A Resident's Guide to Concord's Local Ordinances

Concord is a mid-sized city in Contra Costa County, California, with about 129000 residents. Like most cities its size, it has a set of local rules that may differ significantly from neighboring municipalities. Here is an overview of 35 ordinances across 20 categories that affect daily life in Concord.

Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules

Obstruction Rules: Concord prohibits placing boxes, lumber, merchandise, or anything else that obstructs the free use or passage of a public street, way, or sidewalk; goods in transit may occupy only the outer three feet of the sidewalk for up to six hours..

Special Events & Permits

Park Event Permits: Concord makes it unlawful to conduct, manage, or participate in any parade, a march, demonstration, or procession on a public street or sidewalk that doesn't comply with normal traffic control, without a written permit from the Chief of Police. Funerals, government, and supervised students are exempt..

Also covered: Block Party Permits (strict). See the full special events & permits guide for Concord for details.

Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors

Vending Zones: Concord food trucks must maintain setbacks from schools, may not park in the same residential location more than limited time periods, and generally cannot obstruct traffic or sidewalks. SB 972 limits overly restrictive local location rules for sidewalk vendors..

Also covered: Sidewalk & Mobile Vending (moderate), Food Truck Permits (moderate). See the full food trucks & mobile vendors guide for Concord for details.

Animal Ordinances

Exotic Pets: Exotic pets in Concord are governed by California Code of Regulations Title 14 §671, which lists restricted species prohibited as pets without a state permit. Restricted species include many non-native birds, reptiles, and mammals.

Also covered: Breed Restrictions (moderate), Beekeeping (moderate). See the full animal ordinances guide for Concord for details.

Short-Term Rentals

Short-Term Rental Parking Rules: Concord requires short-term rentals to provide adequate on-site parking meeting the underlying residential zone's standards - typically two off-street spaces for a single-family dwelling. Hosts should list the exact number of usable on-site spaces and discourage or prohibit overflow on-street parking, especially overnight, to avoid neighbor complaints and permit violations.

Also covered: Occupancy Limits (moderate), Short-Term Rental Permits (moderate). See the full short-term rentals guide for Concord for details.

Home Business

Signage Rules: Concord Development Code Section 18.200.100, paragraph 8 (Appearance), bars any exterior indication that a home-based business is operating on the property, including commercial advertising signs and window displays. The residential appearance of the home must be maintained, and there is no variance pathway under the Development Code that would allow on-site identification of a home occupation..

Also covered: Zoning & Home Occupation Permits (moderate). See the full home business guide for Concord for details.

HOA Rules

HOA Fines & Enforcement: HOAs in Concord may impose monetary penalties on members under Civil Code 5850 only after adopting a written schedule of fines, providing 10 days' written notice of the alleged violation and a right to a hearing before the board. Fines must be reasonable, procedurally proper, and cannot be used to collect regular assessments.

Fence Regulations

Neighbor Fence Rules: Hedges in Concord that function as fences are subject to the same height limits as fences: generally 3.5 feet in front yards and 6 feet in side and rear yards. Overgrown hedges obstructing sight triangles or sidewalks can be abated as a public nuisance.

Noise Ordinances

Vehicle Noise: Vehicle noise in Concord is governed primarily by California Vehicle Code sections that limit exhaust noise, prohibit modified mufflers, and cap amplified sound audible at 50 feet. Concord Police enforce these alongside local ordinance provisions prohibiting revving, racing, and extended idling in residential areas..

Also covered: Leaf Blower Rules (moderate). See the full noise ordinances guide for Concord for details.

Drone Rules

Recreational Drones: Drone-related privacy protections in California arise from Civil Code §1708.8 (physical and constructive invasion of privacy by drone), Penal Code §632 (audio eavesdropping), and Penal Code §647(j) (video voyeurism). Concord does not have a drone-specific privacy ordinance but enforces these state laws.

Landscaping Rules

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees: Concord requires a permit to remove a protected tree, native oaks 12 inches or larger and most other trees 24 inches or larger in diameter, while non-protected trees may be removed without one. Hazardous trees may be removed in emergencies by order of city officials..

Also covered: Weed Ordinances (moderate), Native Plants (moderate), Water Restrictions (moderate). See the full landscaping rules guide for Concord for details.

Rental Property Rules

Rental Registration: Concord does not maintain a mandatory citywide rental registration program but landlords must hold a Concord business license for each rental property. State-level AB 1482 (Tenant Protection Act) rent caps and just-cause eviction rules apply to most rentals built before 2010..

Soliciting & Door-to-Door

No-Knock Registry: Concord does not maintain a formal municipal no-knock registry, but posted "No Soliciting" or "No Trespassing" signs have legal effect under Concord Municipal Code Chapter 5.50 and California Penal Code §602. Residents can also register on the California Do Not Call Registry (DNC) and federal Do Not Call Registry to reduce phone solicitation..

Also covered: Solicitor Permits (limited). See the full soliciting & door-to-door guide for Concord for details.

Swimming Pools & Spas

Pool Permits: Concord Development Code 18.150.160 treats above-ground pools the same as in-ground pools: a 5-foot setback from side and rear property lines (water's edge), no front-yard placement, walled or fenced enclosure per the Uniform Swimming Pool Code, and pool equipment under 6 feet tall. California's Pool Safety Act (Health & Safety Code 115921 et seq., as amended by SB 442) requires at least two of seven approved drowning-prevention features for new or remodeled residential pools..

Also covered: Fencing & Safety Requirements (moderate). See the full swimming pools & spas guide for Concord for details.

Parking Rules

Street Parking Limits: Concord enforces the California Vehicle Code 72-hour rule (CVC 22651(k)) citywide, prohibits parking on unpaved surfaces in front yards, and operates permit parking districts around BART and Todos Santos Plaza. Street sweeping posted days trigger citations..

Solar Energy

HOA Restrictions: California Civil Code 714 (Solar Rights Act) protects Concord homeowners from HOA bans on solar panels. HOA restrictions that increase system cost by more than $1,000 or reduce efficiency by more than 10% are void and unenforceable..

Trash & Recycling

Illegal Dumping: Illegal dumping of waste on public or private property in Concord is prohibited under Concord Municipal Code Title 6 and California Penal Code §374.3, which authorizes fines of $250 to $10,000 plus cleanup costs for repeat offenders. Concord Code Enforcement, Concord Police, and Contra Costa Environmental Health share jurisdiction.

Sign Regulations

Political Signs: Political signs in Concord are regulated content-neutrally alongside all other temporary signs per Reed v. Gilbert.

Fire Regulations

Smoke Detectors: Working smoke alarms are required in every bedroom, outside sleeping areas, and on each floor of all Concord dwellings under California Health and Safety Code §13113.7 and CRC R314. Carbon monoxide alarms are also required under SB 183 where fuel-burning appliances or attached garages exist..

Also covered: Brush Clearance (moderate). See the full fire regulations guide for Concord for details.

Property Maintenance

Property Blight: Concord Municipal Code Chapter 8.10 declares inoperable, wrecked, dismantled, or abandoned vehicles on public or private property a public nuisance subject to abatement under California Vehicle Code §22660. Notice and a 10-day opportunity to request a hearing are required before removal.

What to Do With This Information

Whether you are renting, buying, or renovating in Concord, knowing the local rules upfront saves headaches later. Dig into the individual ordinance pages linked above for the complete picture, including fines and exemptions.