Pop. 43,646 · Santa Barbara County
Lompoc Zoning Code Title 17 exempts one-story detached accessory structures (tool/storage sheds, playhouses) up to 120 square feet from building permits, consistent with the California Building Code. Detached accessory structures must be located on the rear half of the lot, with at least 5 feet between the main building and any accessory structure. Side and rear setbacks may be reduced for small sheds subject to a height-at-property-line formula.
California's statewide ADU law (Gov. Code §65852.2) requires Lompoc to allow accessory dwelling units on residential lots by right — detached ADUs up to 1,200 sq ft, 4-foot side/rear setbacks, no owner-occupancy requirement, and no added parking within ½ mile of transit.
Converting a garage to living space in Lompoc requires a building permit and zoning review for egress, light/ventilation and parking; converting to a separate unit is often processed as an ADU under state law.
In unincorporated Santa Barbara County, a tiny home on a permanent foundation is reviewed as an ADU or dwelling under California ADU law and the County LUDC. A tiny home on wheels (RV/park-model) is generally not allowed as a permanent residence outside approved RV/mobile-home parks.
Carports in unincorporated Santa Barbara County are accessory structures under the Land Use & Development Code. A carport (a roof supported by columns or walls) must meet the parcel zone's setback requirements, and building permits follow the California Building Code.
Construction noise in Lompoc is limited to daytime hours under the noise ordinance — typically 7 a.m.–7 p.m. weekdays with reduced weekend hours. Work outside the window is a violation; confirm exact hours with the city.
Lompoc regulates noise through its municipal code, prohibiting loud and disturbing noise with stricter nighttime limits (generally 10 p.m.–7 a.m.). California sets no statewide residential dB limit, so the city defines its own standards.
Persistent dog barking in Lompoc is enforced under the noise ordinance and animal provisions as a disturbance; chronic barking that disturbs neighbors can be cited.
Unincorporated Santa Barbara County has no ordinance banning or restricting gas-powered leaf blowers. The well-known leaf-blower ban (a 1997 ordinance) applies inside the City of Santa Barbara only. In unincorporated areas, leaf-blower use is allowed, subject to general nighttime noise limits.
County Code Sec. 40-2 prohibits loud, unreasonable amplified music broadcast outdoors at night in the unincorporated county. Loud and unreasonable sound is defined as clearly discernible 100 feet from the property line or exceeding 60 decibels at the property line. Isla Vista has added festival restrictions.
Santa Barbara County does not have its own vehicle-noise ordinance for unincorporated roads; vehicle exhaust and amplified car-sound noise are governed by the California Vehicle Code. Vehicle Code 27007 bars car stereos audible 50+ feet away, and 27150/27151 require adequate mufflers and cap modified exhaust at 95 decibels.
Santa Barbara County's only numeric noise threshold in the nighttime ordinance is in Sec. 40-2: sound is 'loud and unreasonable' if it exceeds 60 decibels at the edge of the property line, or is clearly discernible 100 feet from the property line, during protected nighttime hours.
In Isla Vista, County Code Sec. 6-70 defines 'outdoor festivals' and Sec. 6-70.01-.02 prohibit large amplified gatherings. Outdoor festivals over 250 attendees on Isla Vista residential property are prohibited at all times, and ticketed or alcohol-selling events are misdemeanors.
Santa Barbara County has no standalone industrial-noise decibel ordinance in the nighttime noise chapter. Industrial and commercial noise is controlled mainly through land-use permits, the General Plan Noise Element compatibility standards, and project conditions of approval, plus the Chapter 40 nighttime amplified-noise limit.
Aircraft noise in unincorporated Santa Barbara County is governed by federal law, not a county ordinance. The FAA controls aircraft in flight and flight paths, so the County cannot impose mandatory in-flight noise limits. The County uses noise-overlay zoning in its General Plan to guide land use near airports.
Lompoc is one of only three Santa Barbara County jurisdictions (with Santa Maria and Guadalupe) where California 'Safe and Sane' fireworks are legal. They may be used only during the permitted July 4th window; anything aerial or explosive remains illegal year-round.
Open burning in Lompoc is regulated by the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District and the fire department; residential yard-waste burning is generally prohibited and barred on no-burn days. Agricultural burns require a permit.
Recreational fires in approved fire pits using clean, dry wood are generally allowed in Lompoc subject to fire-code clearances and no-burn / red-flag day restrictions; fires must be attended and a safe distance from structures.
A small backyard recreational fire (cooking or ceremonial) is permit-exempt only if the device is 3 feet or less in diameter and 2 feet or less in height. Burning yard waste is heavily restricted: it requires a Fire Department permit, is limited to the Northern Zone, and is allowed only on permissive burn days in February, May, August, and November.
Smoke and carbon monoxide alarm requirements in unincorporated Santa Barbara County come from California law and the adopted California Residential/Building Codes, not a special county ordinance. California Health & Safety Code section 13113.7 requires smoke alarms in dwelling units, and section 17926.1 requires carbon monoxide alarms in homes with fuel-burning appliances or attached garages.
Propane (LP-gas) storage in unincorporated Santa Barbara County is governed by the adopted California Fire Code Chapter 61 and NFPA 58, not a special county rule. Storage, handling, and equipment installation must comply with Chapter 61 and NFPA 58, and on combustible balconies LP-gas containers over 2.5 pounds water capacity are prohibited (CFC 308.1.4).
Much of unincorporated Santa Barbara County lies in CAL FIRE Fire Hazard Severity Zones rated Moderate, High, or Very High. CAL FIRE released updated Local Responsibility Area maps on March 10, 2025 (the first update since 2009), and local agencies must adopt the new zones within 120 days. Designation triggers defensible space and ignition-resistant building requirements.
Santa Barbara County Fire requires defensible space clearance of not less than 100 feet around all structures (or to the property line, whichever is closer), under California Public Resources Code section 4291 and county vegetation management ordinances. County Fire conducts over 15,500 inspections a year; noncompliant owners receive a misdemeanor citation.
STR guest parking must comply with Lompoc zoning off-street parking standards; on-street parking is limited and subject to the city vehicle code.
California has no statewide STR licensing framework, so Lompoc regulates short-term rentals through its zoning and business-license requirements. Confirm whether STRs are permitted in your zone before listing.
STR guests in Lompoc are bound by the noise ordinance — loud or disturbing noise, especially at night (10 p.m.–7 a.m.), can be cited.
Short-term rentals in Lompoc are subject to the city's Transient Occupancy Tax on stays under 30 days (commonly 10–12% in CA cities). Operators must register and remit TOT.
Inland hosts must file a Land Use Permit with a Homestay Supplemental Application, Indemnification Form, and Agreement for Payment, then renew the permit annually. Every operator countywide must also obtain a Transient Occupancy Registration Certificate.
A homestay in unincorporated Santa Barbara County may use up to three bedrooms of a legal dwelling, and occupancy is capped at two persons per bedroom (up to six total), not counting minor children. No rooms other than the approved bedrooms may be used for sleeping.
In unincorporated inland Santa Barbara County, residential-zone short-term rentals must be homestays - the owner or a long-term tenant (six months or more) must live on the property long-term and be present during guest stays. Non-hosted, investor-only STRs are limited to commercial zones.
A Santa Barbara County homestay requires the host - the owner or long-term tenant - to be on the property at the same time the guests are staying. Hosting is defined by simultaneous on-site presence of the host and the transient occupants on the same lot.
Santa Barbara County's published homestay rules do not impose an annual cap on the number of nights a homestay may be rented. Stays are limited to 30 consecutive days or less to qualify as transient occupancy, but no fetched County source sets a yearly night limit.
Santa Barbara County's published homestay guidance does not list a specific liability-insurance minimum, but applicants must sign an Indemnification Form and Agreement for Payment as part of the Land Use Permit. No fetched County source sets a dollar insurance amount.
Driveway approaches in Lompoc require an encroachment permit and must meet city standards; vehicles generally must be parked on an approved paved surface, not on the lawn.
RV, trailer and boat storage on residential lots in Lompoc is regulated by zoning, which restricts placement (typically a paved area) and prohibits living in a parked RV.
On-street parking in Lompoc is governed by the city vehicle code; a vehicle left on a street more than 72 hours is deemed abandoned under CA Vehicle Code §22651 and may be cited or towed.
Parking or storing large commercial vehicles in Lompoc residential zones is restricted by zoning, with weight/length thresholds limiting what may be kept overnight at a home.
A vehicle left on a county road more than 72 hours can be removed as abandoned under California Vehicle Code 22651(k). State law (CVC 22660-22669) lets the County abate abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, or inoperative vehicles as a public nuisance, including on private property. County officers may also enforce CVC 22651 and 22658 (Ordinance 5163, Sec. 12A-26).
California Vehicle Code 22507 lets Santa Barbara County restrict parking of vehicles six feet or more in height within 100 feet of an intersection, but only where signs are posted. The County also caps buses, trucks, and tractors in residential districts at two hours unless permitted (Sec. 23-304). The 72-hour limit applies to all vehicles.
Santa Barbara County Ordinance 5163 (Sec. 12A-25) makes it unlawful to park in a designated EV charging stall in a County parking lot unless the vehicle is an electric vehicle that is actively charging. Overnight parking for EV charging at County stations is allowed (Sec. 12A-24(c)). Violations are administrative penalties, not crimes.
Santa Barbara County may establish loading zones by Board resolution and regulates truck loading zones under County Code (Sec. 23-11 and Sec. 23-305). California curb-color law (CVC 21458) marks yellow curbs for loading and white curbs for brief passenger loading. Loading zones are for active loading or unloading, not general parking, and apply where signs or markings are posted.
Curb colors in unincorporated Santa Barbara County follow California Vehicle Code 21458: red means no stopping, yellow is loading only, white is brief passenger loading, green is time-limited parking, and blue is disabled parking. Only the County installs regulatory curb markings; residents may not paint curbs to reserve street parking. In County lots, red curbs mark no-parking zones (Ord. 5163).
Unincorporated Santa Barbara County has no blanket overnight ban on residential roads; the limit is the 72-hour rule. The County may post county highways as no-parking between 1:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. by resolution (Sec. 23-11). In County off-street lots, parking is banned from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. unless part of the Safe Parking Program (Ordinance 5163).
A building/zoning permit is generally required in Lompoc for fences over 6 feet or masonry/retaining walls; pool barrier fences must meet the California Building Code. Standard residential fences at the height limit may be permit-exempt.
Lompoc zoning typically allows fences up to 6 feet in side and rear yards and 3–4 feet in front yards, with corner sight-visibility limits. Taller fences require a permit or variance.
Shared boundary fences in California are governed by the Good Neighbor Fence Act (CA Civil Code §841), presuming adjoining owners share the cost equally after 30 days' notice. Spite fences over 10 feet are a private nuisance (§841.4).
Lompoc zoning permits standard residential fence materials (wood, vinyl, masonry, ornamental metal, chain link). Barbed wire, razor wire and electric fencing are generally restricted in residential zones.
In unincorporated Santa Barbara County, a retaining wall that retains earth only and is not over four feet (footing to top) and needs no grading permit is exempt from a Coastal Development or Land Use Permit, unless it is near a coastal bluff, beach or sensitive habitat. Statewide, retaining walls over 4 feet need a building permit.
Fences in unincorporated Santa Barbara County must comply with LUDC Section 35.30.070: stay within the height thresholds for their location, never exceed the underlying zone's height limit, and respect corner-lot vision-clearance. Coastal-zone fences must avoid wetlands, beaches, sensitive habitat and bluffs, and pools require their own safety barriers under state law.
Santa Barbara County's LUDC Section 35.30.070 regulates fences by height and location rather than by a general list of banned materials. It does not set a countywide ban on barbed wire or chain link. Scenic, hillside and coastal overlays, however, require retaining walls and fence-related structures to be colored and textured to blend with the surroundings.
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.
Lompoc requires dogs to be leashed or confined and prohibits dogs running at large; animal control enforces and may impound loose dogs. California requires dog licensing.
California restricts exotic pets through the Fish & Game Code and CDFW regulations — ferrets and hedgehogs are illegal statewide, and many wild/exotic species are prohibited. These restrictions apply in Lompoc.
California prohibits breed-specific bans, so Lompoc cannot ban a breed outright; only breed-specific spay/neuter rules are allowed. Dangerous dogs are regulated by behavior.
Beekeeping is permitted in Lompoc subject to local zoning standards on hive number, placement and setbacks. California has no statewide ban; hives must be registered with the county agricultural commissioner.
In unincorporated Santa Barbara County, livestock is regulated by lot size and zone under Land Use & Development Code Section 35.42.060. In residential and agricultural zones, large hoofed animals such as cattle, horses, and llamas are generally allowed at one animal per 20,000 square feet, and large-animal enclosures must meet setbacks from dwellings and property lines.
Santa Barbara County does not require cats to be licensed — cat licensing through County Animal Services is voluntary. Cats are not subject to a leash law, but the general animal-keeping, nuisance, and cruelty standards in County Code Chapter 7 and California law still apply to cat owners in unincorporated areas.
We found no Santa Barbara County ordinance that specifically bans feeding wildlife in unincorporated areas. Feeding wild animals is instead controlled by California law: Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations (Title 14 CCR §251.1) treat intentional feeding that draws big-game mammals as prohibited harassment, and state law bans feeding big-game mammals.
Santa Barbara County does not have a standalone animal-hoarding ordinance. Hoarding and neglect are addressed through County Code Chapter 7 nuisance and impound authority combined with California Penal Code Section 597 (cruelty) and Section 597.1 (neglect), which let officers seize animals deprived of proper food, water, shelter, or veterinary care.
In unincorporated Santa Barbara County, chickens and poultry are regulated as "small non-hoofed animals" under the County Land Use & Development Code Section 35.42.060. Hens are generally allowed in residential and agricultural zones without numeric caps, but roosters and peacocks are restricted, and enclosures must sit at least 25 feet from a dwelling on another lot.
In unincorporated Santa Barbara County, Land Use & Development Code Section 35.42.060.F.1 limits households to no more than three dogs per lot as an accessory residential use. County Code Chapter 7 defines a kennel as a premises where four or more dogs four months or older are kept, which requires a kennel use permit.
Owners maintain trees on their own property in Lompoc; street trees and trees in the public right-of-way are managed by the city, which requires approval before pruning or removing them.
Lompoc enforces a property-maintenance/weed-abatement code requiring owners to control overgrown grass, weeds and vegetation as a fire and nuisance hazard. Violations can lead to abatement and a cost lien.
Owners may remove trees on private property in Lompoc; removal of street trees or protected trees requires city approval, and replacement may be required during development.
Outdoor watering in Lompoc is subject to the city water department's conservation rules, including assigned watering days/times and runoff prohibitions during drought. California's MWELO applies to larger new/renovated landscapes.
Rooftop rainwater harvesting is broadly allowed in unincorporated Santa Barbara County. No County ordinance prohibits rain barrels, which are exempt from permitting under California's Rainwater Capture Act, while larger cistern and conveyance systems must meet California Plumbing Code standards.
Santa Barbara County encourages native and low-water-use plants and incentivizes them through rebates, but does not mandate native planting on existing private yards. Through the State Model WELO, qualifying new and rehabilitated landscapes must meet water-budget limits that favor low-water and native species.
Under California's SB 1383, unincorporated Santa Barbara County residents must divert organic waste from the trash. Backyard composting is allowed and actively encouraged as an alternative, and the County offers discounted compost bins, workshops and free guidance through its Resource Recovery program.
Santa Barbara County has no specific ordinance banning or broadly permitting synthetic lawn. Artificial turf is treated through the building, zoning and fire codes: in wildfire defensible-space Zone 0 (the first 5 feet around a structure) combustible landscape materials are prohibited, so non-combustible products are favored there.
Unincorporated Santa Barbara County enforces a fire-hazard weed-abatement program. Under County Code Chapter 15 (Fire Code Section 4911) the fire chief can declare a parcel a fire hazard and order combustible weeds, brush and growth cleared, with non-compliance handled by County abatement and tax-roll cost recovery.
Home occupations in Lompoc are permitted as an accessory use under zoning with a home-occupation permit/business license, subject to conditions keeping the business subordinate to the residence.
Home occupations in Lompoc must not generate traffic, parking demand or deliveries beyond what is normal for a residence; significant customer visits can disqualify the use.
Home-occupation signage in Lompoc is tightly limited by the zoning sign rules — typically a single small, non-illuminated sign, if any, in residential zones.
Most home occupations in unincorporated Santa Barbara County require a Land Use Permit (or a Coastal Development Permit in the Coastal Zone) under Land Use & Development Code Section 35.42.190, plus a recorded Notice to Property Owner. Office-only businesses that serve no clients on-site may be exempt.
Cottage food operations in unincorporated Santa Barbara County must register or permit with County Environmental Health Services under California's Cottage Food law (Health & Safety Code 113758). Class A (direct sales) self-certifies and registers; Class B (direct and indirect sales) needs an annual permit and a preopening inspection.
Under Santa Barbara County Land Use & Development Code Section 35.42.090, small and large family day care homes are treated as residential uses, consistent with California state law. Providers need a state license (or exemption) from the Department of Social Services, and large homes must keep 300 feet from another large facility.
Pools in Lompoc must be enclosed under the California Building Code and Swimming Pool Safety Act: a barrier at least 60 inches (5 feet) high with self-closing, self-latching gates, plus at least one additional drowning-prevention feature.
Above-ground pools holding more than 18 inches of water in Lompoc require a building permit and the same barrier protection as in-ground pools; ladders must be removable or secured when unattended.
Pool construction in Lompoc must meet the California Building Code and Swimming Pool Safety Act — barriers, anti-entrapment drain covers, and electrical bonding. A building permit and inspections are required.
In unincorporated Santa Barbara County, a building permit from the Planning & Development Building & Safety Division is required to construct or remodel a residential swimming pool or spa. The Building & Safety Division enforces the California Building and Residential Codes plus County amendments.
Spas and hot tubs in unincorporated Santa Barbara County are accessory structures that must keep at least five feet from any property line under the County Land Use & Development Code. State law (Health & Safety Code 115922) allows a listed safety cover to count as a drowning-prevention feature for spas.
Lompoc participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and enforces floodplain-development standards in FEMA-mapped special flood hazard areas near the Santa Ynez River. Building in a flood zone requires elevation to or above base flood elevation.
Santa Barbara County has roughly 110 miles of Pacific coastline (the Gaviota Coast, Refugio, El Capitan, Goleta, Hope Ranch coastal areas, Mesa, Mission Canyon coastal slopes, Montecito coastal, Summerland coastal, Carpinteria coastal, Rincon Point). Almost all development in the County's coastal zone requires a Coastal Development Permit (CDP) under the California Coastal Act of 1976 (California Public Resources Code Section 30000 et seq.) and the County's California Coastal Commission-certified Local Coastal Program (LCP), which consists of the Coastal Land Use Plan (CLUP) and the Coastal Zoning Ordinance / Article II Coastal Zoning. Santa Barbara County Planning and Development administers CDPs in unincorporated coastal areas, while the City of Santa Barbara and other coastal cities administer CDPs within their own boundaries. Many County CDP decisions are appealable to the California Coastal Commission.
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.
Grilling rules in unincorporated Santa Barbara County come from the adopted California Fire Code, not a special county BBQ ordinance. Charcoal grills and LP-gas grills with a container over 2.5 pounds water capacity may not be operated on combustible balconies or within 10 feet of combustible construction, except at one- and two-family dwellings or in sprinklered buildings (CFC 308.1.4).
A BBQ smoker is treated as cooking, not open burning, so it needs no burn permit in unincorporated Santa Barbara County. Under the adopted California Fire Code, a charcoal or wood smoker is an open-flame cooking device and may not be operated on a combustible multifamily balcony or within 10 feet of combustible construction (CFC 308.1.4).
Building setbacks in unincorporated Santa Barbara County are set by the zone (Article 35.2) and measured under LUDC Section 35.30.150. They vary widely - for example, R-1/E-1 front setbacks of 50 ft from road centerline and 20 ft from the right-of-way, with side and rear setbacks scaled to lot width and size. Corner-lot and interior-lot rules adjust these.
Maximum structure height in unincorporated Santa Barbara County is set by the zone and measured under LUDC Section 35.30.090. Common residential limits are 25 feet in the Coastal Zone and 35 feet inland (R-1/E-1, R-2), 35 feet in RR, and 30 feet inland for EX-1. Ridgeline/hillside development is capped at 32 feet, with limited roof-pitch and architectural exceptions.
Maximum lot coverage in unincorporated Santa Barbara County is set by zone in the LUDC's development-standards tables. Many residential zones (R-1/E-1, R-2) set no fixed coverage cap, while DR and PRD limit dwelling structures to 30% (PRD up to 50% for all structures) and SLP caps single-family lots at 60%. Setbacks effectively control building footprint.
An Oak Tree Removal Permit is required to remove protected valley or blue oaks above acreage-based thresholds in the inland rural unincorporated County, under Article IX of Chapter 35 (Deciduous Oak Tree Protection and Regeneration). Permitted removals trigger replacement planting at high ratios.
California provides statewide protections for native oak woodlands and heritage trees through CEQA review, Public Resources Code, and Forest Practice Rules that apply uniformly.
In unincorporated Santa Barbara County, accumulations of combustible waste and rubbish that the fire code official determines to be a fire hazard are prohibited on any yard, vacant lot, or open space under County Fire Code Chapter 15 (Section 304.1.1). Broader blight is addressed through the Land Use & Development Code and Code Compliance.
Unincorporated Santa Barbara County does not set a single statewide-style screening rule for residential carts, but the Land Use & Development Code (Section 35.24.050) requires trash and outdoor storage areas in commercial zones to be enclosed and screened to conceal them from public view. MarBorg carts must be removed from the roadway within 12 hours after collection.
Vacant lots in unincorporated Santa Barbara County must be kept clear of fire hazards. Under the County Fire Code (Chapter 15), combustible waste, weeds, and rubbish may not remain on a vacant lot when deemed a fire hazard (Section 304.1.1), and the Fire Hazard Abatement program (Section 4911) lets the Fire Department order abatement at the owner's expense.
Unincorporated Santa Barbara County does not set a fixed lawn-height limit. Instead, under County Fire Code Section 304.1.2, weeds, grass, and other growth that can be ignited and endanger property must be cut down and removed by the owner or occupant when determined to be a fire hazard. Defensible-space clearance applies in wildland-urban interface areas under Chapter 49.
Unincorporated Santa Barbara County does not have a dedicated countywide garage-sale permit ordinance in its Land Use & Development Code. Occasional residential yard sales are generally treated as an accessory residential activity, but sales must not become a continuing retail business, which the zoning code does not allow in residential zones.
In unincorporated Santa Barbara County, trash, recycling, and organics collection is provided through a County franchise. As of July 1, 2024, MarBorg Industries is the franchise hauler for all unincorporated zones. Residential trash is collected weekly, and carts must be at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on the collection day.
Unincorporated Santa Barbara County residents served by MarBorg receive four free bulky-item clean-ups per year, with up to five items per pickup. Items must be brought to the roadside by 6:00 a.m. on the scheduled day. Construction debris, hazardous waste, and large vessels like boats and Jacuzzis are not accepted.
In unincorporated Santa Barbara County, the franchise hauler MarBorg sets the curbside placement rules: carts must be at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on the collection day and removed from the roadway within 12 hours after collection. Backyard-service containers must stay in the same location and cannot exceed 60 pounds.
Recycling service is provided to unincorporated Santa Barbara County residents and businesses through the County franchise with MarBorg, and recycling carts are included with service. California's mandatory commercial recycling laws (AB 341) and SB 1383 require businesses and multifamily complexes to recycle; the County has had a mandatory commercial recycling program since 2003.
California SB 1383 (effective January 1, 2022) requires organic waste recycling statewide. In unincorporated Santa Barbara County, compliance varies by region: South Coast, Santa Ynez Valley, and Cuyama residents keep food scraps in the trash because the Tajiguas ReSource Center recovers organics from mixed waste, while North County (Santa Maria and Lompoc valleys) residents must put food scraps in their green carts.
The unincorporated Santa Barbara County sign code (LUDC Chapter 35.38) does not create a separate political-sign category; temporary political signs on private property are protected speech subject to general sign standards. On state highway right-of-way, California Bus. & Prof. Code 5405.3 limits political signs to 32 sq ft.
The unincorporated Santa Barbara County sign code (LUDC Chapter 35.38) has no dedicated garage-sale-sign category. Such temporary signs follow the general sign standards, must stay out of the public right-of-way, and cannot be posted on utility poles or county signs.
Under the Land Use & Development Code (Section 35.30.120), all exterior lighting in the unincorporated County must be hooded, with no unobstructed beam directed toward residential areas, and must not interfere with street traffic. The County also pursued a 2025 outdoor-lighting (dark-sky) ordinance update.
The unincorporated County's lighting rule (LUDC Section 35.30.120) directly addresses light trespass by prohibiting any unobstructed beam of exterior light from being directed toward residential-zoned or residential-developed areas, and requiring all exterior lighting to be hooded.
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.
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.
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.
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 limits annual rent increases statewide to 5% plus the local change in the cost of living, capped at 10%, under the Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (AB-1482). It also lets cities and counties enact their own stricter rent-control ordinances, subject to the limits of the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act.
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.
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.