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's shoreline is regulated under California Coastal Act (Cal. Public Resources Code section 30000 et seq.) and the County's certified Local Coastal Program. Title 20 of the Monterey County Code (Coastal Implementation Plan) is the zoning ordinance for the Coastal Zone, administered by Housing and Community Development. The LCP is built from four separate Land Use Plans: Big Sur Coast LUP (1986, the most protective in California); Carmel Area LUP; Del Monte Forest LUP (Pebble Beach); and North County LUP (Moss Landing, Pajaro Dunes). New shoreline development must site landward of geologic hazard setbacks - typically 60 to 130 feet from the bluff edge, calculated as the projected 75- or 100-year erosion distance. Shoreline armoring (seawalls, riprap revetments, bulkheads) is allowed under Coastal Act section 30235 only to protect existing (pre-Coastal Act, i.e., pre-1977) structures or essential coastal-dependent public infrastructure (e.g., Highway 1). All shoreline structures require a Coastal Development Permit, and California Coastal Commission review on appeal. Big Sur Coast LUP explicitly bars 'alteration of the shoreline including diking, dredging, and filling' except for Highway 1 maintenance. The County is updating the Big Sur Coast LUP under REF 210024.
Unpermitted coastal development is enforceable by both the County (under MCC Title 20 general penalty provisions) and the California Coastal Commission (under Cal. Public Resources Code section 30820). Coastal Commission penalties can reach $15,000 per day per violation, plus restoration costs. Unpermitted armoring typically must be removed at owner cost.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Monterey, CA
Persistent dog barking in the City of Monterey is enforced under the noise ordinance and animal provisions as a disturbance; chronic barking that disturbs ne...
Monterey, CA
Construction noise in the City of Monterey is limited to daytime hours under the noise ordinance — typically 7 a.m.–7 p.m. weekdays with reduced weekend hour...
Monterey, CA
The City of Monterey regulates noise through its municipal code, prohibiting loud and disturbing noise with stricter nighttime limits (generally 10 p.m.–7 a....
Monterey, CA
Driveway approaches in the City of Monterey require an encroachment permit and must meet city standards; vehicles generally must be parked on an approved pav...
Monterey, CA
RV, trailer and boat storage on residential lots in the City of Monterey is regulated by zoning, which restricts placement and prohibits living in a parked RV.
Monterey, CA
On-street parking in the City of Monterey is governed by the vehicle code, with extensive metered and time-limited zones downtown and near the wharf, plus 72...
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