Parking lot landscaping.
Riverside Municipal Code § 19.580.090
in effect19.580.090 - Parking lot landscaping.
Within parking lots, landscaping shall be used for shade and climate control, to enhance project design, and to screen the visual impact of vehicles and large expanses of pavement as set forth in the following paragraphs.
A. Shade. Trees shall be planted and maintained in all parking lots at a ratio of one tree for every four parking spaces (that may be clustered or grouped). The trees shall be placed throughout the parking lot in a manner that will ensure that all portions of the lot receive tree shade. Trees shall be of a variety that provide a broad canopy.
B. Screening.
1. Between parking lot and street right-of way: Landscaping shall be designed and maintained for partial screening of vehicles to a minimum height of three feet, measured from the finished grade of the parking lot. Screening materials may include any combination of plant materials, earthen berms, solid masonry walls, raised planters, or other screening device deemed by the Community & Economic Development Director or his/her designee to comply with the intent of this requirement. This provision shall not apply in those instances where a masonry wall is required and when such property is used for a single-family residence.
2. Between drive-through lane and street right-of way: An immediate three-foot-high landscape screen shall be established along the outer edge of drive-through aisles. Screening materials may include a combination of plant materials, wall, raised planters, and berm as approved by the Approving Authority.
C. Percent coverage. Except in any industrial, airport and railway base zone, parking lots having more than 20 spaces shall have a minimum of five percent of the parking lot area landscaped. Parking lot landscaping shall not count toward required landscape coverage otherwise required for the zoning district in which a project is located and is in addition to required landscaped setbacks.
D. Landscaped setbacks.
1. For 20 or fewer parking spaces: A minimum ten-foot-wide landscaped setback is required along all street frontages for parking, loading and outdoor vehicle sales areas.
2. For 21 or greater parking spaces: A minimum 15-foot-wide landscaped setback is required along all street frontages for parking, loading, and outdoor vehicle sales areas.
3. When a greater setback is required by the zone: The greater setback shall prevail along all street frontages for parking, loading, and outdoor vehicle sales areas.
4. When adjacent to a residentially zoned or residentially used lot: A minimum five-foot-wide landscaped setback is required along all property lines shared with a residentially zoned or residentially used lot for parking, loading and outdoor vehicle sales areas in conjunction with the required six-foot high masonry wall.
E. Irrigation. All landscaped areas shall be equipped with an underground automated irrigation system.
(Ord. 7573 § 1(Exh. A), 2021; Ord. 7331 §94, 2016; Ord. 7235 §12, 2013; Ord. 6966 §1, 2007)
Source: City of Riverside, California, Municipal Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/ca/riverside/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_TIT19ZO_ARTVIIISIPLGEDEPR_CH19.580PALO_19.580.090PALOLAFetched: 11/1/2026