Environmental Rules in Monterey County, CA (2026)
5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Monterey County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Chapter 16.14 of the Monterey County Code bans non-stormwater discharges into the county storm drain system across the unincorporated urbanized areas, exempting agriculture, and requires best management practices for construction, commercial and industrial sites. The County Administrative Officer administers and enforces the chapter, including inspections, reporting and administrative fines for violations.
Monterey County Stormwater Discharge Rules
Some RestrictionsMonterey County Code § 16.14.100
A.It shall be unlawful for any person to:1.Make or cause to be made, directly or indirectly, any non-stormwater discharge into the County storm drain system; or2.Discharge or cause to be discharged, directly or indirectly, any material into stormwater that flows into the County storm drain system and which would result in a violation of the State stormwater general permit.B.Notwithstanding subs...
Erosion Control
Monterey County Code Section 16.08.340 requires anyone grading land in the unincorporated county to prepare and maintain disturbed surfaces to control erosion, using fast-germinating plantings such as rye grass or barley installed before final inspection. The Building Official can require watering to establish growth or order check dams, cribbing or riprap where planting alone will not hold the slope, and must also control dust from the grading operation.
Monterey County Grading Erosion Control Rule
Some RestrictionsMonterey County Code § 16.08.340
All disturbed surfaces resulting from grading operations shall be prepared and maintained to control erosion. This control may consist of effective planting, such as rye grass, barley or some other fast germinating seed. The protection for the slopes shall be installed as soon as practicable and prior to calling for final inspection. The Building Official may require watering of planted areas ...
Coastal Development
Any development in the Monterey County Coastal Zone requires a Coastal Development Permit (CDP) under MCC Title 20 Chapter 20.70 and the California Coastal Act (Cal. Public Resources Code section 30600). The Coastal Zone covers Big Sur, Carmel Highlands, Carmel Valley coastal portions, Pebble Beach (Del Monte Forest), the Monterey Peninsula coast, Marina, Moss Landing, and Pajaro Dunes. The Big Sur Land Use Plan is among the most restrictive in California.
Monterey County Coastal Development Permits
Some RestrictionsState Code
Information on Digital Coastal Zone Boundaries: The original 1977 Coastal Zone Boundary maps were mylar (drafting film) copies of 161 USGS 7.5 minute topographic quadrangles with an inked boundary added.
Flood Zones
Development in Monterey County's Special Flood Hazard Areas, the 100-year floodplain shown on FEMA's Flood Insurance Rate Maps plus land within 200 feet of a river or 50 feet of a watercourse, must be reviewed under Monterey County Code § 16.16.030(A). New construction and substantial improvements must elevate the lowest floor at least one foot above the base flood elevation, verified by the Floodplain Administrator.
Monterey County Floodplain Development Permits
Some RestrictionsMonterey County Code § 16.16.030(A), § 16.16.050(C)(1)
A.Lands to Which this Chapter Applies. This Chapter shall apply to all Special Flood Hazard Areas (100-year floodplain) within the jurisdiction of Monterey County, as identified on Flood Insurance Rate Maps, and areas within two hundred (200) feet of a river or within fifty (50) feet of a watercourse. ... C.1.New construction and substantial improvement of any structure shall have the lowest fl...
Flood Elevation Requirements
Monterey County Code Section 16.16.050(C) requires new construction and substantial improvements in Special Flood Hazard Areas to elevate the lowest floor, including any basement, at least one foot above the base flood elevation shown on the FIRM. The Housing and Community Development Department's Floodplain Administrator verifies compliance through elevation certification by a licensed surveyor or engineer.
Monterey County Base Flood Elevation Freeboard Rule
Some RestrictionsMonterey County Code § 16.16.050(C)(1)
C.Elevation and Floodproofing.1.New construction and substantial improvement of any structure shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to at least one (1) foot above the base flood elevation. Non-residential structures may meet the standards in Section 16.16.050.C.3. Upon completion of the structure the elevation of the lowest floor, including basement, shall be certified by a ...
Environmental Rules by City in Monterey County
1 cities in Monterey County have their own environmental rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Monterey County ordinances
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