Pop. 59,606 · Kings County
Hanford enforces the California Swimming Pool Safety Act (Health & Safety Code §§115920-115929) and the 2022 California Building Code §3109 / CRC Appendix AX, both adopted by reference in Hanford Municipal Code Title 15. Every private pool, spa, or non-portable hot tub deeper than 18 inches must be enclosed by a barrier at least 60 inches high with self-closing, self-latching gates, and new or remodeled pools must include at least two of seven approved drowning prevention features.
In unincorporated Kings County, a private residential pool is treated as an incidental/accessory use permitted by right, but a building permit from the Community Development Agency is required to construct an in-ground or fixed pool or spa. Plans are submitted through the County's online permit center.
Kings County adopts the California Swimming Pool Safety Act for private single-family pools. New or remodeled pools must include at least two of seven drowning-prevention features, such as an isolating enclosure, mesh fence, approved safety cover, exit/door alarms, or a water-entry alarm.
Above-ground pools are a permitted accessory use in unincorporated Kings County, but pool placement must respect the County's setback rule: no pool or accessory mechanical equipment within 5 feet of a property line or inside a utility easement. Larger above-ground pools generally require a building permit and state safety barriers.
Spas and hot tubs are treated like pools in unincorporated Kings County: a permitted accessory use subject to the 5-foot setback from property lines, and, when built or remodeled under permit, the California Swimming Pool Safety Act's drowning-prevention requirements apply unless the spa qualifies for an approved safety cover.
Hanford Municipal Code Title 6, Chapter 6.08 (Animal Control) requires all dogs to be kept under restraint at all times. HMC 6.08.020 makes it unlawful to permit a dog on any public street, alley, park, or place open to the public unless it is securely leashed and the leash is held continuously by a person capable of controlling the dog (or the dog is confined in a vehicle). Restraint is defined as a leash not in excess of 8 feet, a tethered lead, or a fenced enclosure. Off-leash use is allowed only at City-designated dog parks (Hidden Valley, Freedom, Redwood, and basin parks). Dogs running at large can be impounded under HMC 6.08. California Food & Agricultural Code section 30951 makes the local owner liable for impound costs. Animal control complaints: Hanford Police non-emergency (559) 585-2540.
California law (CCR Title 14 §671) prohibits keeping many exotic animals including ferrets, hedgehogs, sugar gliders, piranhas, and certain reptiles. Additionally, Hanford Municipal Code §6.08.070 prohibits keeping swine, roosters, peafowl, ostriches, ratitae birds, and livestock within city limits.
Beekeeping is PROHIBITED within Hanford city limits. Hanford Municipal Code §6.08.070 makes the keeping of bees within the city unlawful, and §6.08.080 designates bees as a public nuisance subject to abatement.
In residential areas of unincorporated Kings County, Animal Services states you may keep chickens, pigeons, quail and similar small birds — but no roosters. Larger poultry and livestock keeping depends on zoning. Agricultural-zoned land allows much more.
Unincorporated Kings County does not ban any specific dog breed. Instead, the County Code treats dogs that are vicious or potentially dangerous under California Food & Agriculture Code Sec. 31601 et seq. as a nuisance, regardless of breed.
Kings County is a major dairy, cattle and farm county, and livestock keeping in unincorporated areas is shaped by zoning. The County Code defines livestock broadly and makes it unlawful to let animals run at large; livestock running at large is separately regulated.
Unincorporated Kings County does not set a small fixed pet cap, but the County Code requires a multiple-animal (kennel) permit for anyone keeping ten or more altered dogs or cats. A kennel is defined as a place with ten or more dogs or cats over four months old.
Unincorporated Kings County requires cats to be vaccinated against rabies and to be spayed or neutered unless medically exempt. Cats are not required to be licensed like dogs, but the County's mandatory spay/neuter rule (Sec. 4-20) covers cats over four months.
Kings County's animal code does not publish a specific anti-wildlife-feeding ordinance, but feeding wild animals can create a nuisance, and California law restricts handling of wildlife. Feeding or sheltering a stray dog or cat for 30+ days makes you its legal harborer under the County Code.
Animal hoarding in unincorporated Kings County is addressed through California's animal-cruelty laws plus the County's kennel-permit and nuisance rules. Owners must provide proper food, water, shelter and care; failing to do so is a crime under California Penal Code Sec. 597.
Hanford has not adopted a short-term rental ordinance and does not impose a city-specific guest cap on STRs. Occupancy is governed by state law: California Government Code §65852.2 (limited to ADUs) requires that ADU rentals be for terms longer than 30 days, effectively barring STR use of accessory dwelling units, while general occupancy of a single-family dwelling is limited only by the federal HUD '2 + 1' guideline (two persons per bedroom plus one) commonly applied under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act and by California Building Code minimum room-area standards. Transient Occupancy Tax under Hanford Municipal Code Chapter 3.24 still applies for stays of 30 days or less.
Hanford has no dedicated short-term rental noise ordinance. Guests at vacation rentals and STRs must comply with the citywide noise rules in Hanford Municipal Code Chapter 9.10 (Loud or Annoying Noises), which prohibits yelling, shouting, music, and other disturbances between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. in or near residential areas, and at any time when noise unreasonably disturbs persons of ordinary sensitivities. A police-enforced 'plainly audible' standard applies, and a violation is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a $1,000 fine and six months in the Kings County Jail.
Hanford has no STR-specific parking requirement. Parking standards for the underlying residential use apply under Hanford Municipal Code Chapter 17.54 (Parking and Loading Standards), which requires single-family dwellings to provide one covered and one uncovered off-street parking space. Multifamily units have unit-count-based requirements and may use tandem parking for up to 50% of required spaces. STR guests parking on the street must follow standard California Vehicle Code rules, including the 72-hour street-storage limit (CVC §22651(k)).
Short-term rental operators in Hanford must collect and remit an 8% Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) on gross receipts from stays of 30 days or less. TOT is submitted to the City Finance Department quarterly. A voter measure to raise the rate to 12% was paused as of August 2025.
Hanford does not have a dedicated short-term rental permit ordinance. Operators are required to obtain a City Business License and register for Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT). No separate STR permit or cap program exists as of 2025.
Unincorporated Kings County has no STR-specific registration scheme, but the Transient Occupancy Tax ordinance requires every operator of a 'hotel' (broadly defined to include transient lodging) to register with the Tax Collector within 15 days and post a transient occupancy registration certificate. The certificate is a tax document, not a land-use permit.
Unincorporated Kings County imposes no primary-residence or owner-occupancy requirement on short-term rentals, because it has no STR ordinance. Non-owner-occupied and investor-operated rentals are not prohibited by any county STR rule; the only constraints are general zoning permissibility and Transient Occupancy Tax compliance.
Kings County does not require an on-site host or a designated local contact for short-term rentals, because it has no STR ordinance. Hosted and unhosted (whole-home) rentals are both allowed under general rules, with no mandated 24-hour responsible-person or response-time requirement for unincorporated areas.
Unincorporated Kings County sets no annual or per-booking night cap on short-term rentals, because it has no STR ordinance. The only night-based threshold in county law is the Transient Occupancy Tax line between taxable transient stays (30 days or less) and exempt long-term stays (over 30 days), not a limit on how many nights a property may be rented.
Kings County mandates no liability insurance for short-term rentals, because it has no STR ordinance. There is no county-required coverage minimum or proof-of-insurance condition for unincorporated-area rentals. Operators carry insurance voluntarily or as required by a hosting platform or lender, not by county code.
Hanford limits consecutive on-street parking to 72 hours. Vehicles parked beyond 72 hours without moving may be towed. General parking prohibitions include blocking fire hydrants, crosswalks, driveways, and parking in parkways.
Vehicles parked on public streets for more than 72 hours or that are inoperable may be declared abandoned and towed at owner's expense. Inoperable vehicles stored outdoors on private property are addressed under nuisance provisions.
RVs and trailers may park on public streets after a written police warning for up to 72 hours. After the 72-hour window, the RV cannot return within 1,000 feet for 168 hours (7 days). Violations result in citation and possible impound.
Commercial vehicles over 5 tons gross weight may not park on streets or alleys in residential zones, except for active delivery or construction service on that street. Designated truck routes are identified in §10.24.
Kings County's Code has no countywide overnight street-parking ban; most rural roads allow overnight parking. California Vehicle Code 22507.5 lets local authorities adopt 2 a.m.–6 a.m. restrictions, and CVC 22651(k) allows removal of vehicles left on a road 72+ hours.
Kings County does not have a specific County Code section banning parking across a driveway; that rule comes from California Vehicle Code 22500, which prohibits stopping in front of any public or private driveway. Driveway construction and access are regulated through County encroachment/setback standards.
Kings County imposes road weight limits on certain roads (Code sec. 23-4) and channels heavy traffic via through-highway rules, but has no blanket oversized-vehicle street ban. California Vehicle Code 22507.5 lets the County restrict 10,000+ lb commercial vehicles in residential districts.
Kings County's Code of Ordinances has no dedicated EV-charging parking ordinance. EV charging stations are permitted and reviewed through the County's building permit process under the California Building/Green Building standards, and state law (CVC 22511) governs reserved EV-charging parking spaces.
Kings County defines loading-zone curb colors in Code sec. 23-35: yellow allows stopping only to load/unload passengers or freight for up to 30 minutes, and white allows passenger loading for up to 10 minutes. Off-street loading for development is set by the County Development Code (Article 13).
Kings County Code sec. 23-35 sets the official curb-color legend: red = no stopping/standing/parking; yellow = loading only, 30-minute max; white = passenger loading, 10-minute max; green = 10-minute time-limited parking. Markings are placed by Board order (sec. 23-34) and take effect only once posted.
Recreational fire pits in Hanford must comply with SJVAPCD regulations. Enclosed, commercially manufactured fire pits burning dry clean wood are generally permitted on burn days. Open burning fire pits are more restricted.
Outdoor burning in Hanford is controlled by the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (SJVAPCD). Open burning requires a permit and is prohibited on no-burn days issued by SJVAPCD.
Hanford allows only State Fire Marshal-approved 'Safe and Sane' fireworks July 1–5 (9 a.m.–11 p.m.; noon start July 1). All fireworks that explode, rise in the air, or move along the ground are illegal. First violation: $1,000 administrative citation.
Most of unincorporated Kings County is flat Central Valley agricultural land at low wildfire risk and is a Local Responsibility Area, not the State Responsibility Area covered by CAL FIRE's wildland program. CAL FIRE delivered updated Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps to the county in March 2025 for review and adoption.
Kings County Code prohibits accumulating dry weeds, brush, and other flammable waste material on property in the unincorporated area when it creates a fire hazard. The county fire chief can order owners to clear the material, and if they fail, the county can abate it and recover the cost as a lien against the property.
Backyard recreational fires are allowed in unincorporated Kings County under the adopted 2019 California Fire Code, but open burning of trash and yard waste is barred by the San Joaquin Valley Air District. Every fire must be attended at all times and fully extinguished before you leave it.
Kings County does not have its own smoke-alarm ordinance; smoke detector rules in the unincorporated area follow California state law (Health & Safety Code Section 13113.7) and the California Building/Fire Code adopted as the Kings County Fire Code. Approved smoke alarms are required in every dwelling, and landlords must keep them operable.
Propane storage in unincorporated Kings County is regulated through the 2019 California Fire Code, which the county adopted as the Kings County Fire Code, plus NFPA 58. Tanks must meet distance requirements from buildings and property lines, may not be stored indoors or below grade, and larger installations require a fire department permit.
Hanford Municipal Code Chapter 9.10 (Loud or Annoying Noises) prohibits yelling, shouting, hooting, whistling, or singing in or near residential or noise-sensitive areas — and any sound that unreasonably disturbs the quiet, comfort, or repose of reasonable persons — between 10:00 PM and 7:00 AM. Violation is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 6 months in county jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000.
Hanford regulates construction noise under HMC Chapter 9.10. While specific hour windows are not enumerated in publicly available code, construction noise that unreasonably disturbs residents is prohibited. Industry standard in Kings County is 7 a.m.–10 p.m.
Persistent barking or howling that disturbs neighbors violates Hanford's nuisance noise ordinance. Animal noise complaints are handled by the Hanford Police Department and animal control.
Kings County has no ordinance specific to leaf blowers or gas-powered yard equipment in unincorporated areas. Such noise is handled under the general nuisance standard (Sec. 15-211), and statewide CARB rules phase out new gas-powered small off-road engines.
Kings County's code has no vehicle-noise or muffler ordinance; on-road vehicle noise is governed by the California Vehicle Code, enforced by the Sheriff and CHP. Amplified sound broadcast from a vehicle does require a county permit under Chapter 8, Article II.
Kings County controls amplified sound through its noise-nuisance rule (Sec. 15-211) and a loud-party cost-recovery scheme (Secs. 15-212, 15-213). Loudspeakers mounted on vehicles also require a Board of Supervisors permit (Code Ch. 8, Art. II).
Kings County's noise ordinance sets no decibel limits; it bans noise that is unreasonably annoying or a nuisance (Sec. 15-211). Quantitative CNEL noise levels appear only in the General Plan Noise Element for land-use planning, not as an enforceable sound cap.
Outdoor music and live entertainment in unincorporated Kings County fall under the noise-nuisance rule (Sec. 15-211) and the loud-party cost-recovery scheme (Secs. 15-212 to 15-213). Larger entertainment events also require an entertainment permit under Code Ch. 15, Art. III.
Industrial and agricultural noise in unincorporated Kings County is controlled through the noise-nuisance rule (Sec. 15-211) and, for new development, the General Plan Noise Element's CNEL standards applied during land-use permitting and CEQA review rather than by a fixed decibel ordinance.
Military jet noise from NAS Lemoore is the dominant aircraft-noise source in Kings County. It is governed by the Navy's AICUZ program and federal law, not the county code. The county manages compatibility through General Plan CNEL standards and agricultural zoning around the base.
Sheds and accessory structures in Hanford are governed by zoning and building code requirements in Title 17. Structures over 120 sq ft generally require a building permit. All structures must comply with zone setback requirements.
Hanford allows ADUs by right per California Gov. Code §65852.2. Administrative Approval and Site Plan Review are required (both ministerial). Pre-approved ADU plan sets are available free of charge through the city's REAP collaboration.
Garage conversions to ADUs or JADUs in Hanford are allowed per California state law. No replacement parking may be required as a condition of approval. Building permit and ministerial Site Plan Review are required.
Carports and patio covers in unincorporated Kings County are subject to the building code adopted in Code of Ordinances Chapter 5 and to Development Code zoning setbacks. The county publishes a Standard Patio Cover handout, and open agricultural shade structures can be permit-exempt under the California Building Code.
Tiny homes on a permanent foundation are reviewed as dwellings or ADUs under the county Development Code and Chapter 5 building code; the county issues a Mobile Home Information handout. A movable tiny house can qualify as an ADU under California law (Gov. Code 66313) if it meets standards.
Hanford has no standalone heritage tree ordinance. Removal of trees in the public right-of-way requires a permit from Public Works. Trees on private property generally do not require a permit unless designated in an approved landscape plan.
Unincorporated Kings County has no general ordinance requiring permits to trim trees on private property. Pruning is largely unregulated, except that dead, diseased, or hazardous trees can be ordered cleared as a public nuisance, and trees obstructing roads or sight lines may have to be cut back.
Unincorporated Kings County has no fixed lawn-height number. Tall dry grass and weeds are regulated as a fire hazard and a property-maintenance nuisance only when they actually become hazardous or unsightly, under the County weed-abatement and public-nuisance ordinances.
Unincorporated Kings County enforces a weed-abatement ordinance (Code Ch. 10, Art. II). It is unlawful to accumulate dry grass, weeds, brush, and other flammable waste that creates a fire hazard. The Fire Chief gives a 15-day notice; if ignored, the County clears the land and bills the owner.
Day-to-day outdoor watering limits in unincorporated Kings County are driven mainly by California state rules and your local water provider, not a County landscape-watering ordinance. The State Water Board's permanent water-waste prohibitions ban hosing pavement, runoff, and watering during or just after rain.
Rainwater harvesting is legal in California and not prohibited by Kings County. Simple rain barrels and small landscape-irrigation catchment need no County permit. Larger cisterns, potable use, or plumbing connections fall under the building and plumbing codes the County enforces.
Kings County implements California's SB 1383 organic-waste law through Code Chapter 13. Most homes and businesses must use the three-container (blue/green/gray) system and keep food and green waste out of the trash. Backyard green-waste composting is allowed, and self-haul and low-population waivers exist.
Kings County does not mandate native plants and does not prohibit removing or replacing them on private land. For new permitted development, low-water and climate-appropriate plantings are encouraged through the state water-efficient landscape framework the Community Development Agency applies at plan review.
Artificial turf is not banned in unincorporated Kings County, and there is no County synthetic-lawn ordinance. Small ground-level installs generally need no permit, but drainage and setback rules apply, and permitted projects may have to count turf toward landscape standards reviewed by the Community Development Agency.
Hanford's zoning code (Title 17, §§17.50.110–17.50.120) governs fence and wall heights. Block walls at least 7 feet are required at residential-commercial property line interfaces. Standard residential fence heights follow Title 17 development standards.
Unincorporated Kings County does not require a zoning permit for a typical fence, and the adopted California Building Code exempts fences up to seven feet from a building permit. Any fence, wall or gate over seven feet is a structure that requires a building permit before construction. Pool-enclosure and electric-gate work also trigger permits.
Kings County's Development Code does not assign cost-sharing for shared boundary fences. That issue is governed by California's statewide Good Neighbor Fence Act (Civil Code Section 841), which presumes adjoining owners share equally in the cost of a dividing fence and requires 30 days' written notice before one neighbor seeks contribution from the other.
Kings County's Development Code lets retaining walls (with fences, hedges, gates, walks and driveways) occupy any required yard, subject to district limits. The adopted California Building Code exempts retaining walls up to four feet (footing to top) from a building permit, unless the wall supports a surcharge or impounds certain liquids.
Kings County fence rules center on clear sight lines and gates set back from the road. Solid fences in R-1/RM zones may reach seven feet if set back ten feet from the front line; manual entry gates must sit 20 feet back; pool barriers must meet state law; and nothing over three feet may stand in a visibility triangle.
Kings County's Development Code does not ban specific fence materials. Instead it classifies fences by openness - Open (at least 50% see-through), Solid (51% or more closed) and Screened (90% or more closed) - and applies those categories to front-yard and visibility rules. Where screening is required, a solid fence, masonry wall or compact plant growth is specified.
There is no County list of approved fence materials in unincorporated Kings County. Wood, chain link, vinyl, masonry and wrought iron are all acceptable; the rules that matter are openness category, height and visibility. A slatted chain-link or vine-covered fence can satisfy the Code's 'screened fence' standard where screening is required.
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.
Unincorporated Kings County allows home-based businesses through tiered home occupations. Minor home occupations are permitted by right in residential and agricultural districts; rural home occupations need Site Plan Review; and some uses (like barber/beauty shops) require a conditional use permit. Standards are in Development Code Article 11, Section 1102.
Signage for a minor home occupation in unincorporated Kings County is tightly limited: only one name plate not exceeding two square feet is allowed. Rural home occupations may have larger signs - aggregate sign area up to 50 square feet, with no single sign over 30 square feet - under Development Code Article 11.
A minor home occupation in unincorporated Kings County is permitted by right and does not need a discretionary permit if it meets the standards of Development Code Section 1102.A. A rural home occupation requires Site Plan Review, and certain uses such as barber/beauty shops require a conditional use permit.
Kings County's Development Code does not separately regulate cottage food. California's Homemade Food Act (Health & Safety Code 113758) controls: the County may not prohibit a cottage food operation in a residence and must treat it as a permitted use or grant a nondiscretionary permit. Operators register or permit through Kings County Environmental Health.
Small family day care homes (8 or fewer children) are permitted by right in residential districts of unincorporated Kings County, consistent with state law. Large family day care homes (9-14 children) require Site Plan Review under Development Code Section 1117, must be operated by a full-time resident, and may operate only 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays.
California Civil Code §714 (Solar Rights Act) prohibits HOAs from prohibiting or significantly restricting solar panel installation. HOAs may require reasonable aesthetic conditions but cannot impose restrictions that increase cost by more than $1,000 or reduce efficiency by more than 10%.
Solar panel installations in Hanford require a building permit from the Hanford Building Division. Under California law (SB 520 / SB 700), permit processing for residential solar must be streamlined and completed within 3 business days.
California Proposition 64 allows adults 21+ to cultivate up to 6 cannabis plants at home. Hanford may have local restrictions on outdoor cultivation. Plants must not be visible from a public place and must be in a locked area. Check with Hanford Planning for current local rules.
Cannabis retail dispensaries are subject to Hanford's zoning and business licensing regulations. Local approval is required in addition to state licensing. Check with Community Development for current zoning districts where dispensaries are permitted.
California AB 1482 requires just cause for eviction of tenants in covered residential rental properties after 12 months of tenancy. Hanford has no additional local just-cause eviction ordinance beyond state law.
Hanford does not have a local rent control ordinance. California AB 1482 (Tenant Protection Act of 2019) provides statewide rent increase limits of 5% + local CPI (max 10%) for certain residential properties. Many single-family homes and condos are exempt.
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 holidays), and lease violations require a 3-day notice to cure or quit. No-fault terminations of covered tenancies require 30, 60, or 90 days. Self-help lockouts are illegal.
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, water, electricity, and sanitation. If repairs fail after notice, a tenant may repair and deduct up to one month's rent under § 1942 or withhold rent.
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 notice (24 hours is presumed reasonable) and may enter only during normal business hours, for specific permitted reasons such as repairs, inspections, or showings.
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 valid only if it reasonably estimates the landlord's actual loss from late payment; arbitrary penalty fees are unenforceable.
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, under Civ. Code § 1946.1. AB 1482 requires just cause after 12 months; military and DV tenants may exit early.
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% need 90 days' notice. AB 1482 separately caps yearly increases on covered units.
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 deductions, must be returned with an itemized statement within 21 days after move-out, or the landlord risks penalties of up to twice the deposit.
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 squatter or trespasser who has not paid taxes gains no ownership and can be removed by unlawful detainer, ejectment, or a police trespass action.
Political signs in Hanford are protected by the First Amendment and California Elections Code §19383. Local sign regulations cannot prohibit political signs on private property during election periods, but reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions may apply.
Garage sale signs in Hanford must not be posted on public utility poles, traffic signs, or in the public right-of-way. Signs on private property with owner permission are generally allowed. Signs must be removed promptly after the sale.
Parts of Hanford near the Kings River and agricultural drainage channels fall within FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA). Properties in flood zones require flood insurance if carrying a federally backed mortgage and must meet floodplain management requirements.
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.
Vacant lots in Hanford must be kept clear of weeds, dry grass, and refuse. Weed abatement is enforced during fire season. Owners who fail to abate violations may have the city perform the work and be billed for the cost as a lien.
Hanford residents must place trash and recycling containers at the curb on designated collection day and return them to storage by the following day. Containers may not obstruct pedestrian access, driveways, or traffic sight lines.
Hanford enforces property maintenance standards under its nuisance code (Title 8). Blighting conditions — including abandoned vehicles, overgrown vegetation, accumulated debris, and deteriorated structures — are subject to abatement orders.
Kings County does not publish a fixed lawn-height number. Weeds and dry grass are regulated as a fire and nuisance issue: the Fire Marshal addresses hazardous/combustible vegetation under the fire-prevention chapter, and overgrowth that harbors pests or rubbish is abated as a public nuisance by Code Compliance.
We could not verify a dedicated Kings County garage-sale permit ordinance. Occasional yard sales are generally treated as a temporary residential use under the County Development Code, with such activities addressed in Article 11 (Standards for Specific Land Uses and Activities) of the zoning ordinance.
Using a backyard wood, pellet, or charcoal smoker for cooking is allowed in unincorporated Kings County. Cooking is not treated as open burning by the San Joaquin Valley Air District, but the adopted California Fire Code's open-flame cooking-device rules and the county's unattended-fire prohibition still apply.
Barbecuing with charcoal or propane is allowed in unincorporated Kings County. Gas and propane cooking devices are exempt from the San Joaquin Valley Air District's wood-burning no-burn rules, but the adopted California Fire Code limits open-flame cooking devices near combustible construction on multi-family balconies.
Setbacks in unincorporated Kings County are set by zone in the Development Code. In agricultural zones (Article 4), occupied structures need a 50-foot front setback, 10-foot rear and interior side, and 20-foot corner side. In residential zones (Article 5, Table 5-2) the R-1 front setback is 25 feet with 5-foot side yards and a 10-foot rear yard.
Residential structures in unincorporated Kings County are limited to 30 feet (up to 50 feet with a Conditional Use Permit) under Table 5-2. Agricultural uses and accessory structures have no general height limit, though wind-energy towers are capped at 80 feet on 1-5 acre parcels and 100 feet on larger parcels.
Lot coverage in unincorporated Kings County varies by zone. Residential Table 5-2 caps coverage at 40% in the RR and R-1 zones, rising to 50-70% in the RM multi-family zones (83.3% for the R-1-3 Kettleman City zone). Agricultural zones (Table 4-3) place no limit on the area that may be covered by structures.
Unincorporated Kings County has no tree-removal permit program. There is no heritage- or protected-tree ordinance for private property, so a County permit is generally not needed to remove a tree. Permitted development projects and state wildlife laws are the main qualifications.
California provides statewide protections for native oak woodlands and heritage trees through CEQA review, Public Resources Code, and Forest Practice Rules that apply uniformly.
Mid Valley Disposal provides residential trash, recycling and organics collection across unincorporated Kings County. Containers must be curbside by 6:00 a.m.; routes run 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Six holidays push that week's collection one day later. Disposal is handled through the Kings Waste & Recycling Authority.
Mid Valley Disposal requires unincorporated Kings County residents to place carts curbside by 6:00 a.m., set at least 3 feet apart, with lids closed and clear of parked vehicles and obstructions so the automated truck arm can reach each container.
Mid Valley Disposal offers on-request bulky-item collection for unincorporated Kings County residents, covering old appliances, couches, mattresses, electronic waste and tires, arranged as a temporary service through the hauler. Residents may also self-haul to the Kings Waste & Recycling Authority facility.
Unincorporated Kings County residents receive a recycling cart from Mid Valley Disposal for commingled paper, cardboard, cans, glass and plastics #1, #2 and #5. Recycling is mandatory under California's AB 341 and SB 1383 framework, and the County is part of the Kings Waste & Recycling Authority.
California SB 1383 requires organics separation statewide. Kings County confirms that for unincorporated areas, subscribing to organics/recycling collection is mandatory unless the County's Environmental Health Division grants an exemption. Mid Valley Disposal's green organics cart takes yard waste plus food scraps and food-soiled paper.
Outdoor lighting standards for unincorporated Kings County are set in the county Development Code, including its overlay-zone provisions (Article 10), rather than in the general Code of Ordinances. No separate dark-sky lighting chapter appears in the county's codified ordinances.
Light trespass (light spilling onto neighboring property) in unincorporated Kings County is addressed through the county Development Code's lighting and glare standards rather than the general Code of Ordinances. Persistent glare may also be pursued as a private nuisance under California law.
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 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 law (Civil Code sections 5650-5740) caps fees and interest and imposes strict notice steps and a delinquency threshold before any foreclosure may proceed.
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 mandate secret-ballot elections with independent inspectors, and sections 5200-5240 give members broad rights to inspect association records.
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 5900-5965 require internal dispute resolution plus an attempt at alternative dispute resolution before most enforcement lawsuits can be filed.
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 and a hearing before any monetary penalty, and section 5725 bars fines from becoming a foreclosable lien on the home.
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 displays, drought-tolerant landscaping, EV charging stations, and most noncommercial signs, even where local city rules are silent.
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.
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.
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.