San Benito County, CA Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)
Key Facts
- Tree rate
- 1 tree per 20 feet
- Placement
- 4-10 ft from sidewalk
- Applies to
- Multi-family projects only
- Coverage
- Unincorporated county only
Summary
New multi-family developments in unincorporated San Benito County must plant one tree for every 20 feet of landscaped parkway strip between the right-of-way and the building, set 4 to 10 feet back from the sidewalk.
Within the landscaped area between the right-of-way and buildings, trees shall be planted at a rate of one for each 20 feet of landscaped area. Trees shall be located between four and ten feet from the back of the sidewalk. The landscaped area shall also include shrubs, ground covers, and other natural growth, or stormwater quality features and drainage treatments.
(3) All planting areas, plant materials, and irrigation shall conform with the County’s water-efficient landscaping regulations.
(4) Parking lot landscaping.
(a) Parking areas, covered and uncovered, must be screened from view from public roadways with landscaping. Landscaped screening is defined as a natural or man-made feature which separates land uses. Landscape screening may be accomplished through the following: landscaping (groundcover, plantings, and trees), a planted earth berm (no greater than two feet in height), hedge, wall, or some combination of the above.
(b) A perimeter landscaped strip at least ten feet wide shall be provided for any parking area adjacent to a public street or to the side or rear property line. The perimeter landscaped strip may be located within a required setback area.
(c) Trees shall be planted and maintained in all parking lots at a minimum ratio of one tree for every six parking spaces. Trees shall be evenly distributed throughout the entire parking area.
(d) Decorative or enhanced paving shall be used to indicate
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2025 S-28: current through Ordinance 1078).
Full Breakdown
San Benito County Code § 25.08.005(F)(2), part of the county's multi-family objective design standards, sets tree-planting requirements for the landscaped strip between the public right-of-way and a multi-family building: the area the code's own definitions describe as a parkway. Developers must plant one tree for every 20 feet of that landscaped area, positioned between four and ten feet back from the sidewalk, plus shrubs, ground covers, or stormwater features. The standard applies to qualifying multi-family projects in the unincorporated county using the objective design-review process; it does not reach single-family lots or property inside Hollister or San Juan Bautista.
Violations & Fines
Multi-family site plans that skip the required parkway tree spacing do not qualify for approval under the county's objective design standards and can be sent back for revision before permits issue.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many street trees does a new apartment project need in unincorporated San Benito County?
Does this parkway tree rule apply to a single-family home?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Benito County
California rules heatmap·Compare San Benito County to another location·View the California tree protection overview
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