Elkhorn, CA

Pool barriers in unincorporated Monterey County are governed by the California Swimming Pool Safety Act (Health & Safety Code §§115920-115929) and California Building Code §3109. Any new or remodeled pool deeper than 18 inches must be enclosed by a barrier at least 60 inches high with a self-closing, self-latching gate that opens away from the pool, OR provide at least two of seven approved drowning-prevention safety features. The County adopts and enforces these standards through its Building Inspection Office.

In unincorporated Monterey County (Title 21 inland, Title 20 coastal), fences may not exceed 6 feet in any zoning district unless they meet accessory-structure setbacks. In a required front yard, or in a side yard adjoining a street on a reverse corner lot, fences are capped at 4 feet. Cal. Civ Code §841 (Good Neighbor Fence Act) governs cost-sharing.

Monterey County Code Chapter 10.68 prohibits all fireworks - including 'safe and sane' fireworks - in the unincorporated areas of the County. MCC 10.68.040 sets penalties. The ban extends to all coastal beaches, federal and state parks, and military installations. State-licensed public displays are the only exception.

Monterey County Code Chapter 18.56 (Wildfire Protection Standards for Defensible Space and Structures in State Responsibility Areas) and Cal. Public Resources Code section 4291 require 100 feet of defensible space around structures in State Responsibility Areas (SRA) and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. Zone 0 (0-5 ft) is ember-resistant, Zone 1 (5-30 ft) is lean and green, Zone 2 (30-100 ft) is reduced fuel.

Outdoor burning in unincorporated Monterey County is regulated by Monterey County Code Chapter 18.09 (adopted California Fire Code) and the Monterey Bay Air Resources District (MBARD) Rule 438. Open burning generally requires a burn permit and is only permitted on declared 'burn days' announced by MBARD. Recreational fire pits using clean fuel are allowed but subject to size and clearance rules and may be suspended during Red Flag warnings.

Large portions of unincorporated Monterey County - including the Big Sur coast, Carmel Highlands, Carmel Valley, Cachagua, Arroyo Seco, and the Santa Lucia Range - are mapped as State Responsibility Area (SRA) and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. New construction must meet Cal. Building Code Chapter 7A (wildfire-resistant materials) and MCC Chapter 18.56 defensible space rules. Disclosure under Cal. Government Code section 51183.5 is required on sale.

Monterey County Code Chapter 10.60 (Noise Control) governs unincorporated areas including Big Sur, Pebble Beach, Carmel Valley, and Pajaro. MCC 10.60.040 sets nighttime quiet hours from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. with reduced exterior limits. The County's Nighttime Noise Ordinance treats amplified or unreasonable sound exceeding 45 dBA at 50 feet between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. as a violation, and sound exceeding 85 dBA at 50 feet is prohibited any time.

Excessive barking is a nuisance under Monterey County Code Title 8 (Animal Control) and Chapter 10.60 (Noise Control). Persistent barking, howling, or other animal noise that disturbs neighbors can result in a Violation Notice, citation, or abatement action by Monterey County Animal Services. Complaints in unincorporated areas go to Animal Services at (831) 769-8850.

Monterey County Code section 8.20.010 prohibits dogs from running at large anywhere in the unincorporated county at any time. Off the owner's premises, dogs must be on a leash no more than 6 feet long held by a capable handler, or otherwise confined. All dogs over 4 months must be licensed (MCC 8.08.030) and rabies-vaccinated (MCC 8.08.010).

Monterey County Code Title 8 (Animal Control) and Title 21/20 zoning regulate the keeping of chickens, fowl, and livestock in unincorporated areas. Roosters in any quantity require a permit or permit exemption under MCC Title 8. Hens are generally allowed in residential zones with setback rules; commercial-scale poultry and livestock operations require an agricultural zone.

The Monterey Peninsula (Carmel-by-the-Sea, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Seaside, Sand City, Del Rey Oaks, and unincorporated coastal areas served by California American Water) is governed by the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District's Water Conservation and Rationing Plan (Rule 160 et seq.). Outdoor irrigation is limited to two days per week (Wednesdays and Saturdays), 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 15 minutes per location. Inland Salinas Valley areas are governed by separate district rules.

Monterey County Code Chapter 16.60 (Preservation of Oak and Other Protected Trees) requires a Tree Removal Permit to remove most native trees - including coast live oak, valley oak, blue oak, Monterey cypress, Monterey pine, and redwood - on private property in the unincorporated county. MCC 16.60.040 sets standards for removal of 3 or fewer protected trees; removal of more requires a Use Permit. Coastal Zone removals also require a Coastal Development Permit.

Monterey County Code Chapter 12.72 regulates abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, or inoperative vehicles - including RVs, trailers, and boats - on public streets and private property. Vehicles parked on any public street may not remain more than 72 hours; RVs may not be occupied as a dwelling on private residential property. Zoning rules under MCC Title 21 (inland) and Title 20 (coastal) restrict storage of RVs and boats in front yards.

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.

Coastal shoreline development in Monterey County is governed by MCC Title 20 (Coastal Implementation Plan) and the County's certified Local Coastal Program (LCP) - including the Big Sur Coast LUP, Carmel Area LUP, Del Monte Forest LUP, and North County LUP. Shoreline armoring (seawalls, riprap) generally requires a Coastal Development Permit and is allowed only to protect pre-1977 structures or essential public infrastructure. The Big Sur Coast LUP bars almost all shoreline alteration.

Monterey County Code Chapter 16.16 (Reduction of Flood Damage and Management of Coastal Zones) is the Countywide Floodplain Ordinance, required for participation in the FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Development within the 100-year floodplain (Zone A, AE) or within 200 feet of a riverbank requires a Use Permit. Key flood-prone areas include the Salinas River, Pajaro River, Carmel River, and coastal lagoons.