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 85 ordinances across 26 categories that affect daily life in Concord.

HOA Rules

HOA Disputes: Davis-Stirling requires Concord-area HOAs to offer Internal Dispute Resolution (IDR) under Civil Code 5900-5920 and to participate in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) under Civil Code 5925-5965 before filing certain lawsuits. Owners can also file complaints with the California Department of Real Estate or pursue small claims.

Also covered: HOA vs. City Rules (moderate), HOA Fines & Enforcement (moderate). See the full hoa rules guide for Concord for details.

Rental Property Rules

Mold Disclosure: California's Toxic Mold Protection Act (Health & Safety Code §26100 et seq.) and Civil Code §1941.7 require landlords to disclose known visible mold exceeding permissible exposure limits before lease signing. Concord has no supplemental mold ordinance, but visible mold is treated as a substandard housing condition under Health & Safety Code §17920.3 and enforced by Concord Code Enforcement as a habitability violation..

Also covered: Lead Paint Disclosure (moderate), Rental Registration (moderate). See the full rental property rules guide for Concord for details.

Building Safety

Electrical Permits: Concord requires electrical permits under the California Electrical Code (CEC) for most electrical work beyond like-for-like replacement of switches, receptacles, and fixtures. New circuits, service upgrades, panel changes, EV charger installations, solar interconnections, and any work in wet or hazardous locations require a permit and inspection by the Concord Building Division.

Also covered: Smoke Alarms (strict), Carbon Monoxide Detectors (strict), Roofing Permits (moderate). See the full building safety guide for Concord for details.

Landscaping Rules

Water Restrictions: Concord water customers served by Contra Costa Water District must follow permanent statewide conservation rules: no runoff, no watering during or 48 hours after rain, no hosing hard surfaces. Outdoor watering is limited to assigned days and early morning or evening hours during drought declarations..

Also covered: Grass Height Limits (moderate), Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (moderate), Native Plants (permissive). See the full landscaping rules guide for Concord for details.

Accessory Structures

Garage Conversions: Garages in Concord must remain available for vehicle parking under zoning code, and cannot be converted to living space without ADU or habitable-conversion permits. Detached garages follow accessory structure setbacks.

Also covered: ADU Rules (permissive), Shed Rules (permissive). See the full accessory structures guide for Concord for details.

Short-Term Rentals

Noise Rules: Short-term rentals are entirely prohibited in Concord, so STR-specific noise rules do not exist. Any unpermitted rental under 30 days is itself a zoning violation.

Also covered: Taxes & Fees (moderate), Occupancy Limits (permissive), Registration Rules (moderate). See the full short-term rentals guide for Concord for details.

Cannabis Regulations

Dispensary Zoning: Medical cannabis is fully legal in California for qualified patients under Proposition 215 (Compassionate Use Act, 1996) and SB 420 (MMPA, 2003), now integrated into MAUCRSA. Concord allows licensed storefront cannabis retailers (which serve both medical and adult-use customers) and permits state-licensed medical cannabis delivery citywide.

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.

Also covered: Recycling Requirements (moderate), Bulk Item Disposal (permissive), Pickup Rules & Schedules (moderate). See the full trash & recycling guide for Concord for details.

Curfew Laws

Juvenile Curfew: Concord Municipal Code Chapter 9.15 imposes a juvenile curfew prohibiting persons under 18 from being in public places between 10:00 PM and 5:00 AM Sunday through Thursday, and midnight to 5:00 AM Friday and Saturday, with standard exceptions for emergencies, employment, and accompanied travel. Violations are infractions with escalating fines and parental responsibility..

Also covered: Park Curfew (moderate). See the full curfew laws guide for Concord for details.

Parking Rules

Commercial Vehicle Restrictions: Commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs GVWR are prohibited from overnight parking on residential streets in Concord and cannot be stored on residentially zoned properties. Parking is limited to industrial/commercial zones or brief loading stops..

Also covered: Street Parking Limits (moderate), RV & Boat Parking (strict). See the full parking rules guide for Concord for details.

Noise Ordinances

Quiet Hours: Concord enforces nighttime quiet hours between 10 PM and 7 AM on weekdays and Saturdays, and until 8 AM on Sundays and holidays. During these hours, amplified sound, loud gatherings, power equipment, and other disturbances are prohibited in residential areas.

Also covered: Amplified Music & Events (moderate), Vehicle Noise (moderate), Leaf Blower Rules (moderate). See the full noise ordinances guide for Concord for details.

Animal Ordinances

Livestock: Livestock including cattle, horses, goats, sheep, and swine are generally prohibited in Concord's residential zoning districts. Livestock are allowed only in limited agricultural or large-lot residential zones with minimum lot size and setback requirements.

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

Fence Regulations

Pool Barriers: Pool fences in Concord must comply with California Health & Safety Code §§115920–115929 (Swimming Pool Safety Act). Pools built or remodeled after January 1, 2007 require at least two drowning prevention safety features, including a 60-inch barrier with self-closing, self-latching gates.

Also covered: Height Limits (moderate), Material Restrictions (permissive), Neighbor Fence Rules (moderate). See the full fence regulations guide for Concord for details.

Fire Regulations

Outdoor Burning: Open burning is prohibited in Concord under Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (ConFire) regulations and BAAQMD Regulation 5. No residential yard-waste, leaf, or debris burning is permitted within the city limits at any time of year..

Also covered: Fireworks (strict), Brush Clearance (moderate), Smoke Detectors (strict). See the full fire regulations guide for Concord for details.

Home Business

Zoning Restrictions: Concord Development Code Section 18.200.100 allows home-based businesses as an accessory use in any residential zone only if the activity is conducted entirely inside the principal dwelling or a permitted enclosed accessory structure, occupies no more than 20 percent of the dwelling's habitable square footage, employs only residents plus at most one nonresident, and admits no on-site clients except up to six individual students. Automotive service, beauty salons, barber shops, and any cannabis business are categorically prohibited..

Also covered: Customer Traffic Restrictions (moderate), Home Daycare (permissive), Signage Rules (strict). See the full home business guide for Concord for details.

Building Setbacks & Zoning

Setback Rules: Concord corner lots have two front-facing setbacks: a standard 20-foot front setback on the primary street and a 10-foot street-side-yard setback on the secondary street. Vision-clearance triangles restrict fences and plantings at intersections..

Solar Energy

Panel Permits: Concord issues rooftop solar PV permits within 1-3 business days under AB 2188 and participates in the SolarAPP+ automated permitting platform. Standard residential systems under 38.4 kW receive over-the-counter approval with no discretionary review..

Also covered: HOA Restrictions (permissive). See the full solar energy guide for Concord for details.

Sign Regulations

Garage Sale Signs: Garage-sale signs in Concord must be placed only on private property with owner consent and removed within 24–48 hours of the sale's end. Posting on utility poles, street signs, medians, or in the public right-of-way is prohibited and subject to summary removal and fines.

Also covered: Political Signs (permissive). See the full sign regulations guide for Concord for details.

Environmental Rules

Stormwater Management: Concord prohibits all illicit discharges to the storm drain system under CMC Title 8 and MRP NPDES Permit R2-2022-0118. Violators face administrative fines starting at $100 and escalating to $1,000+ per day, plus full cleanup cost recovery..

Also covered: Flood Zones (moderate). See the full environmental rules 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.

Swimming Pools & Spas

Safety Rules: The federal Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act and California Health & Safety Code 116064+ require anti-entrapment drain covers meeting ASME/ANSI A112.19.8 on all public and residential pools and spas. Single main drains must also have a secondary anti-entrapment system such as a Safety Vacuum Release System (SVRS), dual drains, or gravity drainage.

Also covered: Above-Ground Pools (moderate), Fencing Requirements (strict). See the full swimming pools & spas guide for Concord for details.

Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors

Food Truck Permits: Concord food trucks must hold a Contra Costa Environmental Health Mobile Food Facility permit plus a Concord business license. SB 972 (2022) reformed sidewalk vendor and mobile food facility rules statewide, streamlining permits for independent operators..

Also covered: Vending Zones (moderate). See the full food trucks & mobile vendors 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.

Outdoor Lighting

Dark Sky Rules: Concord does not have a formal dark-sky ordinance but CMC Title 18 requires exterior lighting to be shielded, downcast, and not spill onto neighboring properties. New development must submit a photometric plan demonstrating zero foot-candle spillover at property lines..

Also covered: Light Trespass (moderate). See the full outdoor lighting guide for Concord for details.

Garage & Yard Sales

Frequency Limits: Concord generally limits residential garage sales to no more than three or four events per household per calendar year, each typically lasting up to two or three consecutive days. Exceeding these limits can reclassify the activity as an unpermitted retail business requiring a business license and CDTFA seller's permit.

Also covered: Garage Sale Permits (permissive). See the full garage & yard sales guide for Concord for details.

Soliciting & Door-to-Door

Solicitor Permits: Concord Municipal Code Chapter 5.50 regulates commercial door-to-door solicitation, requiring a city peddler/solicitor permit, identification card display, and compliance with posted "No Soliciting" signs. Hours are typically limited to 9 AM to sunset (or 8 PM in summer).

Also covered: No-Knock Registry (moderate). See the full soliciting & door-to-door guide for Concord for details.

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.