Pop. 106,215 · San Diego County
El Cajon addresses animal hoarding through keeping limits in El Cajon Municipal Code Title 6 and through San Diego County Animal Services, which is contracted to investigate welfare…
El Cajon has no breed-specific restrictions, consistent with CA Food & Agricultural Code Section 31683. Individual dogs may be designated potentially dangerous or vicious based on…
El Cajon requires dogs to be on leash in all city parks. Wells Park has a designated leash-free area. San Diego County leash laws requiring 6-foot leashes on public property also apply.
El Cajon allows up to 4 beehives per property with specific placement restrictions. Only docile species permitted. Hives must not be visible from the public right-of-way or in…
El Cajon allows up to 10 chickens in single-family residential zones at 1 per 100 sq ft of unpaved rear yard. No roosters. Chickens must be in fully enclosed runs with 10 sq ft per…
California Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations (14 CCR 671) prohibit most exotic mammals including ferrets, hedgehogs, monkeys, and sugar gliders statewide. El Cajon enforces…
El Cajon addresses wildlife feeding through its nuisance provisions and San Diego County regulations. Feeding wildlife such as coyotes is prohibited under California Fish and Game Code…
Livestock such as cattle, horses, sheep and goats in unincorporated San Diego County is regulated by the Zoning Ordinance Animal Regulations, which set the number of animals by each…
Unincorporated San Diego County sets no household cat limit. For dogs, keeping seven or more dogs at least four months old makes a property a 'kennel' (County Code 62.602(x)), which…
Unincorporated San Diego County does not license cats, set a cat-number limit, or require cats to be leashed. Cats are accessory uses under zoning. Owners must keep premises sanitary…
California SB 1383 requires El Cajon residents and businesses to separate organic waste (food scraps, yard trimmings) from trash; EDCO provides curbside green-waste and food-scrap…
El Cajon requires all landscaped areas to include trees of at least 15-gallon size. Private trees overhanging public rights-of-way must maintain clearance. The city's development…
El Cajon requires property owners to maintain landscaping to prevent nuisance conditions. VHFHSZ properties must keep grass at 4 inches max. The hot, dry climate creates both…
El Cajon enforces MWELO for new and modified landscapes of 500+ sq ft. Landscape documentation packages required for qualifying projects. Grading plans must minimize water waste. The…
Rainwater harvesting is legal and encouraged in El Cajon. California AB 1750 (2012) allows residential rainwater collection without a permit. Rain barrels under 5,000 gallons are…
El Cajon does not have a heritage tree ordinance or a permit requirement for removing trees on private residential property. Property owners may generally remove trees without city…
El Cajon requires property owners to maintain vegetation and control weeds to prevent nuisance and fire hazard. Code Compliance at 619-441-1742 handles complaints. The city partners…
El Cajon permits artificial turf installation on residential properties. California law (Gov Code 65595) prohibits cities from requiring natural grass lawns. Artificial turf may…
El Cajon encourages drought-tolerant and native landscaping consistent with California's Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO). New landscapes over 500 square feet must…
El Cajon allows tiny homes as ADUs under California Government Code 65852.2 and ECMC Chapter 17.220. A tiny home on a permanent foundation that meets building code may qualify as a…
El Cajon cannot require owner-occupancy on standard ADUs permitted after January 1, 2020 because California Government Code §65852.2(a)(6) — made permanent by AB 976 (2023) — preempts…
El Cajon waives all local impact fees on ADUs under 750 sq ft per California Government Code §65852.2(f)(3). ADUs 750 sq ft or larger pay impact fees proportional to the primary…
El Cajon ADUs may only be rented for terms of 30 days or more under California Government Code §65852.2(a)(7). Short-term rentals under 30 days are not authorized for ADUs created…
El Cajon processes ADU and JADU applications ministerially through the Community Development Department under ECMC Title 17 and California Government Code §65852.2. State law caps…
El Cajon allows garage conversions to ADUs per CA Gov Code Section 65852.2. Replacement parking is not required. Tandem parking in driveways is permitted. Building permits required for…
El Cajon regulates accessory structures through the zoning ordinance. Structures must comply with setback and height requirements. Sheds may not be in front yards. Building permits…
El Cajon allows one ADU plus one JADU per single-family lot. Maximum 1,200 sq ft but not larger than the primary dwelling. Setbacks of 5 ft allow 20 ft height, 4 ft allows 16 ft. El…
Carports in El Cajon require a building permit under Title 15 and must comply with the setback, height, and lot coverage standards in Title 17 Zoning. Detached carports in residential…
El Cajon prohibits leaf blower operation between 7 PM and 7 AM within residential zones or 500 feet of them. CA AB 1346 banned the sale of new gas-powered blowers statewide since…
El Cajon addresses barking dogs through general noise provisions and animal control. Animals must be kept so as not to create offensive noise affecting surrounding properties…
El Cajon prohibits amplified sound reproduction that disturbs the peace, quiet, or comfort of neighboring residents or businesses. Horn, bell, or mechanical sound reproduction from…
El Cajon regulates noise under Municipal Code Chapter 9.44 using a reasonableness standard rather than specific decibel limits. Equipment and construction noise is prohibited between 7…
El Cajon establishes noise level standards by land use zone in ECMC Chapter 9.44 and the General Land Use Regulations (Ch. 17.200). Sound levels are measured at property lines. The…
Outdoor amplified music in El Cajon is regulated under ECMC Chapter 9.44. It is unlawful to operate any sound-reproducing device in a manner that disturbs the peace, quiet, or comfort…
El Cajon experiences significant aircraft noise from Gillespie Field (SEE), a public airport within city limits. The airport operates under FAA jurisdiction and the city cannot…
Industrial and commercial noise in El Cajon is regulated by the zoning performance standards in ECMC Chapter 17.200. Sound levels from any operation or land use must not exceed…
El Cajon prohibits construction, maintenance, and repair work between 7 PM and 7 AM within residential zones or 500 feet of them. Leaf blowers, mowers, and power tools are included…
In unincorporated San Diego County, County Code Section 36.414(c)(8) prohibits using a motor vehicle to knowingly cause annoying noise by backfiring, tire-screeching, or operating…
El Cajon requires 100-foot defensible space per PRC Section 4291. Heartland Fire & Rescue enforces brush management. The East County valley climate with hot summers and Santa Ana winds…
El Cajon allows recreational fires under California Fire Code provisions. Fire pits must maintain required setbacks from structures and combustible materials. Gas fire features require…
SDAPCD Rule 80.1 governs all outdoor burning in El Cajon. Open burning of yard waste is prohibited. CAL FIRE suspends burn permits during fire season. The hot East County climate…
ALL consumer fireworks are illegal in El Cajon and throughout San Diego County, including sparklers and safe-and-sane varieties. Only professional permitted displays are allowed. The…
Portions of eastern El Cajon are mapped in CAL FIRE's Fire Hazard Severity Zones. Properties in these areas must maintain defensible space of 100 feet under PRC 4291. Heartland Fire &…
Small recreational backyard fires are allowed in unincorporated San Diego County if at least 25 feet from structures, attended by an adult, and equipped with extinguishing tools. Open…
Residential smoke alarm requirements in unincorporated San Diego County are set primarily by California state law (Health & Safety Code 13113.7-13113.8) and the building code, not a…
Bulk storage of liquefied petroleum gas (propane) is prohibited in most of unincorporated San Diego County under County Fire Code Sec. 6104.2, except in mixed/general/high-impact…
El Cajon offers a free online RV parking permit system for street parking. Residents can have 3 active permits at a time, up to 52 per year. Living in an RV on private residential…
El Cajon restricts commercial vehicle parking in residential areas through zoning and parking regulations. Home occupation vehicles must comply with Section 17.225.050. The 72-hour…
El Cajon requires paved driveways and off-street parking per ECMC Section 17.245. Off-street parking may not be within 10 feet of a public street, except authorized driveways at…
El Cajon enforces the 72-hour vehicle storage rule under ECMC 10.28.060 and California Vehicle Code 22651. Vehicles parked on public streets for more than 72 hours without significant…
El Cajon enforces the 72-hour consecutive street parking limit per CVC Section 22651(k). The city's free RV permit system allows one-day permits for recreational vehicles. Street…
El Cajon restricts overnight street parking for commercial vehicles over 10,000 pounds GVW between 9:00 PM and 6:00 AM under ECMC 10.28.070. The city also enforces a 72-hour vehicle…
El Cajon follows the California Building Code requirements for EV charging infrastructure in new construction. CalGreen mandates EV-capable or EV-ready parking spaces in new…
The unincorporated County has no special oversized-vehicle street ordinance like the City of San Diego's. Oversized vehicles on unincorporated streets are governed by the general…
County Code Sec. 72.131 establishes freight loading zones (marked by signs or a yellow curb line stenciled 'LOADING ONLY'), and Sec. 72.132 covers passenger loading zones. Yellow-curb…
In unincorporated San Diego County, curb colors are authorized by County Code Sec. 72.135 and the colors' meanings are set by California Vehicle Code Sec. 21458. Only the County (Road…
El Cajon requires full California Pool Safety Act compliance. GFI outlets 10+ feet from pools. Anti-entrapment drain covers mandatory. El Cajon requires a sewer lateral video for ADUs…
California Pool Safety Act (H&S Section 115920) requires 60-inch minimum barriers plus two additional drowning prevention features. Self-closing self-latching gates required…
Above-ground pools in El Cajon are subject to the same California Building Code safety requirements as in-ground pools. Pools 18 inches or deeper require a building permit and must…
Hot tubs and spas in El Cajon must comply with the California Building Code and Swimming Pool Safety Act. Spas require the same barrier and safety features as swimming pools. A…
El Cajon requires building permits for swimming pool and spa installations. Pools may not be in front or exterior side yards and must be 3+ feet from rear and interior side property…
El Cajon requires a short-term rental permit under Municipal Code Section 17.120 and a TOT certificate. ADUs may not be used for STRs. Compliance with noise, parking, and occupancy…
El Cajon requires STR guests to use off-street parking where available. The 72-hour street parking limit applies. RV parking on city streets requires a free one-day permit through the…
El Cajon STR guests must comply with ECMC Chapter 9.44 noise regulations. Equipment and construction noise prohibited 7 PM-7 AM near residential zones. The reasonableness standard…
El Cajon does not impose a specific annual night cap on short-term rentals. Properties with valid STR permits may operate year-round. The city regulates STRs primarily through permit…
El Cajon regulates short-term rental occupancy through its STR permit conditions. Occupancy limits are typically tied to the number of bedrooms and the property's established capacity…
Short-term rental operators in El Cajon must obtain a city business license under ECMC Title 5 and register for the Transient Occupancy Tax. The city requires TOT collection at 10% on…
El Cajon does not mandate a specific insurance requirement for short-term rental operators in its municipal code. Operators are encouraged to carry adequate liability insurance…
El Cajon imposes a 10% Transient Occupancy Tax on all rentals of 30 days or less, including Airbnb and VRBO properties. TOT is due quarterly. A TOT certificate must be obtained and…
Unincorporated San Diego County does not require a short-term rental to be the operator's primary residence. Because the County never adopted an STR licensing ordinance, whole-home…
Unincorporated San Diego County does not require a host to be present, on-site, or even local during a short-term rental stay. With no County STR ordinance, there is no mandatory…
California Civil Code Section 841 governs shared fence costs in El Cajon. A 6-foot masonry wall is required where non-residential abuts residential zones. The city enforces code…
El Cajon does not require building permits for fences up to 6 feet. Taller fences or alternative materials need an administrative zoning permit. Retaining walls may require engineering…
El Cajon regulates fence materials through ECMC Chapter 17.130. Barbed wire and razor wire are prohibited in residential zones. Chain-link fencing is permitted but must be maintained…
Pool barriers in El Cajon must comply with the California Building Code (Title 24 Chapter 31) and the Swimming Pool Safety Act. Barriers must be at least 60 inches high with…
Retaining walls in El Cajon under 4 feet in height (measured from bottom of footing) are generally exempt from building permits. Walls over 4 feet require a building permit and…
El Cajon allows fences up to 6 feet without a building permit. Front yard and corner visibility areas limited to 42 inches. The director of community development may approve taller…
Fences in unincorporated San Diego County must meet Section 6708 zoning height and location limits and, where a permit applies, the construction standards in County handout PDS-070…
San Diego County does not mandate a particular fence material; owners choose opacity, and wood, chain-link, and masonry are all addressed in County handout PDS-070 with prescriptive…
El Cajon requires a business license for all home businesses per ECMC Title 5. Home occupations must comply with Section 17.225.050 zoning requirements. Open space zoning permits home…
El Cajon prohibits exterior signage for home occupations. The dwelling must maintain residential character. No visible commercial activity permitted from the exterior.
El Cajon home occupations must not generate traffic that changes the residential character of the neighborhood. Home occupation vehicle requirements are specified in Section 17.225.050.
Small family daycare homes (up to 8 children) are permitted by right in all residential zones in El Cajon under California Health and Safety Code Section 1597.45. Large family daycare…
Cottage food operations in El Cajon are permitted under the California Homemade Food Act (AB 1616/AB 1266). Class A operations (direct sales only) require a self-certification…
In unincorporated San Diego County, a home occupation is a permitted accessory use by right under Zoning Ordinance Section 6156.m when its conditions are met — there is no separate…
El Cajon requires trash bins to be placed at the curb by 6:00 AM on collection day with lids closed. Bins must be spaced at least 3 feet apart and 3 feet from obstacles. Bins may not…
EDCO Disposal provides weekly curbside collection of trash, recyclables, and green waste for El Cajon residents. Collection is on a scheduled weekday. Bins must be placed at the curb…
El Cajon residential recycling is mandatory under California's recycling laws and the city's waste hauler agreement with EDCO. AB 341 requires businesses generating 4+ cubic yards of…
EDCO Disposal provides bulk item pickup for El Cajon residential customers. Residents may schedule up to two bulk pickups per year at no additional charge. Additional pickups and large…
California's SB 1383 mandates organic-waste recycling statewide. San Diego County implements it in the unincorporated area through its Solid Waste Ordinance (effective June 4, 2021)…
El Cajon does not codify specific hours for residential garage sales. Sales should be conducted during reasonable daytime hours consistent with neighborhood norms. Evening sales with…
El Cajon allows garage sales at residential properties without a specific permit. Garage sales are treated as a temporary residential activity. Sales must comply with sign regulations…
El Cajon does not impose a specific numerical limit on residential garage sale frequency. However, frequent or continuous sales that resemble retail operations may be cited as…
Built-in outdoor kitchens in El Cajon require permits through the Community Development Department: a building permit for the structure, a mechanical permit for natural-gas or…
El Cajon adopts the California Fire Code under ECMC Title 15. CFC §308.1.4 prohibits open-flame cooking devices (charcoal, wood) and propane tanks larger than 2.5 lbs on combustible…
El Cajon has no city-specific ordinance regulating residential backyard smokers, pellet grills, or wood-fired ovens at single-family homes. Operation is governed by California Fire…
El Cajon has no city ordinance specifically regulating residential inflatable holiday displays. Inflatables are permitted on private property subject to right-of-way obstruction rules…
El Cajon has no city ordinance setting installation dates, removal deadlines, or brightness limits for residential holiday lights. Lights are permitted year-round on private property…
El Cajon has no city ordinance restricting residential lawn ornaments, statuary, or religious displays on private property. California Civil Code §4710 limits HOA bans on small…
El Cajon regulates sidewalk vending under ECMC Chapter 10.40 consistent with SB 946 (California's Safe Sidewalk Vending Act). Stationary vendors require sidewalks at least 10 feet…
Food trucks operating in El Cajon require a San Diego County Mobile Food Facility Permit and compliance with ECMC zoning provisions under Section 17.225.240. Food trucks may operate at…
El Cajon has FEMA flood zones and the Gillespie Field Airport Overlay Zone affecting development. The Airport Overlay (RA1/RA2) restricts land use near the airport. Avigation easements…
El Cajon enforces stormwater regulations under its NPDES Municipal Permit as a co-permittee in the San Diego region. Development projects must implement permanent stormwater BMPs…
El Cajon requires erosion and sediment control plans for all construction and grading activities under ECMC Title 16 (Subdivisions) and the city's NPDES Municipal Permit compliance…
El Cajon is located approximately 15 miles inland from the Pacific coast and is not within the California Coastal Zone. The California Coastal Commission has no jurisdiction in El…
Grading and drainage in El Cajon are regulated under ECMC Title 15 (Building & Construction) and Title 16 (Subdivisions). A grading permit is required for earthwork exceeding 50 cubic…
El Cajon limits residential building height through Title 17 of the zoning ordinance. Single-family zones generally allow a maximum height of 35 feet. Height is measured from the…
El Cajon regulates lot coverage through Title 17 of the Zoning Ordinance. Maximum lot coverage varies by residential zone, with R-1 zones typically allowing up to 50% coverage. All…
El Cajon establishes minimum setbacks by zone district in ECMC Title 17. Single-family residential zones require front yard setbacks of 15 to 25 feet, side yards of 5 to 10 feet, and…
El Cajon prohibits all outdoor cannabis cultivation. Indoor cultivation of up to six plants per residence is protected under Proposition 64 (CA Health & Safety Code Section 11362.2)…
El Cajon prohibits all cannabis dispensaries, delivery services, and commercial cannabis operations within city limits. The City Council banned dispensaries in October 2010 and…
El Cajon enforces a juvenile curfew under ECMC Chapter 9.62. Minors under 18 are prohibited from being in any public place between 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM. Exceptions include employment…
El Cajon city parks are generally open from dawn to dusk unless otherwise posted. The city closes parks at sunset and being in a park after hours is a violation of the municipal code…
Recreational drone flying in El Cajon is heavily restricted due to the Gillespie Field airport Class D airspace. All drone operators must comply with FAA regulations including…
Commercial drone operations in El Cajon require an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate and LAANC authorization for flights within Gillespie Field's Class D airspace. Operators must…
El Cajon requires trash bins to be stored out of public view except on collection days. Bins should be placed at the curb the evening before collection and retrieved by the evening of…
El Cajon requires vacant lots to be maintained free of weeds, debris, and fire hazards under the municipal code and Heartland Fire & Rescue standards. Property owners must abate weeds…
El Cajon enforces property blight and nuisance conditions through ECMC Title 1 Chapter 1.36 (Nuisance Abatement). Code Compliance addresses conditions including overgrown vegetation…
El Cajon is located in a warm inland valley in San Diego County and does not experience snowfall. The city has no snow removal or ice clearing ordinance. Sidewalk maintenance…
El Cajon requires that garage sale activities not create property maintenance issues such as items left on the front yard after the sale, debris in the street, or obstruction of…
Unincorporated San Diego County has no purely cosmetic lawn-height rule, but the Defensible Space Ordinance requires clearing combustible vegetation, dry grass, brush, and weeds within…
El Cajon does not require a separate rental property registration program. Landlords must obtain a city business license under ECMC Title 5 for rental property operations. The city…
El Cajon does not have a local rent control ordinance. Covered rental properties are subject to California's AB 1482 (Tenant Protection Act), which caps annual rent increases at 5%…
El Cajon does not have a local just cause eviction ordinance. Covered tenancies are protected by California AB 1482, which requires landlords to cite a specific just cause for…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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%…
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…
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…
Garage sale signs in El Cajon are regulated under ECMC Chapter 17.190 (Signs). Signs may not be placed on public property, utility poles, or traffic signs. Temporary garage sale signs…
Political signs in El Cajon are protected by the First Amendment and California Elections Code Section 18310. The city cannot prohibit political signs on private property. Signs on…
El Cajon permits holiday displays on residential properties under the sign ordinance's exemptions. Holiday decorations are generally treated as temporary non-commercial speech and are…
El Cajon offers a streamlined, ministerial solar photovoltaic permit process as required by California AB 2188 and SB 1222. Residential rooftop solar systems meeting standard criteria…
California Civil Code Section 714 (the Solar Rights Act) prohibits HOAs and CC&Rs from effectively restricting solar panel installations. HOAs cannot prohibit solar but may impose…
El Cajon does not require tree removal permits for private residential property. Trees on private land may generally be removed at the owner's discretion. Street tree removal requires…
El Cajon does not have a citywide tree replacement ordinance for private property. Tree replacement may be required as a condition of development approvals. Street tree replacement is…
El Cajon does not have a heritage tree or protected tree ordinance. There is no city program that designates or protects specific trees based on species, size, or age. Private property…
El Cajon addresses light trespass through its zoning development standards and nuisance provisions. Exterior lighting on new development must be shielded to prevent light from spilling…
El Cajon does not have a dedicated dark sky ordinance. Outdoor lighting on new development is regulated through the zoning code's general development standards to minimize light…
El Cajon requires solicitors, peddlers, and itinerant merchants to obtain a business license under ECMC Title 5 Chapters 5.04 and 5.08. The license tax is two dollars per day. A surety…
El Cajon regulates door-to-door solicitation through ECMC Title 5 business license requirements. Solicitors and peddlers must be licensed. No-soliciting signs posted by homeowners are…
San Diego County does not have a specific bamboo ban or containment ordinance. Running bamboo that spreads to neighboring properties may create civil liability under California…
California's noxious weed list (Food & Ag Code §5004) applies in San Diego County. The San Diego County Agricultural Commissioner enforces state plant quarantines and monitors invasive…
Front yard vegetable gardens are allowed in unincorporated San Diego County. California AB 2561 (2022) prohibits local governments from banning residential food gardens. The county's…
California is a two-party (all-party) consent state under Penal Code §632. Recording confidential conversations without all parties' consent is a crime. This applies countywide in San…
Security cameras on private property are legal in San Diego County. California's two-party consent law (Penal Code §632) applies to audio recording. Video-only surveillance of your own…
In unincorporated San Diego County, fences and freestanding walls up to 6 feet do not require a building permit if they comply with zoning setback requirements. Front yard fences are…
San Diego County's Code Compliance Division handles complaints for unincorporated areas. Reports can be filed online through Accela Citizen Access, by phone, or by email. The division…
San Diego County Code Compliance prioritizes complaints by severity. Safety hazards and environmental risks receive expedited response. Routine complaints are generally investigated…
Common violations in unincorporated San Diego County include unpermitted construction, illegal grading, overgrown vegetation, dilapidated buildings and fences, unpermitted home…
In unincorporated San Diego County, one-story detached sheds under 120 square feet are exempt from building permits if they maintain at least 6 feet clearance from other buildings…
Fences and freestanding masonry walls under 6 feet that comply with the County Zoning Ordinance do not require building permits in unincorporated San Diego County. Fences over 6 feet…
Decks not more than 30 inches above grade are exempt from building permits in San Diego County. Elevated decks, covered patios, and attached patio covers require permits. At-grade…
Most renovation work in unincorporated San Diego County requires building permits. Permits are needed for structural, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and roofing work. Cosmetic work…
California sets a statewide minimum wage floor under Labor Code 1182.12, $16.90 per hour for all employers as of January 2026. Local governments are not preempted and may set higher…
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…
California regulates concealed carry weapons licenses statewide under Penal Code 26150 through 26225. Senate Bill 2 (2023) imposes uniform sensitive-place restrictions and applicant…
California preempts most local firearm regulation under Government Code 53071 and Penal Code 25605, reserving licensing, registration, and manufacture authority to the state. However…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
California prohibits state and local governments from requiring private employers to use the federal E-Verify system except where federal law mandates it, under Labor Code 2812. The…
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…
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…
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…
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…
California restricts expanded polystyrene food containers statewide through SB 54 (2022) packaging requirements under Public Resources Code 42040-42081. The law mandates that…
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…
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…
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…
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…