Pop. 13,860 · Nevada County
We currently have 1 ordinance verified for Grass Valley, CA. Our research team is actively working to add more categories including noise rules, parking restrictions, fence regulations, building permits, and other local ordinances that affect daily life.
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Grass Valley's parking rules are in Title 10 (Vehicles and Traffic) of the Municipal Code — Chapter 10.32 (Stopping, Standing and Parking) and Chapter 10.48 (Off-Street Parking Lots). Zoning Chapter 17.26 sets off-street parking requirements at each property. Parking on the front yard or unpaved areas is prohibited; vehicles must use an improved driveway or off-street parking area.
RVs, travel trailers, and boats may be stored on a residential parcel in unincorporated Nevada County, but full-time occupancy of an RV as a dwelling is prohibited unless a temporary-occupancy permit is issued. RVs cannot block fire-access lanes and must remain registered and operable. Abandoned/inoperable vehicles on private property are violations of the Land Use & Development Code.
Nevada County Code Title 8 (Animal Regulation) makes it unlawful for an owner to allow a dog or other animal to disturb the peace by habitual barking, howling, or other noise. Complaints are investigated by Nevada County Animal Services and may result in a citation, abatement order, or nuisance hearing.
Unincorporated Nevada County applies a tiered exterior noise standard set in Land Use & Development Code Section L-II 4.1.7. At residential receivers the daytime cap (7 AM-7 PM) is 55 dBA Leq / 75 dBA Lmax; evening (7 PM-10 PM) is 50 dBA Leq / 65 dBA Lmax; nighttime (10 PM-7 AM) is 45 dBA Leq. Where two zoning districts abut, the more restrictive district's standard plus 5 dBA applies.
California sets statewide airport noise limits under Title 21 CCR, with the state preempting most local aviation noise control because federal FAA authority dominates aircraft operations in flight.
All fireworks - including 'Safe and Sane' state-approved fireworks - are illegal throughout Nevada County, both unincorporated areas and within Grass Valley, Nevada City, and Truckee. The countywide ban is enforced under Nevada County Code Title 4 (Fire Safety Regulations) together with California Health & Safety Code Sections 12500-12534 and 12677.
Outdoor burning of dry landscape vegetation is allowed in unincorporated Nevada County only on permissive burn days during the declared open burn season (typically December 1 through April 30). A free CAL FIRE LE-7 burn permit is required from May 1 onward and household trash burning is always prohibited.
Nearly the entire unincorporated Nevada County is mapped by CAL FIRE as a High or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) in the State Responsibility Area under PRC 4202. New construction in these zones must comply with California Building Code Chapter 7A (ignition-resistant materials) and the County's enhanced defensible-space ordinance. The Wildland-Urban Interface includes the foothills around Nevada City, Grass Valley, Penn Valley, North San Juan, and the Tahoe-adjacent Truckee basin.
Nevada County adopts the California Fire Code (CFC Section 307) under Title 4 of the County Code. Recreational fires must be at least 25 feet from any structure or combustible material, kept under 3 feet in pile size and 2 feet in height, attended at all times, and accompanied by a charged garden hose or other extinguishing equipment. All open burning, including recreational piles, is prohibited on no-burn days and during the declared closed fire season.
Nevada County's Hazardous Vegetation Abatement Ordinance extends California Public Resources Code 4291 by requiring 100 feet of defensible space around structures - measured to the property line if needed - and adds vegetation-management requirements along private roads and emergency-access routes. Inspections are conducted by the Nevada County Office of Emergency Services Defensible Space program.
California uniformly applies the State Fire Marshal's propane storage standards through the California Fire Code, which all local jurisdictions must enforce as a minimum.
Nevada County Code Title 8 prohibits any dog or other animal from being 'at large' off its owner's premises. An animal is deemed at large when it is off the owner's property and not under direct control by leash, chain, tether, adequate fence, or other effective device. Violations carry impoundment, redemption fees, and administrative penalties.
Section L-II 3.4 of the Land Use & Development Code allows backyard chickens (hens only, no roosters) in the R1 and RA zoning districts. Hen counts range from 4 to 12 depending on parcel size. Coops must be set back at least 10 feet from any property line and at least 30 feet from any adjacent residence. Roosters, guinea hens, and loud exotic varieties are prohibited.
Beekeeping is broadly allowed in unincorporated Nevada County. Hobbyist apiaries with fewer than 10 hives pay no County registration fee (Board Resolution 93-393, July 28, 1993). All apiaries must be registered with the California Department of Food and Agriculture through the BeeWhere portal as of January 1, 2025. Commercial apiaries are capped at 48 hives per location during nectar flow (May 15 - October 15) and must keep a 2-mile buffer between new commercial locations.
California Food and Agriculture Code section 31683 preempts cities from banning specific dog breeds, though localities may regulate spay-neuter and breeding by breed.
Most of western Nevada County is served by the Nevada Irrigation District (NID). Under NID's adopted Drought Contingency Plan, Stage 1 asks for 10% voluntary conservation and limits treated-water customers to every-other-day outdoor irrigation. Higher stages can mandate cutbacks, restrict new water sales to 1 miner's inch, and discourage flood irrigation. Truckee-area properties are served by the Truckee-Donner Public Utility District and follow its own conservation rules.
Most of unincorporated Nevada County does not impose a general tree-removal permit on private property, but a Tree Removal Permit is required within the Nevada City Sphere of Influence Area Development Policy (ADP). Inside Nevada City limits, Ordinance 2023-03 requires a city permit for any tree with a cumulative diameter at breast height of 4 inches or more (Madrone, Manzanita, Oak) or 6 inches or more for all other species.
Government Code 65850.3 prevents California cities and HOAs from banning drought-tolerant artificial turf installed at single-family residential properties.
SB 1383 requires every California resident and business to separate food scraps and yard waste from trash, with universal collection or on-site composting.
AB-1572 prohibits using potable water to irrigate non-functional turf at commercial, institutional, and HOA-common areas, accelerating native and low-water landscape conversions statewide.
The 2012 Rainwater Capture Act allows California residents to capture rainwater from rooftops for non-potable outdoor use without a state water-right permit, preempting most local barriers.
Nevada County Land Use & Development Code Sections L-II 3.19 and L-II 3.19.1 implement state ADU law (Gov. Code 65852.2) and JADU law (65852.22). One ADU plus one Junior ADU is allowed by-right on any lot with a single-family home, conforming to state size ceilings, a minimum 5-foot side/rear setback, and the County's Wildland-Urban Interface standards. ADUs built after April 25, 2019 are recorded with a deed restriction prohibiting use as a short-term rental.
Government Code 65852.2 expressly authorizes converting an existing garage into an ADU, with no replacement parking allowed and ministerial approval required.
California HCD guidance and Health and Safety Code 18007 classify many tiny homes on wheels as manufactured housing or ADUs, granting statewide siting protections.
Unincorporated Nevada County does not require a Planning Department permit to operate a short-term rental in a primary residence. Operators must register for and collect a 10% Transient Occupancy Tax under Nevada County Code Title 3, Chapter 6. ADUs permitted after April 25, 2019 carry a recorded deed restriction prohibiting short-term rental. The Town of Truckee (Truckee Municipal Code Ch. 5.02) has its own STR registration certificate and cap, separate from the County.
California law requires hosting platforms to verify or disclose liability insurance for short-term rental listings, applying uniformly across all California cities.
California Civil Code Section 841, the Good Neighbor Fence Act, presumes adjoining landowners share equal benefit and equal cost responsibility for boundary fences, applying statewide regardless of city ordinance.
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.
California Building Code under Title 24 universally requires permits and engineering for retaining walls over four feet measured from the bottom of the footing, applying statewide regardless of local variation.
The California Homemade Food Act, codified at Health and Safety Code sections 113758 and 114365, sets uniform rules for cottage food operations and bars local governments from prohibiting them in residential zones.
Health and Safety Code sections 1597.40 through 1597.465 require all California cities and counties to treat licensed family daycare homes as permitted residential uses, preempting any local prohibition or restrictive zoning.
While most home occupation rules are local, California Government Code section 65852.2 and Business and Professions Code provisions universally guarantee certain residential uses such as accessory dwelling units and licensed professional offices statewide.
California's Swimming Pool Safety Act covers above-ground pools deeper than 18 inches, requiring uniform drowning-prevention features and barriers regardless of pool type.
California Health and Safety Code sections 115920-115929 (Swimming Pool Safety Act) impose statewide minimum fencing and drowning-prevention standards for new and remodeled residential pools.
Hot tubs and spas fall under California's Swimming Pool Safety Act when capable of holding water deeper than 18 inches, requiring barriers, covers, or other approved safety features.
California's Swimming Pool Safety Act and Title 24 Building Standards Code establish uniform anti-entrapment, drain cover, and safety equipment requirements for all residential pools.
Nevada County is a participating community in the National Flood Insurance Program. Construction, fill, or placement of structures within a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area requires a use permit, and zoning establishes a 100-foot non-disturbance buffer measured from the boundary of the floodplain. FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps for most of the County were updated February 3, 2010.
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.
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 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.
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.
Civil Code 1947.12 limits annual rent increases to 5 percent plus CPI, capped at 10 percent total, on most California rental units regardless of local ordinances.
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.