Landscape & Fencing
Ordinance Update
ZTA2026 -0001
Danny Castro
Planning & Development Director
August 19, 2026
Approve a zone text amendment to update water-efficient landscape and fencing regulations in Chapter 17.70 of the CMC (ZTA2026-0001).
The Ask
CMC Chapter 17.70
Landscaping, Fences,
Walls, Hedges
• Contains city-wide zoning regulations for
landscaping, fences, walls, and hedges.
• Includes water-efficient landscape
regulations consistent with state’s
MWELO.
• Last significant landscape update was in
2010
What is MWELO?
• Serves as statewide landscape model for local
agencies to implement and enforce minimum
water-efficiency standards in landscape
design, construction, management, and
maintenance.
• Drives water-efficiency through water
budgets and thoughtful soil management,
and selection of plants, irrigation, and
alternative water sources.
• Applies to landscape projects meeting certain
size thresholds.
• Updated in 2015 and 2025
Model Water Efficiency Landscape Ordinance
What’s Being Updated ?
❖ Update state-mandatory water-efficient
landscape regulations for consistency with
state law.
❖ Update residential fencing standards.
What’s Not Changing
Landscape Regulations Fences & Walls Regulations
• Drought tolerant landscaping and water-efficient
irrigation requirements.
• Landscape permitting process.
• Landscape regulations in the public ROW.
• Turf continues to be prohibited in commercial
and industrial developments.
• Turf continues to be limited in residential front
yards.
• Turf continues to be allowed for recreational or
functional purposes.
• Wood picket fencing still permitted in residential
front yards.
• Security fencing.
• Recreational and sports court enclosures.
• Temporary fencing for construction and vacant
sites.
• Swimming pool enclosures.
• Fence and wall height in side and rear yard.
• Commercial and industrial fencing.
Lower Landscape Permitting Thresholds
Project Type CURRENT Thresholds
(total landscape area)
Developer-installed
New & Rehab Landscapes
2,500 sq. ft.
Homeowner-installed
New & Rehab Landscapes
5,000 sq. ft.
Project Type NEW Thresholds
(total landscape area)
New Landscapes 500 sq. ft.
Rehab Landscapes 2,500 sq. ft.
Compliance Process Options
Performance Compliance Process (existing)
• Required for new and rehab landscape projects over 2,500 sq. ft. • May also be used for new landscape projects 2,500 sq. ft. or less. • Comprehensive landscape package:
✓ Landscape Plan
✓ Grading Plan
✓ Irrigation Plan
✓ Soil Management Report
✓ Water usage calculations
Prescriptive Compliance Process (new option)
• For new landscape projects from 500 to 2,500 sq. ft.
• Simplified landscape plan
• No additional plans, water usage calculations or technical analysis required
Non -Residential Turf
Turf prohibited in all non-residential development, including institutional development (cemeteries excluded), except where in used for recreational or functional purpose. 16 Residential
Front Yard Fencing
1. Increase height of opaque fences and walls
from 3 to 4 feet for privacy.
2. Decorative fixtures on top of pilaster
permitted up to 6 feet, including pilaster.
3. Permit wood picket fences.
4. Permit more types of fencing materials.
16 Permitted Fencing Materials
*Steel & Aluminum
Panels
Wrought Iron
*Tubular Steel
Vinyl
*PVC
Decorative Masonry
*Concrete
*Cement Block
*Brick
*Stone
*Fiber Cement
Similar Durable
Materials
* Indicates new permitted materials. All masonry shall have a decorative or textured finish. New materials may mimic traditional materials such as wood, brick, or stone.
For Front, Side, and Rear Yards
Non -Combustible
Fencing
New non-combustible materials (e.g., steel,
aluminum, concrete, and fiber cement) allows
properties in the Very High Fire Severity Zone to
comply with upcoming State restrictions for
“Zone Zero” area.
Residential
Outdoor Recreation &
Sports Court Enclosures
Existing regulations governing residential
tennis court enclosure are expanded to apply
to other private outdoor recreation and sports
courts (e.g., pickleball court, basketball court,
batting cage, trampolines, etc.)
16 Key Takeaways
Landscape & Fencing Ordinance Update
1. Smaller landscape projects will be required to obtain a landscape permit, but will have the option to use an easier and less costly process.
2. Turf will be prohibited on all non-residential developments, except where it serves a recreational or functional purpose.
3. Residential properties will have increased front yard privacy and more fencing material options to choose from.
4. New regulations will not be applied retroactively.
Approve a zone text amendment to update water-efficient landscape and fencing regulations in Chapter 17.70 of the CMC (ZTA2026-0001).
The Ask
Questions?