Moving to Brentwood, CA?

Amplified music audible beyond the property line after 10:00 PM is prohibited in Brentwood under BMC Chapter 9.32. Outdoor events with amplified sound require a Special Event Permit from the city, and commercial venues in the downtown area operate under conditional use permit noise limits.

Brentwood's quiet hours run from 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM on weekdays and Saturdays, and 10:00 PM to 8:00 AM on Sundays and holidays. During these hours, amplified sound, power tools, and other loud activity audible at the property line is prohibited under BMC Chapter 9.32.

Vehicle noise in Brentwood is regulated primarily through California Vehicle Code §27150 (adequate muffler) and §23130 (decibel limits), enforced by Brentwood Police. Modified exhaust, engine revving, and audio systems audible at 50 feet can result in citations and fix-it tickets.

Powered lawn and gardening equipment in Brentwood may be operated from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM on weekdays and Saturdays, and from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Sundays and holidays. Electric and battery-powered equipment must still comply with these hours under BMC Chapter 9.32.

Construction activity in Brentwood is permitted Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM and Saturdays from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Construction is prohibited on Sundays and federal holidays. Interior work that produces no audible noise at the property line may be allowed outside these hours.

Barking dogs fall under the Contra Costa County Noisy Animal Ordinance (Code §416-12.202). Noise for 30 continuous minutes or 60 minutes intermittently in 24 hours constitutes a violation.

Brentwood imposes a 10 percent Transient Occupancy Tax on the rent paid by guests for stays of fewer than 30 consecutive days under Municipal Code Chapter 3.28. Operators must register, collect TOT from each guest, and remit the tax to the Finance Department on a regular schedule. Failure to collect or remit TOT results in penalties, interest, and liability for the tax itself.

Short-term rental guests in Brentwood must follow the same parking rules as any other residents. On-site parking should accommodate guest vehicles to avoid impacts on neighbors. California Vehicle Code 22651(k) allows towing of vehicles parked on public streets for more than 72 consecutive hours, and Brentwood's overnight and oversized vehicle rules apply to guest vehicles.

Brentwood applies standard residential occupancy limits to short-term rentals. California Building Code and the Uniform Housing Code generally support a 2-persons-per-bedroom-plus-1 guideline as reasonable. Operators must also comply with fire and life-safety egress requirements, parking capacity, and any HOA occupancy limits in CC&Rs.

Short-term rentals of under 30 consecutive days in Brentwood are subject to the City's Transient Occupancy Tax registration and business license requirements. Operators must register with the Finance Department, obtain a TOT certificate, and collect and remit the 10 percent Transient Occupancy Tax monthly. Operators should also check their zoning district and any HOA CC&Rs before listing.

Brentwood prohibits short-term rentals citywide under Municipal Code Chapter 17.796 (Ord. 1079, adopted Dec 10, 2024), so STR-specific noise rules do not apply. Any rental of 30 days or fewer is unlawful, leaving Brentwood's general noise ordinance to govern occupant conduct at long-term rentals.

Brentwood does not impose STR liability insurance minimums because the city prohibits short-term rentals entirely under BMC Chapter 17.796 (Ord. 1079, Dec 10, 2024). There is no permit or registration that an insurance certificate could attach to.

Short-term rentals are PROHIBITED in Brentwood. The City Council adopted a citywide STR ban in November 2024 (Chapter 17.796). It is unlawful to advertise, list, or rent any property for 30 days or fewer. No permit or registration is available.

Brentwood is one of the few Contra Costa cities that allows State Fire Marshal approved "Safe and Sane" fireworks. Sales and discharge are permitted only from noon June 28 through 10 PM July 4, and only from licensed nonprofit stands. All aerial, explosive, or out-of-state fireworks remain illegal under Health & Safety Code Section 12500 et seq.

California Public Resources Code Section 4291 requires 100 feet of defensible space around structures in State Responsibility Areas and in any CAL FIRE mapped fire hazard severity zone. Portions of eastern Brentwood abutting Mount Diablo foothills and Marsh Creek are mapped, and ECCFPD inspects compliance before fire season each year.

Open burning is prohibited in Brentwood year-round. The East Contra Costa Fire Protection District (ECCFPD) enforces no-burn rules, and BAAQMD Regulation 5 further restricts outdoor combustion. Agricultural burning requires a CAL FIRE permit and a BAAQMD burn-day authorization, and residential yard-waste burning is not permitted.

California Health & Safety Code Section 13113.7 and Title 24 require working smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside sleeping areas, and on each floor of all Brentwood dwellings. Units built or substantially remodeled since 2015 must have 10-year sealed lithium battery or hardwired interconnected alarms. Carbon monoxide alarms are also mandatory under SB 183.

Residential fire pits must comply with California fire code and BAAQMD regulations. Gas and propane fire pits are generally preferred over wood-burning due to air quality restrictions. Must maintain clearance from structures.

Brentwood restricts overnight parking of commercial vehicles exceeding 10,000 lbs gross vehicle weight rating in residential zones. Box trucks, semi-trailers, dump trucks, and similar heavy vehicles cannot be stored on residential streets or driveways except for active loading, unloading, or service calls.

Brentwood enforces a 72-hour maximum continuous street parking limit consistent with California Vehicle Code §22651(k), along with posted street sweeping restrictions and permit-only zones in certain neighborhoods. Vehicles must be moved at least one-tenth of a mile after 72 hours or they may be cited and towed.

Brentwood prohibits long-term RV, boat, trailer, and oversized vehicle parking on public streets and restricts front-yard storage on private residential property. RVs may generally be stored behind the front-yard setback and screened from view, and on-street loading is limited to short durations for loading/unloading.

Brentwood fences are limited to 3.5 feet in front yards and 6 feet in side and rear yards. Fences over 6 feet require a building permit and may need a zoning variance. Corner lots have additional visibility triangle restrictions to protect sight lines at intersections.

Hedges and landscaping used as boundary barriers in Brentwood are subject to the same height limits as fences (3.5 ft front, 6 ft side/rear) when used to enclose a yard. Hedges must not encroach into the public right-of-way, block sidewalks, or obscure sight lines at intersections.

Retaining walls in Brentwood up to 4 feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall generally do not require a building permit if they do not support a surcharge (driveway, slope, or structure). Walls over 4 feet or supporting a surcharge require a building permit with engineered drawings.

Brentwood pool barriers must comply with California Health & Safety Code §115920-115929 and the California Building Code. Requirements include a 60-inch minimum barrier, self-closing/self-latching gates, no climbable features, and at least two additional safety features for pools built after 2007.

Brentwood permits a wide range of fence materials including wood, vinyl, wrought iron, masonry, and chain link, subject to zoning and HOA restrictions. Barbed wire, razor wire, and electrified fencing are prohibited in residential zones. Many HOAs in master-planned communities like Brentwood Hills and Trilogy impose material-specific requirements.

Brentwood's agricultural heritage is reflected in the Municipal Code: livestock including horses, cattle, sheep, and goats are permitted on parcels zoned A (Agricultural) and in residential zones meeting minimum lot size and setback requirements. Right-to-Farm protections under California Civil Code §3482.5 apply to established ag operations.

Brentwood residential properties are typically limited to 3-4 dogs and similar numbers of cats per household under BMC Chapter 6.04 and Contra Costa County Code. Exceeding the limit requires a kennel permit. Agricultural-zoned parcels generally have no pet-number limits.

Beekeeping is permitted in Brentwood on agricultural and most residential lots, with hive setback requirements from property lines and registration with the Contra Costa County Agricultural Commissioner under California Food & Ag Code §29040. Brentwood's orchard agriculture makes beekeeping especially compatible.

California bans most exotic pets statewide under Title 14 CCR §671, which preempts local ordinances. Prohibited species include ferrets, hedgehogs, sugar gliders, monkeys, large constrictors, and most wild species. Brentwood enforces these state restrictions through Contra Costa Animal Services.

Backyard chickens are permitted in Brentwood on most residential lots, with limits commonly of 4-6 hens, no roosters, and coop setbacks from neighboring structures. Agricultural-zoned parcels have no hen limit. Under BMC Title 17, coops must be kept sanitary and meet setback requirements from property lines.

Brentwood enforces Contra Costa County's behavior-based dangerous and vicious dog ordinance through Animal Services. Any dog that bites, attacks, or threatens a person or animal can be declared Potentially Dangerous or Vicious, triggering mandatory containment, muzzle, insurance, and microchip requirements. California law preempts breed-specific bans.

All dogs in Brentwood over 4 months old must be licensed through Contra Costa Animal Services and wear a current rabies tag. Dogs must be leashed in all public areas except designated off-leash areas, under BMC Chapter 6.04 and Contra Costa County Code Title 4.

Wildlife in Brentwood (deer, coyotes, turkeys, raccoons, hawks, and mountain lions in nearby Los Vaqueros Watershed) is protected under state law and managed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Feeding wildlife is prohibited, and most species cannot be trapped or relocated without a CDFW depredation permit.

California law strongly encourages drought-tolerant landscaping in Brentwood. HOAs cannot prohibit low-water landscaping under Civil Code Section 4735, and the state's MWELO requires water-efficient design for new and retrofit landscapes exceeding 500 square feet. Rebates are available through Contra Costa Water District partners for turf removal.

Brentwood residents are served by the city's water utility and the East Contra Costa Irrigation District for agricultural users. Permanent statewide water waste rules from the State Water Resources Control Board prohibit runoff, hosing hard surfaces, and watering within 48 hours of rain. Assigned outdoor watering days typically limit irrigation to two or three days per week.

Brentwood Municipal Code declares vegetation over 6 inches a public nuisance when it creates a fire hazard or harbors vermin. Weed abatement notices are issued each spring, and uncured violations allow the city or ECCFPD to mow at the owner's expense with lien authority under California Government Code Sections 39560-39588.

Contra Costa County Agricultural Commissioner maintains the noxious weed list under California Food and Agricultural Code Section 5004. Brentwood property owners must control listed species including yellow starthistle, artichoke thistle, and puncturevine, and the county may enter and abate infestations at the owner's expense.

Brentwood regulates removal of protected and heritage trees, including most native oaks and trees over a threshold trunk diameter on developed residential parcels. A tree removal permit from Community Development is required unless the tree is dead, diseased, or poses imminent hazard, in which case photographic documentation is still required.

Brentwood home occupation rules prohibit any exterior signage advertising a home-based business. The residence must retain its residential character, meaning no signs, lighted displays, window graphics, or merchandise visible from the street or adjacent properties. Violations are typically cited under the zoning code with administrative fines.

Customer visits to Brentwood home-based businesses are strictly limited to preserve residential character. Most home occupation permits allow only by-appointment visits with no more than one or two clients on the property at a time and no visible retail activity. Walk-in traffic and regular client group sessions are prohibited.

Brentwood requires a Home Occupation Permit and city business license for any business operated from a residence. The home business must be clearly incidental to the residential use, use no more than approximately 25 percent of the dwelling, and produce no external evidence (signs, traffic, noise, odors, storage) that differs from a typical residence.

Under California Health and Safety Code Section 1597.45, small family day care homes (up to 8 children) and large family day care homes (up to 14 children) are treated as residential uses by right. Brentwood cannot require a conditional use permit, and the home must be licensed by the California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division.

Residential swimming pools and spas in Brentwood must meet California Health and Safety Code Section 115920 through 115929, which requires at least two of seven enumerated safety features. Barriers must be at least 60 inches high, have self-closing and self-latching gates opening away from the pool, and have no climbable features. Requirements are verified at building permit inspection.

All residential pools and spas in Brentwood must comply with the federal Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act and California Health and Safety Code requirements for anti-entrapment drain covers. Single main drains must be paired with a second means of preventing suction entrapment (for example, SVRS). Compliance is verified at building permit inspection and at resale.

Above-ground pools in Brentwood are regulated by the California Building Standards Code and the Swimming Pool Safety Act (Health & Safety Code 115920-115929). New or remodeled pools holding more than 18 inches of water must include at least two of seven approved drowning-prevention safety features, and a 60-inch barrier is required.

Brentwood follows the California Building Code exemption allowing detached accessory structures under 120 square feet to be built without a building permit. Sheds must still comply with zoning setbacks, height limits, and HOA rules. Structures over 120 sq ft or with utilities require a building permit and Community Development review.

Brentwood must allow Accessory Dwelling Units on any single-family lot under California Government Code Section 65852.2, as expanded by AB 68, AB 881, and SB 13. Detached ADUs up to 800 sq ft with 4-foot setbacks are ministerial approvals processed within 60 days. AB 1033 now allows selling an ADU separately from the primary home.

Brentwood garages must meet California Residential Code requirements for fire separation, including 5/8-inch Type X drywall on walls and ceilings separating the garage from living space and a self-closing, self-latching 20-minute fire-rated door. Conversion to an ADU is permitted by right under AB 68, and the city cannot require replacement parking for transit-adjacent conversions.

Illicit discharges — any release of non-stormwater materials into Brentwood's storm drain system — are prohibited under the Municipal Regional NPDES Permit and city code. Violations can trigger administrative penalties, abatement costs, and Clean Water Act enforcement.

Portions of Brentwood lie within FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs), particularly along Marsh Creek, Sand Creek, Dry Creek, and Deer Creek corridors. Development in these zones requires a floodplain development permit, elevation certificate, and compliance with the city's floodplain management ordinance.

Brentwood prohibits commercial cannabis operations including medical dispensaries under Municipal Code Chapter 17. Patients may possess medical cannabis under Proposition 215 and cultivate limited plants for personal medical use. State-licensed delivery is the only means of obtaining medical cannabis locally.

California Civil Code §714 (the Solar Rights Act) overrides HOA restrictions that would prohibit residential solar panels or make them significantly more expensive or less efficient. Brentwood HOAs must approve reasonable solar installations, and any restriction reducing system efficiency by more than 10% is void.

Brentwood issues solar photovoltaic permits under the streamlined 3-business-day turnaround mandated by CA AB 2188 and the California Solar Rights Act (Civil Code §714). Most standard residential rooftop PV systems qualify for an online expedited review.

Brentwood allows temporary garage sale signs on private property during the sale weekend only. Signs in the public right-of-way, on utility poles, or attached to street-sign posts are prohibited. Signs must be removed immediately after the sale ends.

Political signs on private property in Brentwood are treated the same as other non-commercial yard signs under the city's content-neutral sign ordinance. State law limits the city's ability to restrict election-related signage. Political signs on public property or in the right-of-way are prohibited.

Brentwood prohibits junk, wrecked, or inoperable vehicles stored in public view under Municipal Code Chapter 8.30. Vehicles must be operable, currently registered, and not in a state of major disassembly. Owners receive a 10-day notice to abate before the city tows the vehicle at the owner's expense.

Brentwood's zoning and development standards include outdoor lighting requirements aimed at minimizing light pollution and glare into neighboring properties and the night sky. Fixtures on new development must generally be full-cutoff or shielded, and light trespass onto adjacent residential lots is limited.

Brentwood's code prohibits outdoor lighting that produces excessive glare or spills onto neighboring properties at levels high enough to disturb use and enjoyment. Typical standards limit residential property-line illuminance to about 0.1 foot-candles and require shielded fixtures for bright sources.

Brentwood follows federal and California lead-paint disclosure rules for pre-1978 rental housing. Landlords must provide tenants with the EPA pamphlet and a written disclosure of known lead-based paint before lease signing. The city does not add local requirements beyond state and federal law.

California's Toxic Mold Protection Act requires Brentwood landlords to disclose known visible mold that exceeds health thresholds. Landlords must maintain rental units free of mold conditions that affect habitability under Civil Code 1941.7. Tenants can report mold problems to Contra Costa Environmental Health or Brentwood code enforcement.

Brentwood requires owners of residential rental properties to obtain a city business license (the Transient Tax/rental business license) and pay the annual tax based on the number of units rented. The city does not operate a standalone rental registration/inspection ordinance but coordinates complaints through code enforcement.

Brentwood residents must use the city-issued carts provided by Brentwood Disposal Service and keep them in good repair. Overfilled carts, bagged waste left outside carts, and damaged containers can result in non-collection. Lost or damaged carts are replaced by the hauler, typically at no charge for normal wear.

Illegal dumping in Brentwood is a misdemeanor and civil violation under Municipal Code Chapter 8.12 and California Penal Code 374.3. Fines start at 100 dollars for first offenses and escalate to thousands plus cleanup costs for commercial dumping. Cameras and license-plate readers are deployed at known dumping hotspots.

Brentwood requires single-stream recycling via the blue cart and organics via the green cart under California SB 1383. Acceptable recyclables include paper, cardboard, rigid plastics, aluminum, and glass. Contaminated loads can be rejected or result in service charges to the property owner.

Brentwood Disposal Service provides weekly curbside collection for trash, recycling, and organics throughout Brentwood. Collection days are assigned by neighborhood route, and carts must be at the curb by 6 AM on service day. Carts must be removed from public view by the end of the collection day.

Brentwood residential customers receive complimentary bulk pickups each year for items too large for the cart, such as furniture, mattresses, and appliances. Additional pickups can be scheduled for a fee. Electronics, hazardous waste, tires, and construction debris are excluded and must be taken to the appropriate facility.

California Civil Code 1708.8 makes it a civil tort to use a drone to capture images or recordings of someone in a private setting. Brentwood also enforces trespass and peeping laws against invasive drone use. Flying a drone low over a private backyard to record can result in civil and criminal liability.

Brentwood regulates where food trucks may operate through zoning and time-and-place rules consistent with SB 946 and SB 972. Trucks generally may operate on private commercial property with the owner's consent and at permitted events, with some restrictions near schools and in residential zones.

Mobile food facilities operating in Brentwood must hold a Contra Costa County Environmental Health mobile food permit, a California seller's permit, a Brentwood business license, and comply with SB 972 (2022) which streamlined street-vendor and sidewalk-vendor permits statewide. Trucks also need commissary and propane inspection documentation.

Brentwood does not maintain a municipal No Knock registry, but residents can rely on No Soliciting signs and the state Do Not Call Registry. California's Home Solicitation Sales Act gives consumers a three-day right to cancel most door-to-door contracts. Federal laws separately protect against deceptive practices.

Door-to-door commercial solicitors in Brentwood must obtain a Solicitor Permit from the Police Department and carry photo ID while soliciting. Solicitation hours are limited to 9 AM to 8 PM. Non-commercial canvassing (political, religious, charitable) is protected by the First Amendment and does not require a permit.

Brentwood enforces a juvenile curfew prohibiting minors under 18 from being in public places between 10 PM and 5 AM, with common exceptions for employment, emergencies, and accompanying adults. Violations are infractions handled through diversion or parental notification. Enforcement focuses on unsupervised gatherings.

Brentwood parks are closed from 10 PM to 6 AM under Municipal Code Chapter 12.08, and entering during closure is an infraction. Special-event permits can extend hours for approved activities. Sports fields and facilities have posted lighting-off times that generally align with curfew.

Corner lots in Brentwood have two street-facing frontages, each treated as a 'front yard' for setback and fence-height purposes. A sight-visibility triangle at the corner must be kept clear of obstructions above approximately 3 feet to preserve safe traffic visibility.

Brentwood does not require a permit for residential garage sales of personal household items. Signs must follow the yard-sign rules (private property only, removed after sale). Commercial-style sales operated as an ongoing business require a business license.

Brentwood limits residential garage sales to a small number per year (commonly three or four) of a limited duration each (often two or three consecutive days). Sales exceeding these limits are treated as a business and require a license. The limit helps preserve neighborhood character and prevent unpermitted retail.

HOA fines in Brentwood are governed by Davis-Stirling. Civil Code 5855 requires written notice and a due-process hearing before any discipline, Civil Code 5850 requires a published schedule of fines, and fines are generally not foreclosable unless they convert to a special individual assessment for damage. Excessive fines can be challenged through IDR, ADR, and the courts.

In Brentwood, many neighborhoods are governed by HOAs under the Davis-Stirling Common Interest Development Act (California Civil Code 4000 et seq.) in addition to city ordinances. HOA CC&Rs are private contracts that can impose stricter rules than Brentwood Municipal Code. When rules conflict, the stricter of the two typically controls so long as neither violates state law.

Davis-Stirling requires HOAs to offer Internal Dispute Resolution (Civil Code 5900) and Alternative Dispute Resolution (Civil Code 5925+) before most lawsuits between owners and associations. Owners have rights to inspect records, attend board meetings, and receive due process before discipline. Small claims and civil court remain available for unresolved disputes.

Brentwood requires a building permit for all roof covering replacement, re-roofing, and structural roof work per the 2022 California Building Code and California Residential Code as locally adopted. Class A fire-rated roofing materials are required citywide under CBC Chapter 7A because much of eastern Contra Costa County sits within or adjacent to Wildland-Urban Interface zones.

All Brentwood dwelling units must have working smoke alarms under California Health and Safety Code 13113.7 and 13113.8. Alarms are required inside each sleeping room, outside each sleeping area, and on every level. At sale or lease, compliance must be certified. Battery-only alarms sold after July 1, 2015 must have a non-replaceable 10-year sealed battery.

Most electrical work in Brentwood requires a permit from the Building Division under the California Electrical Code (Title 24, Part 3), which adopts NFPA 70 with California amendments. Permits are required for new circuits, service upgrades, panel replacements, and most hardwired installations. Like-for-like replacement of receptacles, switches, and fixtures typically does not require a permit.

California Health and Safety Code 17926 requires carbon monoxide alarms in all dwelling units that have a fossil fuel appliance, fireplace, or attached garage. Alarms must be installed outside each sleeping area and on every level. Brentwood enforces through Building Division inspection for permitted work and by Code Enforcement. Seller disclosure of compliance is required at sale.

Brentwood requires plumbing permits for water heater replacements, repipes, sewer lateral work, gas line modifications, and most fixture relocations under the 2022 California Plumbing Code as adopted by the city. Like-for-like fixture swaps (faucets, toilets at the same location) generally do not require a permit, but water heaters always do.