Pop. 66,850 · Yolo County
Davis Municipal Code Section 24.02.010 makes sustained dog barking a prima facie violation: over three of five minutes at night (9 p.m.-7 a.m.), five of ten minutes by day, or fifteen minutes sustained, when audible on neighboring property.
Permitted construction in Davis is allowed 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday-Friday and 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, with equipment noise capped at 83 dBA at 25 feet under Municipal Code Section 24.02.040(b).
Davis Municipal Code Article 24.04 requires a registration statement to use loudspeakers or sound-amplifying equipment outdoors, or at events over 100 people. Amplified sound is limited to four hours in any 24-hour period.
Davis is a designated quiet city. In residential zones the maximum noise level drops to 50 dBA between 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., measured at the complainant's property plane under Municipal Code Chapter 24.
Davis regulates but does not ban leaf blowers. Municipal Code Section 24.02.040 caps a powered blower at 70 dBA at 50 feet, bars two blowers within 100 feet, and exempts single-family use under ten minutes.
Outdoor concerts, dances and parties in Davis over 100 people, or using amplification on public property, require a registration statement. Music must end by midnight in residential zones and neighbors must be notified 14 days ahead.
Davis Municipal Code Section 24.03.010 makes it unlawful to repair, rebuild or test a motor vehicle in a residential zone in a way that exceeds the residential Table 1 limits (50-55 dBA) at the property plane.
Davis has no municipal aircraft-noise ordinance; aircraft operations are preempted by federal FAA regulation. UC Davis's University Airport runs a voluntary noise-abatement program with no touch-and-go landings from 9 p.m. to 8 a.m.
Davis Municipal Code Section 24.02.020 sets Table 1 decibel limits: residential 55 dBA day and 50 dBA night, commercial 60/55 dBA, and 65 dBA anytime along high-noise corridors, with an absolute cap of 80 dBA.
Davis Municipal Code Table 1 limits commercial, industrial and core-commercial properties to 60 dBA from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and 55 dBA overnight, but noise is judged at the affected neighbor's property, so nearby homes get residential protection.
Yolo County Code sections 10-8.416 (Industrial) and 10-4.421 (Commercial) impose a strict decibel-based regime on any noise source: 80 dBA Leq at the property line from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., 65 dBA Leq from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., and a 60 dBA Leq cap at any nearby off-site residence at any time, plus a 60 dB CNEL standard at all residences.
Open burning of yard waste, weeds, and debris is prohibited in Davis. The Yolo-Solano AQMD allows rural yard burning only outside incorporated cities, so residential open burning is not permitted within Davis. Cleared vegetation must be hauled, chipped, or composted instead.
All fireworks are illegal in Davis, including 'safe and sane' items and sparklers. Davis Municipal Code Article 13.02 bans manufacture, sale, possession for sale, and discharge citywide. Only professional displays authorized by the City Council are permitted.
Small backyard recreational fires in Davis follow the 2022 California Fire Code adopted in Article 13.01. A clean wood or cooking fire is allowed if kept 25 feet from structures, attended by an adult, and burning only firewood or approved fuel. Burning yard waste, leaves, or trash is prohibited.
Davis requires owners to keep property clear of dry weeds, brush, and rubbish under Municipal Code Chapter 23 nuisance abatement, which incorporates state weed and rubbish law. Overgrown lots are a public nuisance the city can abate and bill. Davis is flat with no wildland defensible-space mandate.
Davis is a flat Central Valley city and is not in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. The city states Davis is not considered to have wildland fire danger, so no defensible-space or Wildland-Urban Interface building mandate applies. CAL FIRE maps any high-hazard zones to Yolo County's western foothills.
Davis has no separate backyard fire-pit ordinance; residential fire pits follow the 2022 California Fire Code adopted in Article 13.01. On public property, Article 13.03 governs recreational fires with a permit and a 15-foot clearance. Only clean cooking fuels may be burned.
Davis follows California's statewide smoke and carbon monoxide alarm laws through the codes adopted in Chapter 13. Homes need working smoke alarms in each bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level, plus CO alarms where there are gas appliances or an attached garage.
Propane (LP-gas) storage in Davis is regulated by the 2022 California Fire Code adopted in Chapter 13. Small barbecue and patio cylinders are allowed at homes with clearance limits, while larger tanks require a Davis Fire Department permit under California Fire Code Chapter 61 and NFPA 58.
Under California Public Resources Code Section 4291, anyone who owns, leases, controls, or maintains a building or structure in, upon, or adjoining a mountainous area, forest-, shrub-, or grass-covered land in the State Responsibility Area (which covers most of western and rural Yolo County) must maintain 100 feet of defensible space around every structure - a 0-5 ft ember-resistant Zone 0, a 5-30 ft 'lean, clean, and green' Zone 1, and a 30-100 ft reduced-fuel Zone 2. California Government Code Section 51182 imposes the same 100-foot defensible-space duty on structures within any Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone mapped by Cal Fire.
Street parking in Davis is free on most public streets but limited to 120 hours in one spot. Downtown adds 90-minute and 2-hour timed zones enforced Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., plus a re-parking rule.
Davis bars parking in a parkway (the planted strip) under DMC 22.08.310. Private lot owners may restrict parking under DMC 22.08.140 by posting compliant signs, allowing towing at the owner's expense under California Vehicle Code 22658.
Davis has no RV-specific street ordinance. Recreational vehicles, boats and trailers fall under the general 120-hour street-storage limit (DMC 22.08.050) and must be moved every five days; the city recommends RVs park on the downtown periphery.
Under DMC Article 22.09, yellow curbs marked 'LOADING ONLY' are commercial loading zones and white curbs marked 'PASSENGER LOADING ONLY' are passenger zones. Only active loading or unloading is allowed, for the time limits set in DMC 22.09.020.
Under DMC 22.08.110, commercial trucks not on an approved truck route may park only where signs or markings permit. Commercial vehicles cannot park more than 18 inches from the curb between noon and 1:30 p.m., Monday-Saturday, on listed downtown streets.
Davis has no unique EV-space parking ordinance; California Vehicle Code 22511 governs. Only vehicles connected and charging may occupy a designated EV charging space, and violators face a state fine plus any posted local time limits.
Davis declares abandoned, wrecked, dismantled or inoperative vehicles a public nuisance under Chapter 23. The city can abate and remove them from public or private property after notice, with removal costs assessed to the responsible party.
Davis allows overnight street parking generally, but many downtown streets ban parking 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. for street sweeping, and preferential parking districts require a permit overnight. The 120-hour storage limit still applies citywide.
Davis has no dedicated oversized-vehicle ordinance. Large vehicles fall under the 120-hour street-storage limit (DMC 22.08.050) and the California Vehicle Code; the city recommends wide vehicles and rigs park on the downtown periphery.
DMC 22.08.230 sets curb colors: red means no stopping at any time, yellow is commercial loading (7 a.m.-6 p.m.), white is passenger loading (3 minutes), and green allows 20-minute parking. Only the city may authorize curb markings.
Yolo County Code Title 4, Chapter 4 regulates parking at County-owned parking facilities (e.g., the County building lots in Davis and Woodland), restricting use to County employees with decals, jurors with court-issued cards, and members of the public holding department-signed validation cards.
Yolo County Code section 8-2.1307 sets minimum dimensions for required off-street parking spaces - 9 ft x 18 ft standard, 10 ft x 20 ft enclosed (garage), 10 ft x 25 ft x 14 ft loading - applicable to all new and modified land uses in unincorporated areas.
Davis reviews fences for zoning compliance under Municipal Code 40.27.060, and the city Building Division issues building permits for construction; taller walls and fences on retaining walls can trigger permit and design-review requirements.
Davis Municipal Code 40.27.060 regulates fence height and placement rather than prescribing specific materials; height is measured to the highest point of the fence, wall, or hedge on the high side.
Davis Municipal Code section 40.27.060 caps fences, walls, and hedges at seven feet behind the required front yard setback, four feet in any required yard, and six feet at the reduced front and street-side setbacks.
Davis Municipal Code 40.27.060 sets fence height and placement rules including a corner-lot sight-visibility triangle where fences over three feet are prohibited near street intersections.
Davis Municipal Code 40.27.060 sets where and how tall boundary fences may be, but it does not assign shared-fence cost or maintenance; those disputes fall under California's Good Neighbor Fence Act (Civil Code 841).
Davis Municipal Code 40.27.060 measures a fence on top of a retaining wall from the lowest existing grade within a three-foot radius to the highest point of the fence on the high side of the wall.
Davis Municipal Code Chapter 40 regulates fence height and placement under section 40.27.060 but does not, in the zoning provisions reviewed, expressly prohibit barbed wire, razor wire, or electrified fencing in residential zones.
California's Swimming Pool Safety Act in Health and Safety Code Section 115920 mandates statewide drowning prevention barriers around residential pools, with cities prohibited from adopting weaker standards.
Davis has no breed-specific ban. California Food and Agricultural Code Section 31683 preempts breed-based dog laws, so Davis regulates dangerous behavior, not breed. Any breed may be kept if the owner follows leash, license, and vicious-animal rules.
The Davis Municipal Code has no dedicated beekeeping ordinance. Backyard hives are governed by California's Apiary Protection Act, which requires registering each apiary with the Yolo County Agricultural Commissioner through the BeeWhere system.
Davis sets no numeric cap on household dogs or cats in its municipal code. Small backyard animals are capped at six hens, pigeons, or rabbits under Section 5.01.020, and keeping many animals may trigger Yolo County kennel rules and nuisance limits.
Davis Municipal Code Section 5.04.040 prohibits dogs from running at large in the city. A dog off its owner's premises must be under restraint by a leash controlled by the owner or custodian, with limited exceptions.
Davis Municipal Code 5.01.010 prohibits keeping wild and non-domestic animals except by special permit. California law also bans most wild and exotic species as pets, so residents cannot keep restricted wildlife without state authorization.
The City of Davis strongly discourages feeding wildlife such as coyotes and wild turkeys and manages them through wildlife plans. A 2018 ordinance to ban feeding of certain wildlife was proposed; residents should follow city do-not-feed guidance and nuisance rules.
Davis Municipal Code Section 5.01.020 lets residents keep up to six chicken hens (or six pigeons or six rabbits, combined not to exceed six). No structure may sit within forty feet of a neighboring residence. Larger livestock is generally prohibited.
Davis Municipal Code 5.01.010 prohibits keeping livestock and domestic fowl within the city as a general rule. Only small backyard hens, pigeons, or rabbits under Section 5.01.020, or animals under a special permit, are allowed.
Davis has no leash law for cats and does not require cat licensing; Yolo County keeps cat licensing voluntary. Cats are regulated mainly through nuisance rules and the adopted Yolo County animal-control code.
Davis addresses animal hoarding through the adopted Yolo County animal-control code and California animal-cruelty law. Keeping too many animals in unsanitary or neglectful conditions is enforceable as cruelty and as a public nuisance.
In unincorporated Yolo County, dogs may not be off their owner's private property unless restrained on a leash no longer than eight feet, and no owner may permit any animal (wild or domestic) except a domestic cat to run at large.
Yolo County Code § 6-1.313 defines a 'vicious animal' as any dog or other animal (except a peace officer service dog) that has attacked a person or other animal without provocation off the private property where it is kept; such a designation triggers confinement, restraint, and muzzle requirements administered by Animal Services.
Davis, a City of Trees, requires a permit to remove City street trees and protected private trees under Municipal Code Chapter 37, and removing a healthy protected tree requires mitigation by replacement planting or an in-lieu payment to the Tree Preservation Fund.
In this Tree City USA community, substantial pruning of City street trees, Landmark Trees, Trees of Significance, and Private/Protected trees requires a Tree Modification Permit from the Urban Forestry Division under Municipal Code Chapter 37.
Davis treats overgrown weeds, dry vegetation, and rubbish as a public nuisance under Municipal Code Chapter 23, requiring property owners to abate them; the city can order abatement, do the work, and lien the cost against the property.
Davis has no ordinance banning residential artificial turf, but under SB 676 (Government Code 53087.7) synthetic grass is not protected drought-tolerant landscaping, so the city may regulate or restrict it, and MWELO turf limits still apply to permitted projects.
Davis does not set a numeric lawn-height limit, but overgrown grass, weeds, and rank vegetation that create a fire, health, or blight hazard are a public nuisance under Municipal Code Chapter 23 and must be abated by the property owner.
Davis Municipal Code section 39.02.045 bans landscape watering with sprinklers between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., prohibits irrigation within 48 hours of measurable rain, and forbids water that runs off the landscape onto pavement or neighboring property.
Davis provides curbside organics (yard trimmings and food scraps) collection required under California SB 1383 and AB 1826, and supports backyard composting through subsidized bins and free classes.
Davis encourages residents to capture rain in barrels and cisterns and to redirect downspouts into the landscape; under California law, rain captured from a rooftop for on-site use does not require a state water right.
Davis encourages California native and low-water landscaping and cannot prohibit drought-tolerant living-plant landscaping under state law; new and remodeled larger landscapes must meet the Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance.
Yolo County Code Title 8, Chapter 3 (Water Efficient Landscaping Ordinance) requires all applications with plans for lawn or landscaped areas to comply with the County's WELO, which mirrors or exceeds the state Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO, 23 CCR Sec. 490 et seq.). Sec. 8-2.1006 (Landscaping) cross-references Chapter 3 as the controlling standard for development-tied landscape plans.
Davis permits home occupations in residential districts as a use secondary to the dwelling under Davis Municipal Code Section 40.26.150. No more than 25 percent of the area of one floor may be used, and the business must not change the residential character of the home or neighborhood.
Home occupations in Davis must not generate traffic, parking demand or deliveries beyond what is normal for a residence; significant customer visits can disqualify the use.
Family daycare homes in Davis are a residential use by right. Davis Municipal Code Section 40.26.270 requires no conditional use permit beyond a single-family residence and sets 75 square feet of outdoor space per child; state law (SB 234) further bars local zoning permits, business licenses, or business taxes.
Davis requires a Home Occupation Permit plus a business license to operate a business from a residence. Standards limit outside help and floor area, and applicants with very low gross receipts may seek a conditional exemption from the business-license tax under Davis Municipal Code Article 19.
Davis prohibits advertising signs for home occupations. Under Davis Municipal Code Section 40.26.150, only one nameplate showing name and occupation, not exceeding one-half square foot in area, is permitted, and it must not change the residential character of the home.
Cottage food operations in Davis are authorized by the California Homemade Food Act (Cal. Health and Safety Code Section 113758). Operators register or permit with Yolo County Environmental Health and must also meet the city's home-occupation and business-license requirements; the city cannot ban cottage food outright.
Operating a home-based business in unincorporated Yolo County requires a Yolo County business license under Title 12 of the County Code, administered by the Planning Division, plus compliance with the Title 8 Zoning Code home-occupation performance standards (Sec. 8-2.506 in residential zones, Sec. 8-2.306(ab) in agricultural zones).
The Davis checklist expressly covers above-ground pools, requiring three plan or manufacturer-specification sets and the same 5-foot setback and drowning-prevention rules as in-ground pools. Barrier and safety-feature requirements apply once the pool holds water more than 18 inches deep.
A Davis pool or spa must be isolated by an enclosure meeting California Health and Safety Code Section 115923: at least 60 inches high, no more than a 2-inch gap at grade, no opening passing a 4-inch sphere, and gates that self-close, self-latch, and open away from the pool.
Beyond the isolation enclosure, Davis pools and spas must include at least two of seven drowning-prevention safety features listed in the city checklist and California Health and Safety Code Section 115922, and all required devices must be in place before the pool is filled.
Davis requires a building permit for in-ground pools, spas, and above-ground pools. Plans, setbacks, and a signed/sealed steel schedule for gunite work are submitted to Community Development and Sustainability. In-ground pools also need a Public Works encroachment permit.
Davis regulates spas alongside pools: manufactured spas must be listed, spa submittals must include electrical and gas requirements, and outdoor pools or spas equipped with a gas or electric heater must have a pool/spa cover. Spas also meet the same 5-foot setback and drowning-prevention rules.
Davis regulates accessory structures, including storage sheds, through its zoning code (Chapter 40) and published Accessory Structure Development Standards. A small storage shed no larger than 120 square feet may sit within the required rear and interior side yard setbacks.
Davis regulates accessory dwelling units under Davis Municipal Code Section 40.26.450, implementing California state ADU law (Government Code Sections 66310 through 66342). A detached ADU of 800 square feet or less, no more than 16 feet tall, with 4-foot side and rear setbacks is deemed consistent with all city standards.
Converting a garage into living space or an accessory dwelling unit in Davis is governed by the ADU provisions in Davis Municipal Code Section 40.26.450 and state ADU law. When a garage or carport is converted to an ADU, the city may not require replacement of the displaced off-street parking.
Carports and covered parking structures in Davis are regulated as accessory structures under the zoning code (Chapter 40) and must meet the same setback and height standards. Under state ADU law, a carport converted to or demolished for an accessory dwelling unit does not require replacement parking.
Davis does not have a standalone tiny-home ordinance; a tiny home on a permanent foundation is regulated as an accessory dwelling unit under Davis Municipal Code Section 40.26.450, while a tiny home on wheels is treated as a recreational vehicle and generally may not be used as a permanent dwelling.
Pool houses (cabanas) are allowed in all residential zones on lots of at least 5,000 sq ft, capped at 600 sq ft and 15 feet tall, must sit adjacent to a permitted pool, may have a shower but no kitchen.
Davis requires residential rentals to register under the Rental Resources Program (Municipal Code Article 18.11). Owners living more than 50 miles away must list a local contact who can act for the owner.
Davis applies its general noise and nuisance ordinances to short-term rentals. There is no STR-specific quiet-hour rule; hosts and guests must comply with the citywide noise regulations that cover all properties.
Davis has no short-term-rental-specific occupancy cap in its code. Guest numbers are governed instead by the building and housing codes and general nuisance rules; a proposed 2015 cap was never adopted.
Davis imposes no host-presence requirement on short-term rentals. Whole-home and hosted rentals are both allowed, but out-of-area owners must name a local contact within 50 miles under the rental-registration rules.
Davis has no dedicated short-term rental permit ordinance. Instead, hosts must hold a city business license, register the rental if not owner-occupied, and remit the transient occupancy tax on stays of 30 days or less.
Davis has no short-term-rental-specific parking requirement. STR guests follow the same on-street parking and residential zoning parking rules that apply citywide, enforced through the general municipal code.
Davis has no adopted annual night cap on short-term rentals. A 2015 draft proposing a 90-day or 25%-of-days limit was never enacted, so no such limit is in force today.
Davis levies a 12% transient occupancy tax on stays of 30 nights or less under Municipal Code Chapter 15.05. Operators must also hold a business license, and non-owner-occupied units pay rental-registration fees.
Davis does not require a short-term rental to be the host's primary residence. No adopted ordinance imposes an owner-occupancy rule, though accessory dwelling units cannot be rented for under 30 days.
Davis imposes no short-term-rental-specific insurance mandate in its municipal code. Hosts should carry appropriate liability coverage, but no city ordinance requires a minimum policy amount.
Enforcement of unincorporated Yolo County short-term lodging happens on two parallel tracks: zoning violations of Title 8 (operating a B&B, farm stay, or hotel without the required Site Plan Review, Minor Use Permit, or Major Use Permit) handled by the Department of Community Services Planning Division, and Title 3 Chapter 7 TOT collection by the Treasurer-Tax Collector with personal operator liability and a posted-certificate requirement.
Yolo County Code Title 3 Chapter 7 imposes a Uniform Transient Occupancy Tax of 8% of rent on guests staying 30 days or less in unincorporated Yolo County. Sec. 3-7.06 requires every operator to register with the Treasurer-Tax Collector within 30 days of starting business and post a Transient Occupancy Registration Certificate on the premises; Sec. 3-7.05 makes the operator personally liable for collecting and remitting the tax with each guest payment.
Davis participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and enforces floodplain-development standards in FEMA-mapped special flood hazard areas; much of the Davis area is low-lying Central Valley floodplain near Putah Creek and the Yolo Bypass. Building in a flood zone requires elevation to or above base flood elevation.
The California Coastal Act, Public Resources Code sections 30000 through 30900, requires Coastal Development Permits for nearly all work in the coastal zone and gives the Coastal Commission appeal jurisdiction over local decisions.
California Water Code sections 13260 and 13383 implement the federal Clean Water Act through statewide MS4 NPDES permits issued by the State and Regional Water Boards, binding all municipal stormwater dischargers uniformly.
Davis requires property owners to control weeds, dry vegetation and overgrown grass. Conditions violating weed and rubbish abatement law are declared nuisances under Article 23.01 and enforced by Code Enforcement.
Davis limits residents to no more than three garage or yard sales per calendar year, each lasting at most two consecutive days, between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Only personal property may be sold, not resale goods.
Davis treats vacant, unoccupied or abandoned buildings in unsightly or dangerous condition, and overgrown or debris-filled lots, as public nuisances under Article 23.01. Owners must keep vacant parcels clear of weeds, rubbish and hazards.
Davis Municipal Code Article 23.01 declares visual blight a public nuisance. Junk, debris, scrap, rubbish accumulation, inoperable vehicles, and unmaintained exteriors visible from the public right-of-way are prohibited and subject to abatement.
Davis requires trash, recycling and organics carts to be stored off public view between collection days. Carts left at the curb or visible from the street outside collection windows can be cited as visual blight under the nuisance code.
Recology Davis offers fee-based curbside bulky item collection for residents and businesses, scheduled by phone. A bulky waste voucher program provides free landfill loads. Appliances and e-waste are excluded and go to the Yolo County landfill.
Recology Davis requires carts at the curb after 5:00 p.m. the day before collection, wheels against the curb and opening toward the street, spaced 3 feet apart and 3 feet from vehicles, with lids closed and bike lanes and sidewalks clear.
Recology Davis is the exclusive franchise hauler for the City of Davis under DMC 32.01.030. Trash, recycling and organics collection is mandatory and picked up weekly. Recology acquired long-time hauler Davis Waste Removal in 2018.
Illegal dumping of waste on public or private property in Davis is prohibited under California Penal Code 374.3 and is a public nuisance under DMC Article 23.01. Violators face mandatory state fines and cleanup costs, plus city abatement.
Davis requires all residents and businesses to separate recyclables and organic waste from trash, mandatory since 2016 and reinforced by California SB 1383. Recology provides unlimited recycling and a weekly organics cart at no extra cost.
Garage sale signs in Davis are temporary signs regulated under Chapter 3 (Advertising) of the Davis Municipal Code. A one-day-event sign, not exceeding nine square feet, may be posted in the public right-of-way on the day of the event but must come down within 24 hours.
Davis regulates signs, including political and campaign signs, under Chapter 3 (Advertising) of the Davis Municipal Code. Sign rules must be content-neutral under the First Amendment, so political signs on private property are treated like other temporary signs, while signs are broadly restricted in the public right-of-way, including utility poles.
Backyard smokers in Davis are allowed as outdoor cooking devices under the California Fire Code adopted in Chapter 13, with no separate smoker ordinance. Charcoal, wood, pellet, and propane smokers must be kept clear of structures and use only cooking fuel. Open-flame smokers are restricted near apartment balconies.
Residential barbecuing in Davis is allowed and regulated through the California Fire Code adopted in Chapter 13. Grills must be kept clear of combustibles and, at apartments, open-flame grills generally may not be used on combustible balconies. Charcoal barbecues are ordinarily allowed in city parks.
In the Davis R-1 one-family district, no principal building may exceed two stories or thirty feet, and no accessory building may exceed one story or fifteen feet in height.
In the Davis R-1 one-family district, Municipal Code 40.03.060 requires a twenty-foot front yard, a twenty-foot rear yard, five-foot interior side yards, and fifteen-foot street side yards.
In the Davis R-1 one-family district, lot coverage by buildings is limited to forty percent, with coverage above that allowed only through a discretionary design review application, plus up to 500 square feet for a garage or carport.
Davis protects Landmark Trees, Trees of Significance, City street trees, and Private/Protected trees under Municipal Code Chapter 37; a Tree Removal Request is required and healthy protected trees must be mitigated by replacement or in-lieu payment.
California provides statewide protections for native oak woodlands and heritage trees through CEQA review, Public Resources Code, and Forest Practice Rules that apply uniformly.
Davis has a genuine dark-sky outdoor lighting ordinance, Article 8.17 (Outdoor Lighting Control) of the Davis Municipal Code, adopted as Ordinance 1966 in 1998. Its purpose is to minimize light pollution, glare, and light trespass and preserve the night sky, primarily by requiring outdoor light fixtures to be fully shielded.
Davis addresses light trespass through its outdoor lighting ordinance, Article 8.17 of the Davis Municipal Code (Ordinance 1966, 1998). Light trespass is defined as artificial light producing unnecessary and unwanted illumination of an adjacent property, and regulated fixtures must limit trespass and glare through shielding and directional lighting.
Commercial drone operations in California follow uniform federal rules under 14 CFR Part 107 plus statewide California provisions in Civil Code 1708.8 and Public Utilities Code 21401, with local rules limited to ground-based regulation.
Recreational drone flight in California is governed primarily by FAA regulations under 14 CFR Part 107 and 49 USC 44809, with state-level rules added by Civil Code 1708.8 and Government Code 853 applying uniformly statewide.
California sets a statewide minimum wage floor under Labor Code 1182.12, currently $16.50 per hour for all employers as of 2025. Local governments are not preempted and may set higher minimums; many cities exceed the state rate substantially.
California's Healthy Workplaces, Healthy Families Act under Labor Code 245-249 mandates paid sick leave for nearly all employees statewide. SB 616 (2023) raised the minimum to 40 hours or five days annually effective January 2024, applying universally.
California regulates concealed carry weapons licenses statewide under Penal Code 26150 through 26225. Senate Bill 2 (2023) imposes uniform sensitive-place restrictions and applicant standards, preempting local variations on issuance criteria and qualifications.
California preempts most local firearm regulation under Government Code 53071 and Penal Code 25605, reserving licensing, registration, and manufacture authority to the state. However, local governments retain limited authority over discharge, sensitive places, and zoning of gun businesses.
California broadly prohibits open carry of firearms statewide under Penal Code 25850 (loaded firearms in public) and Penal Code 26350 (open carry of unloaded handguns). The prohibition applies uniformly across all California cities and counties without local variation.
California prohibits carrying loaded firearms in vehicles statewide under Penal Code 25400 and 25850. Unloaded handguns transported in private vehicles must be in a locked container or the vehicle's locked trunk; long guns must be unloaded but need not be locked.
California Retail Food Code (Health and Safety Code 113700-114437) sets uniform mobile food facility permit, equipment, and food safety standards enforced by counties statewide.
California's Safe Sidewalk Vending Act (SB 946) preempts most local bans on sidewalk vending, allowing only objective health, safety, and welfare regulations.
California HOAs may levy regular and special assessments, charge late fees and interest, record liens, and ultimately foreclose on delinquent owners under the Davis-Stirling Act. State law (Civil Code sections 5650-5740) caps fees and interest and imposes strict notice steps and a delinquency threshold before any foreclosure may proceed.
California tightly regulates HOA governance. The Common Interest Development Open Meeting Act (Civil Code 4900-4955) governs board meetings and member access, sections 5100-5145 mandate secret-ballot elections with independent inspectors, and sections 5200-5240 give members broad rights to inspect association records.
California HOAs enforce recorded CC&Rs and architectural rules, but Civil Code section 4765 requires architectural decisions to be fair, reasonable, and in good faith, and sections 5900-5965 require internal dispute resolution plus an attempt at alternative dispute resolution before most enforcement lawsuits can be filed.
California HOAs may fine members for rule violations, but only under a published schedule of fines and after strict due-process steps. Civil Code section 5855 requires written notice and a hearing before any monetary penalty, and section 5725 bars fines from becoming a foreclosable lien on the home.
California overrides HOA governing documents on several owner protections. The Davis-Stirling Act and related Civil Code sections bar HOAs from prohibiting solar systems, U.S. flag displays, drought-tolerant landscaping, EV charging stations, and most noncommercial signs, even where local city rules are silent.
California prohibits state and local governments from requiring private employers to use the federal E-Verify system except where federal law mandates it, under Government Code 7285.1 and 7285.3. The restriction applies uniformly to every California city and county.
The California Values Act (SB 54, 2017) codified at Government Code 7284-7284.12 limits state and local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities. It applies uniformly to every California agency and bars participation in most civil immigration enforcement.
California evictions run through the unlawful detainer process. Under Code of Civil Procedure § 1161, nonpayment requires a 3-day notice to pay rent or quit (excluding weekends and holidays), and lease violations require a 3-day notice to cure or quit. No-fault terminations of covered tenancies require 30, 60, or 90 days. Self-help lockouts are illegal.
California landlords must keep rentals fit to live in. Civil Code §§ 1941 and 1941.1, reinforced by Green v. Superior Court, imply a warranty of habitability covering plumbing, heat, water, electricity, and sanitation. If repairs fail after notice, a tenant may repair and deduct up to one month's rent under § 1942 or withhold rent.
Civil Code 1946.2 requires landlords statewide to have just cause to terminate tenancies of qualifying tenants who have lived in a covered unit at least 12 months.
California Civil Code § 1954 limits when a landlord may enter a rented home. Except in emergencies, abandonment, or with tenant consent, the landlord must give reasonable written notice (24 hours is presumed reasonable) and may enter only during normal business hours, for specific permitted reasons such as repairs, inspections, or showings.
California sets no fixed dollar or percentage cap on rent late fees, but a late fee in a residential lease is treated as liquidated damages. Under Civil Code § 1671, such a fee is valid only if it reasonably estimates the landlord's actual loss from late payment; arbitrary penalty fees are unenforceable.
To end a California month-to-month tenancy, a tenant gives 30 days' written notice. A landlord gives 30 days if the tenant has lived there under a year, or 60 days if a year or more, under Civ. Code § 1946.1. AB 1482 requires just cause after 12 months; military and DV tenants may exit early.
California limits annual rent increases statewide to 5% plus the local change in the cost of living, capped at 10%, under the Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (AB-1482). It also lets cities and counties enact their own stricter rent-control ordinances, subject to the limits of the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act.
California requires written notice before raising a month-to-month tenant's rent. Under Civ. Code § 827, increases of 10% or less in 12 months need 30 days' notice; increases above 10% need 90 days' notice. AB 1482 separately caps yearly increases on covered units.
As of July 1, 2024, California landlords may collect no more than one month's rent as a security deposit, regardless of whether the unit is furnished. The deposit, minus any lawful deductions, must be returned with an itemized statement within 21 days after move-out, or the landlord risks penalties of up to twice the deposit.
California adverse possession requires five years of continuous, open, hostile possession AND payment of all property taxes during that period under Code of Civil Procedure § 325. A squatter or trespasser who has not paid taxes gains no ownership and can be removed by unlawful detainer, ejectment, or a police trespass action.
The California Land Conservation Act of 1965 (Williamson Act), Government Code 51200-51297.4, allows landowners to enter contracts with counties restricting land to agricultural use for ten-year minimum terms in exchange for reduced property tax assessment based on farming income.
The California Right to Farm Act under Civil Code 3482.5 protects established agricultural operations from nuisance lawsuits brought by neighbors who moved in after farming began. The law applies statewide and limits both private and local government nuisance actions.
California prohibits grocery stores and large retailers from providing single-use plastic carryout bags under Public Resources Code 42280-42288, enacted by SB 270 (2014) and ratified as Proposition 67 in 2016. Recycled paper or reusable bags require a 10-cent minimum charge.
California restricts expanded polystyrene food containers statewide through SB 54 (2022) packaging requirements under Public Resources Code 42040-42081. The law mandates that polystyrene foodware achieve 25 percent recycling by 2025 or face statewide sales prohibition.
California Public Resources Code 42270-42273, enacted by AB 1884 (2018), prohibits full-service restaurants from providing single-use plastic straws unless requested by the customer. The on-request rule applies uniformly to dine-in restaurants statewide.
Civil Code section 714 voids HOA covenants and rules that prohibit or unreasonably restrict residential solar energy systems, preempting private and local restrictions.
California's Solar Rights Act and the SolarAPP+ mandate (SB 379) require expedited permit review of small residential solar systems, preempting restrictive local processes.
California prohibits sale of tobacco and vapor products to anyone under 21 statewide under Business and Professions Code 22958, enacted by SBX2-7 in 2016. The Tobacco 21 standard applies uniformly across all California jurisdictions.
California bans retail sale of most flavored tobacco products statewide under Health and Safety Code 104559.5, enacted by SB 793 (2020) and upheld by voters via Proposition 31 in November 2022. The ban applies uniformly to all California retailers.
California requires statewide licensing of tobacco and vape retailers under the STAKE Act and the Cigarette and Tobacco Products Licensing Act. Business and Professions Code 22970 establishes uniform retailer licensing, while local governments may adopt stricter rules.