and typical uses: Not found in source materials.
  • Key screening/landscaping:
    • Fences/Walls/Hedges: Allowed “in accordance with § 18.06.050.” Detailed RM fence height/placement limits are not provided in the source materials (§ 18.08.050(1)).
    • Parking interiors: Any parking area in RM requires at least 5% interior landscaping (§ 18.13.070(2)).
    • Multi-family site plan: Multi-family uses (with limited exceptions) require design review, which may impose landscaping/screens and maintenance (§ 18.08.060; § 18.18.040).
  • Where it applies: Multi-family areas mapped as RM-MH8, RM-3.0, RM-2.0, RM-1.5 in land use and zoning.

PO — Professional Office

  • Purpose and typical uses: Not found in source materials.
  • Key screening/landscaping:
    • Parking interiors in PO: If a parking area is provided, at least 5% of the interior must be landscaped (§ 18.13.070(2)).
    • Adjacency triggers: Commercial and industrial neighbors must screen along common lines when they abut PO; PO-specific fence standards not found.
  • Where it applies: Professional office areas mapped PO.

RCO — Resource Conservation and Open Space

  • Purpose: Preserve permanent open spaces with significant vegetation/scenic/recreation potential (§ 18.04.010).
  • Key screening/landscaping:
    • Fences/Walls/Hedges: “No limitation” in the district, except as may be required by Conditional Use Permits or design review (§ 18.04.050(1); Ch. 18.17; Ch. 18.18).
    • Adjacency note: Commercial/industrial neighbors must screen where they abut RCO; screens are typically placed on the common property line outside front yards (§ 18.10.070(1); § 18.11.050(1)(1)).
  • Where it applies: Areas designated RCO in the zoning.

Combining/Planned settings that add landscape specifics

  • Combined or master-planned residential developments: A landscaping and irrigation plan is required, emphasizing native/drought-tolerant species, groundcovers, low evergreen foundation shrubs, shade trees (double-staked; min 2 in trunk caliper at planting), planter density to achieve ≥75% groundcover/shrub coverage at maturity, and water-conservation features (automatic rain shut-offs, drip, limited turf, mulched beds). Installation must be inspected prior to final occupancy; a maintenance bond and contract are required (§ 18.12.020(11)-(12)).
  • Trash enclosures: Must be fully screened with durable, opaque doors; masonry enclosure height must exceed container height; keep ≥25 ft from any residential structure and from residential zone property lines (§ 18.12.020(14)).
  • Fences/Walls/Hedges in these settings: As allowed by § 18.06.050(A) (§ 18.12.020(12)). Detailed standards not found.

What triggers apply across districts?

Scenario Requirement Districts Key Figures Code Reference
Commercial site abuts or faces residential/office Ornamental solid wall/fence or other screening as required; not in required front yard CN, CC, CS, CH 7 ft min height § 18.10.070(1)
Industrial site abuts residential/office/commercial Solid wall or screen fence; not in required front yard IL, IH 7 ft min height § 18.11.050(1)(1)
“Unsightly” unenclosed industrial use across from homes Screen with ornamental wall/fence IL, IH 7 ft min height § 18.11.050(1)(2)
Open storage in commercial Enclose within area screened by solid wall/fence C districts 7 ft min height § 18.10.070(1)(2)
Open storage in light industrial Screen with ornamental wall/fence or compact evergreen hedge with gates IL 7 ft min height § 18.11.050(1)(3)
Interior parking lot landscaping Landscape interior area with trees/plantings, distributed RM, PO, C, I ≥5% of interior § 18.13.070(2)
Corner-lot visibility in industrial Height/open area limits within corner triangle IL, IH Triangle points at 30 ft; max 4 ft height; top 1 ft ≥50% open § 18.11.050(1)(4)
Yard fence heights in industrial Max heights in required yards IL, IH 7 ft side/rear; 3 ft front; chain-link exception in front § 18.11.050(1)(5)
Landscape maintenance citywide Maintain/replace; automatic irrigation on sites under review Citywide Automatic systems required with site plan review § 18.15.070

Practical guidance

  • Treat the 7 ft edge wall as your default at C/I–residential interfaces. If you propose an alternative (e.g., landscaped berm, enhanced hedge), expect it to be vetted in design review and potentially adjusted by the decision-maker (§ 18.10.070(1); § 18.11.050(1)(1); § 18.18.040).
  • Don’t place required screens in a required front yard. On through lots, both streets are “fronts,” which reduces where screens can go (§ 18.10.070(1); § 18.13.070(1); § 18.15.060).
  • Design parking lots early around the 5% interior landscaping requirement. Distribute islands/trees so they are not all at the edges (§ 18.13.070(2)).
  • In IL, corner visibility and front-yard fence limits are strict; design with the 30 ft triangle and 3 ft front-yard cap in mind (§ 18.11.050(1)(4)-(5)).
  • For combined or master-planned projects, plan for drought-tolerant palettes, 2 in caliper shade trees, and coverage targets; budget for the maintenance bond and inspections (§ 18.12.020(11)-(12)).

Checklist

  • If the site is in a C or I district and adjoins or faces RCO/UR/RA/R/RM/PO, include a 7 ft screening wall/fence along the shared line, outside any required front yard (§ 18.10.070(1); § 18.11.050(1)(1)).
  • If proposing open storage: design a fully screened area with a 7 ft solid wall/fence (C) or 7 ft ornamental wall/fence or evergreen hedge with gates (IL) (§ 18.10.070(1)(2); § 18.11.050(1)(3)).
  • Provide at least 5% interior parking landscaping if parking is in RM, PO, C, or I; distribute landscaped areas across the lot (§ 18.13.070(2)).
  • For industrial corners: maintain the 30 ft visibility triangle; keep objects ≤4 ft within it and ensure the top 1 ft is ≥50% open (§ 18.11.050(1)(4)).
  • Observe industrial yard fence caps: max 7 ft in required side/rear; 3 ft in required front (chain-link exception allowed in front) (§ 18.11.050(1)(5)).
  • Prepare for design review conditions: buffers, fences, landscaping, refuse enclosure screening, and maintenance (§ 18.18.040).
  • Maintain all landscaped areas with live plants; replace as needed; provide automatic irrigation if the site is under site plan review (§ 18.15.070).
  • For combining/master-planned residential projects, submit the required landscape/irrigation plan with drought-tolerant species, 2 in caliper shade trees, 75% coverage at maturity, water-conservation features, plus a maintenance bond (§ 18.12.020(11)-(12)).

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue Why it matters What to verify
“Such other height or type” of screening in C districts City Council can require more or different screening than the 7 ft minimum Whether an alternative screen (e.g., taller wall, berm + fence) will be accepted (§ 18.10.070(1))
“Unsightly” determination for industrial uses Triggers mandatory 7 ft screening across streets from homes How staff will apply “unsightly” to your specific use (§ 18.11.050(1)(2))
Front-yard prohibition on screens Required screens cannot go in required front yards; through lots have two fronts Which yards on your parcel are “front”; if a waiver-of-access exists (§ 18.10.070(1); § 18.13.070(1); § 18.15.060)
RM/RA/UR/PO fence specifics missing District-specific fence heights/setbacks may exist elsewhere The content of § 18.06.050 and any PO standards not in the source materials (Not found in source materials)
Street trees “under Chapter 18.19” Chapter 18.19 addresses PUDs; street-tree triggers may be project-specific Whether your commercial project is subject to Ch. 18.19 street-tree requirements (§ 18.10.070(1)(3))
IH open storage standard IL has explicit hedge/gate spec; IH is silent Whether IH must follow the IL open-storage screen spec by interpretation (§ 18.11.050(1)(3): IL only)

Plain-English Summary

If your Lindsay project sits in a commercial or industrial zone and touches or faces homes or offices, plan on a solid 7 ft screen wall along that edge and keep it out of any required front yard. Parking lots in RM, PO, C, and I zones must landscape at least 5% of their interior with trees and planters. Industrial sites have extra fence rules at corners and in front yards, and all required landscaping must be kept healthy and irrigated automatically when the site is under design review.

Source References

  • § 18.13.070 Screening, Fencing and Landscaping (parking adjacency and 5% interior landscaping)
  • § 18.10.070 C Property Development Standards (commercial edge screens, open storage, yards)
  • § 18.11.050 I Property Development Standards (industrial screens, open storage, corner triangle, fence heights)
  • § 18.15.070 Maintenance of Landscaped Areas (maintenance and automatic irrigation)
  • § 18.15.060 Through Lots (front yards on both frontages)
  • § 18.08.050 RM Property Development Standards (fences per § 18.06.050 reference; parking/landscaping cross-ref)
  • § 18.08.060 Site Plan Review for Multi-family (design review trigger)
  • § 18.12.020 Combining Districts (landscape/irrigation plans; screening of trash enclosures; maintenance bond)
  • § 18.04.010; § 18.04.050 RCO Purpose and Standards (fences/walls/hedges; design review references)
  • § 18.18.040 Design Review Conditions (buffers, fences, landscaping)

Sources

Source passages

  • Lindsay Zoning Code (§ 18.13.070) Medium relevance
  • Lindsay Zoning Code (§ 18.10.070) Medium relevance
  • Lindsay Zoning Code (§ 18.04.050) Medium relevance
  • Lindsay Zoning Code (§ 18.11.050) Medium relevance
  • Lindsay Zoning Code (§ 18.04.010) Medium relevance
  • Lindsay Zoning Code (§ 18.15) Medium relevance
  • Lindsay Zoning Code (§ 18.08.050) Medium relevance
  • Lindsay Zoning Code (§ 18.12.020) Medium relevance
  • Lindsay Zoning Code (§ 18.18.040) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Frequently asked questions

When do I need a 7-foot screening wall for a commercial site in Lindsay?

When your commercial site adjoins or is across a street/alley from RCO, UR, R, RM, or PO, you must provide an ornamental solid wall/fence at least 7 feet high (or another screening type if required by the City Council). The screen cannot be placed in a required front yard (§ 18.10.070(1)).

How much interior landscaping is required in parking lots?

At least 5% of the interior of a parking area must be landscaped with trees and plant materials, distributed throughout the lot, when the parking is in RM, PO, C, or I districts (§ 18.13.070(2)).

Do industrial properties have special fence height limits?

Yes. In required side/rear yards, maximum fence/wall height is 7 feet; in required front yards, 3 feet is the cap, except chain-link taller than 3 feet is allowed in the required front yard. Corner visibility triangles also limit height (see next FAQ) (§ 18.11.050(1)(5)).

What are the corner-lot fence limits for industrial parcels?

Within the visibility triangle formed by points 30 feet along each intersecting street property line, no fence/wall/hedge may exceed 4 feet in height, and the top 1 foot must be at least 50% open (§ 18.11.050(1)(4)).

Who decides if an industrial activity must be screened across from homes?

If an unenclosed industrial use across a street/alley from UR, RA, R, RM, or CC is found “unsightly,” the Planning Department can require a 7-foot ornamental wall or screen fence (§ 18.11.050(1)(2)).

Can I put required screening in a front yard?

No. Required edge screening must not be located in a required front yard. On through lots, both streets count as front yards, further limiting where you can place the screen (§ 18.10.070(1); § 18.13.070(1); § 18.15.060).

Are open storage yards allowed and how must they be screened?

Open storage tied to a permitted/conditional use is allowed only if fully screened. In C districts, use a 7-foot solid wall/fence; in IL, use at least a 7-foot ornamental wall/fence or compact evergreen hedge with solid gates, with materials not visible above the screen (§ 18.10.070(1)(2); § 18.11.050(1)(3)).

Do I need an automatic irrigation system?

If your site is subject to design review, required landscaped areas must be watered by automatic systems. Certain combined/master-planned projects must also submit an irrigation plan with water-conservation features (§ 18.15.070; § 18.12.020(11)).

What landscaping is required in combined or master-planned residential projects?

Provide a landscape/irrigation plan with native/drought-tolerant species, groundcovers, low evergreen foundation shrubs, double-staked shade trees with 2-inch caliper, and planters planted to reach 75% coverage at maturity; include water-saving features, install before occupancy, and provide a maintenance bond (§ 18.12.020(11)-(12)).

General information, not legal advice.

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