Pop. 66,224 · Madera County
City of Madera Code Chapter 13 regulates fireworks in city parks and the City enforces a zero-tolerance policy on all illegal (non-'Safe & Sane') fireworks. Only State Fire Marshal-labeled 'Safe & Sane' fireworks are legal, and only on July 4. Illegal fireworks fines reach up to $50,000 plus one year in jail.
Open residential burning in the City of Madera is governed by San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (SJVAPCD) Rule 4103 plus the State Fire Marshal Title 19 rules. Residential wood stove and recreational fires are subject to wintertime curtailment ('Check Before You Burn') and total residential burn prohibitions during no-burn days.
Madera enforces the California Building / Fire Code requirements for smoke alarms in every dwelling unit and CO alarms in any dwelling with fuel-burning appliances or attached garages. Owners of rental dwellings must install and maintain detectors before the unit is rented and at change of occupancy.
City of Madera Code Chapter 3-15 (Weed Abatement Regulations) requires property owners to remove weeds, dry brush, dead vegetation, trash, junk, and debris that constitute a fire or public nuisance. The City notices owners annually and performs forced abatement at owner cost if not addressed.
Madera County adopts the California Fire Code through county code Title 14, Division II (Fire Prevention), Chapter 14.35. Under California Fire Code Section 307, recreational fires must stay 25 feet from structures and combustibles; portable outdoor fireplaces must stay 15 feet away (with a one- and two-family dwelling exception).
Recreational backyard fires follow the California Fire Code adopted in county code Title 14 (25-foot setback). Residential wood burning in fireplaces and wood stoves is separately limited by San Joaquin Valley Air District Rule 4901, including 'Check Before You Burn' no-burn days from November 1 through the end of February.
Madera County adopts the California Fire Code (county code Title 14, Ch. 14.35), whose Chapter 61 governs liquefied petroleum (LP) gas. Storage and equipment must comply with NFPA 58, larger installations need fire-code-official permits, and tanks over 2,000-gallon single or 4,000-gallon aggregate water capacity require construction documents.
Madera County's foothills and mountains lie largely in CAL FIRE's State Responsibility Area with High and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. The county adopts Fire Code/fire-zone provisions in Title 14 (Chapter 14.32 Fire Zones), and PRC 4291 defensible space plus WUI building standards apply in these areas.
Short-term rental operators in Madera are responsible for guest noise behavior under §3-11.01. Repeat noise complaints can result in business-license revocation and the Chapter 11 second-response fee being charged to the owner.
City of Madera STR operators must collect Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) on lodging stays of 30 consecutive days or less under Title VIII (Finance, Revenue, and Taxation). Properties in unincorporated Madera County fall under the County's 9% TOT plus 2.5% TBID instead.
The City of Madera does not maintain a dedicated short-term rental (STR) ordinance separate from its existing land-use and business-license framework. STR operators must obtain a City of Madera business license under Title VI Ch. 1, comply with zoning, and remit Transient Occupancy Tax under Title VIII.
Madera does not set a numeric per-STR occupancy ceiling — occupancy is governed by California Building Code (one person per 200 sq ft of habitable space) and Title VI permit conditions. Family-status discrimination is illegal under California FEHA.
Every short-term rental operator in unincorporated Madera County must apply for and obtain an Annual Transient Occupancy Registration Certificate and a business license, pay a non-transferable annual fee, and register within 30 days of starting business. A separate application is required for each rental property.
Madera County's proposed STVR Ordinance would require operators to provide adequate on-site parking for guests, a response to parking congestion in mountain communities. The specific number of required spaces had not been published while the draft was under Planning Commission review in 2026.
Madera County does not limit short-term rentals to an owner's primary residence. The County's tax framework treats all qualifying operators the same, and the proposed STVR Ordinance described occupancy, parking, noise and fire standards rather than a primary-residence restriction.
Madera County does not require a host or owner to be present during a short-term rental stay. The proposed STVR Ordinance focused on a permit plus occupancy, parking, noise, trash and fire standards, and typically relies on a responsible local contact rather than on-site owner occupancy.
Madera County has not published an annual cap on the number of nights a property can be rented short-term. Neither the tax framework nor the publicly described draft STVR Ordinance set a maximum rental-nights-per-year limit for the unincorporated county.
Madera County's publicly described short-term rental rules do not state a specific liability-insurance requirement. The draft STVR Ordinance emphasized permits, occupancy, parking, noise, trash and fire safety; any insurance or indemnification condition was not published while it was in draft in 2026.
City of Madera street parking is governed by Title V (Traffic) — vehicles may not be left on city streets for prolonged periods, must be parked in compliance with posted signs, and the standard CVC 22651(k) 72-hour rule applies. Downtown streets have posted time-limit zones.
Madera Title V (Traffic) restricts commercial vehicle parking in residential zones to active loading/unloading periods. Long-haul rigs, dump trucks, and commercial trailers may not be stored on residential streets or in residential front yards under §10-3.511.
Madera Code §10-3.511 prohibits parking trailers, boats, and motor vehicles on any portion of a front yard or corner-lot side yard except on a paved (asphalt, concrete, gravel) surface, and bars parking on lawns or landscape areas. Fines escalate from $75 to $200 to $500 for repeat offenses.
Unincorporated Madera County has no general ordinance banning overnight parking on county roads. The main limit is the 72-consecutive-hour rule: under California Vehicle Code 22651(k) a vehicle left on a highway 72-plus hours may be removed, and County Code Chapter 10.34 abates inoperative or unregistered vehicles after 72 hours.
Madera County Code Section 18.102.140 provides expedited, streamlined permitting for electric vehicle charging stations that qualify under California Government Code 65850.7. Qualifying stations follow the administrative procedures in the county's EV charging station permit-expediting ordinance rather than discretionary review.
Madera County Code Section 18.102.110 requires off-street loading spaces for commercial, industrial, and institutional development: at least one small-truck loading space for buildings under 10,000 square feet and one large-truck loading space for buildings 10,000 square feet or larger. On-street loading at curbs follows California Vehicle Code 21458 (yellow and white).
Madera County Code Chapter 10.34 declares wrecked, dismantled, inoperative, or unregistered vehicles left over 72 hours on public or private property a public nuisance, under California Vehicle Code 22660. Code Enforcement abates them via a 10-day notice of intention, optional hearing, towing, and assessment of removal costs against the property.
Madera County Code Chapter 18.102 sets residential parking and driveway standards. New single-family homes must provide two parking spaces, with covered parking required (one or both spaces depending on lot size). Parking enclosures must meet setbacks, and parking surfaces for single-family homes must be kept dust-free.
Heavy and oversized vehicles face two county limits. Zoning Code 18.102.090 bars commercial vehicles of 10,000 pounds or more from residential parcels and county roads except for loading. Code Chapter 10.08 confines trucks over three tons to designated truck routes, and Chapter 10.10 sets a 56,000-pound maximum on certain county roads.
Curb-color meanings in unincorporated Madera County are set by California Vehicle Code 21458, not a separate county color code: red means no stopping, yellow loading of freight, white loading of passengers/mail, green time-limited parking, and blue disabled parking. Only local authorities may use these colors. The county marks no-parking zones under Code Chapter 10.36.
City of Madera Code §5-1.31 restricts livestock — including chickens, goats, horses, and similar animals — to specific zones meeting minimum lot size and setback requirements. Suburban R-1 lots generally cannot keep livestock; agricultural and large-lot zones may with conditions.
Madera Code §5-1.28 prohibits any dog from running at large on any public street, road, alley, park, or other public place, or upon any private unenclosed property within the city. Dogs must be tied, restrained by a chain/strap/cord held by a person, or confined in a vehicle. A second offense within 18 months is a misdemeanor.
Madera Code Title V Ch. 1 requires a kennel license for anyone keeping more than the threshold number of dogs (typically four) at a single residential address. The kennel license adds compliance requirements beyond standard dog licensing.
Madera County Animal Services does not publish any breed-specific ban or breed-restriction ordinance for unincorporated areas. Aggressive-dog complaints are handled case by case based on a dog's behavior, not its breed. California state law (Food and Agricultural Code) also prohibits cities and counties from declaring a dog dangerous based solely on breed.
Madera County has no leash law for cats. Animal Services describes cats as "free-roaming agents" rather than strays, and asks that loose cats not be called in as strays or brought to the shelter unless they are sick or injured and need immediate care. The County runs spay/neuter programs for community cats.
Madera County's published animal rules focus on common domestic animals and livestock; the binding restrictions on exotic and wild animals come from California state law. California Code of Regulations Title 14, Section 671 (administered by CDFW) lists "restricted species" that may not be kept without a permit, and many—including ferrets—are effectively prohibited as pets.
Madera County Code Chapter 6.04 includes an Article on Livestock at Large, with Section 6.04.170 addressing restraint of errant livestock, and Chapter 6.24 governs Grazing Area. Owners are responsible for keeping cattle, horses, and other livestock from straying. Bite or injury incidents involving livestock trigger a 14-day quarantine.
Madera County Animal Services materials do not publish a specific wildlife-feeding ban for unincorporated areas. In Madera's foothills and Sierra communities, intentionally feeding wildlife such as bears, coyotes, and deer is discouraged and is regulated under California state law, which prohibits feeding big game and certain predators.
Madera County Animal Services investigates animal cruelty and neglect; warning signs include caged animals with little room, lack of weather protection, and overly tight collars. Hoarding-type neglect is prosecuted under California Penal Code Section 597, and officers can seize animals in immediate danger under Penal Code 597.1.
Madera County does not publish a dedicated backyard-beekeeping ordinance for unincorporated areas; placement is tied to the parcel's agricultural/rural zoning. Statewide, California's Food and Agricultural Code requires every apiary owner to register colonies and apiary locations annually with the county agricultural commissioner.
Madera Home Occupation Permits typically prohibit or strictly limit walk-up customer traffic to the residence to preserve the residential character of the neighborhood. Frequent customer arrivals, deliveries, or parking demand are grounds for HOP revocation.
Anyone operating a business from a residence in Madera must first obtain a Home Occupation Permit from the Planning Department, then a Business License from Finance. Home Occupation Permits inform neighbors and verify compatibility with residential zoning.
Unincorporated Madera County regulates home-based businesses through the Cottage Industry Home Occupation rules in Zoning Ordinance Chapter 18.89. A cottage industry must be clearly secondary to the residence, occupy no more than 25 percent of one floor, and sit on a lot of at least one-half acre.
A cottage industry in unincorporated Madera County may identify itself only with a small nameplate. Chapter 18.89 limits on-site advertising to a two-square-foot nameplate, and the sign rules in Chapter 18.90 cap residential-zone signs at small dimensions with no general business advertising.
Cottage food operations in unincorporated Madera County are governed by California's Cottage Food Law. A Class A operation registers with the County Environmental Health Division and a Class B operation obtains a permit after inspection, with state-set gross-sales caps of $75,000 and $150,000.
In unincorporated Madera County, family day care homes are protected by California state law. Both small and large family day care homes are a residential use by right under Health and Safety Code Section 1597.45, so the County cannot require a conditional use permit or zoning prohibition.
Madera Code Title V Chapter 6 regulates street trees in the parkway / right-of-way — including approved species, tree replacement, protection during construction, abuse of trees, and unsafe trees. The Public Works Department maintains an approved street tree list and issues permits for planting / removing trees in the public right-of-way.
Madera County has no decorative-lawn height limit, but its Weed Abatement ordinance (Code Ch. 7.26) controls tall, dry vegetation as a fire hazard in the unincorporated areas. On improved lots under three acres, owners may mow the entire lot to within one-half inch to one inch of the ground and keep it there through fire season.
Madera County does not publish a general private-property tree-removal permit ordinance for the unincorporated areas. Native oak woodlands are addressed through the County General Plan's natural-resource policies and CEQA review (Code Title 16) on development projects, rather than a numbered tree-removal code section. Removing oaks as part of a project can trigger mitigation.
Madera County Code Chapter 7.26 declares weeds in the unincorporated areas a seasonal, recurring fire and public-health nuisance. The Fire Department mails notice on or before March 1 each year, and properties must be abated by May 1. Failure to comply brings a $250 fine plus the County's abatement costs, recoverable as a special assessment.
Madera County has no published countywide landscape watering-day schedule for the unincorporated areas; outdoor water use is governed mainly by California State Water Resources Control Board rules. State regulation (Cal. Code Regs. tit. 23, § 995) permanently bans wasteful uses such as runoff onto pavement, hosing down hardscape, and irrigating within 48 hours of measurable rain.
Capturing rooftop rainwater for landscape use is broadly allowed in unincorporated Madera County. California's Rainwater Capture Act of 2012 (Water Code § 10574) lets property owners collect rooftop rainwater without a water-right permit. Rain barrels and cisterns are generally permissible; larger or plumbed systems may need County building review.
Native and drought-tolerant landscaping is encouraged in unincorporated Madera County, and California law protects a homeowner's right to install it. Government Code § 53087.7 bars counties from prohibiting drought-tolerant living-plant landscaping on residential property, and the state Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance promotes climate-adapted, low-water plants.
Madera County does not publish a countywide ban on artificial turf for the unincorporated areas. California Civil Code § 4735 protects a homeowner's right to install synthetic grass against HOA bans. Note that the state's drought-landscaping protection in Government Code § 53087.7 covers living plants, not artificial turf.
Backyard composting of yard and food scraps is allowed in unincorporated Madera County if it does not create odor or vector nuisances. Statewide, California's SB 1383 (effective January 1, 2022) requires jurisdictions to provide organic-waste collection and requires residents to keep food scraps and green waste out of the landfill.
Under Madera City Code §5-1.26, any dog (or other animal) that habitually or continually disturbs the peace of any neighborhood by barking, howling, or yelping is declared a public nuisance and may be impounded, abated, or its owner cited.
City of Madera Code §3-11.01 prohibits any unnecessary noise that is physically annoying to a person of ordinary sensitivity, or which is harsh, prolonged, unnatural or unusual in its use, time and place. Madera does not set a single hard-numbered quiet-hours window in its noise chapter — enforcement is on the 'unnecessary noise' standard at any hour, with stricter expectations at night.
The City of Madera does not publish a numeric construction-hours table; construction noise is enforced under the §3-11.01 unnecessary-noise standard plus Building Division permit conditions. Standard local practice mirrors Madera County: 7 a.m.–7 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturdays, with Sunday construction restricted to interior work.
Amplified music, DJs, and outdoor speakers in Madera are governed by §3-11.01 (unlawful noise) and Chapter 11's party-response provisions. Madera Police can cite at any hour if the sound is unreasonable, and a second response within a short period can trigger a cost-recovery fee under Chapter 11.
The City of Madera has not adopted a gas leaf-blower ban. Leaf blowers must comply with §3-11.01's unnecessary-noise standard and California's statewide AB 1346 phaseout of new gas SORE (small off-road engine) sales (effective Jan 1, 2024).
Madera County Code Section 9.58.020(C) prohibits raucous off-road vehicle noise from racing or accelerating engines, willful backfiring, and tire screeching, and Section 9.58.020(E)(1) bars the use of horns and signaling devices that disturb the peace, on top of California Vehicle Code muffler and noise standards.
Madera County's noise ordinance (Chapter 9.58) does not set numeric decibel (dBA) limits. Instead it uses a qualitative 'disturbing, excessive or offensive' standard, a 'plainly audible at 50 feet' prima facie test for amplified sound, and a measurable vibration perception threshold.
Outdoor music and events in unincorporated Madera County fall under the amplified-sound rules of Section 9.58.020(E)(2): no disturbing amplified sound, a strict 10:00 p.m.-8:00 a.m. ban across residential property lines, and a 50-foot audibility test. Section 9.58.040 specifically lets the county cite the 'host of the event.'
Madera County Code Chapter 9.58 applies to all land uses, including industrial and commercial activity, and prohibits disturbing, excessive or offensive noise and over-threshold vibration at the property line. There is no separate industrial dBA table; the right-to-farm designation is weighed for agricultural sources.
Madera County's noise ordinance (Chapter 9.58) contains no aircraft- or airport-specific noise provisions. Aircraft operations are governed by the FAA under federal law, with airport-area land-use compatibility addressed through the County Airport Land Use Commission and California state planning law.
Madera Code §10-3.506 caps fence height at 3 feet in any front or street-side yard setback and 6 feet in rear/interior side yards (exclusive of front setback). Exterior side yards allow 6 feet within 10 feet of the property line. A 6-foot fence may be approved on the street-side yard of a 50-foot corner lot in R Residential Zone with Director/Engineer approval.
Madera follows California Civil Code §841 — adjoining landowners share equally in the reasonable costs of construction, maintenance, or replacement of a 'good neighbor' boundary fence absent an agreement otherwise. A 30-day written notice must be given before invoking cost sharing.
Madera County adopts the California Building Code through County Code Title 14 (Chapters 14.04 and 14.08). Under the adopted Building Code (Section 105.2), a building permit is not required for fences 7 feet or less in height. Taller fences, and any fence in a regulated location, require review by the County.
Madera County adopts the California Building Code (County Code §14.04.030, Chapter 14.08). Under the adopted Building Code Section 105.2, retaining walls over 4 feet measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall require a permit, as does any wall supporting a surcharge regardless of height.
Beyond the general zoning location rules in Title 18, fences in rural Madera County must also satisfy state fire-clearance standards. Parcels of one acre or more in State Responsibility Areas must meet Public Resources Code 4290 setback and clearance requirements (County Code §18.98.010 and §18.98.070).
Madera County's Zoning Ordinance (Title 18) does not list prohibited fence materials or restrict barbed wire, razor wire, or electric fencing for typical residential and agricultural lots. The main material-related constraint is the vision-clearance rule (§18.98.050), which requires open, see-through fencing in intersection sight areas.
Madera County's Zoning Ordinance does not prescribe approved fence materials. Wood, vinyl, masonry, ornamental metal, chain link, and agricultural wire fencing are all commonly used in the unincorporated county. The only material-related zoning rule is the clear-vision fencing requirement near intersections (§18.98.050).
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.
Madera Code §10-3.513 allows accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on R-zoned lots that allow single-family or multifamily dwellings. ADUs must provide complete independent living facilities (kitchen, bath, sleeping). Compliant ADU applications must be approved ministerially per California Govt. Code §65852.2.
Madera County has no separate carport ordinance. A carport is an accessory structure regulated under Chapter 18.98 structure regulations and the residential development table in Chapter 18.11, so it must meet the zoning district's setbacks and the 15-foot accessory building height limit, plus a building permit under Title 14.
In unincorporated Madera County, detached sheds and accessory buildings follow the zoning district's setbacks under Chapter 18.98 and the residential development tables in Chapter 18.11. Accessory building height is capped at 15 feet in residential zones, and side/rear offsets may be reduced to 5 feet on narrow lots, but never closer than 10 feet to a dwelling.
Madera County does not have a separate garage-conversion chapter. Converting a garage into living space is treated as a building and zoning change under Title 14 and the zoning code, and converting to an accessory dwelling unit is governed by Section 18.04.153 plus California's ADU law (Gov. Code 66310-66342), which expressly protects garage-to-ADU conversions.
Madera County has no dedicated tiny-home ordinance. A tiny home on a permanent foundation is treated as a dwelling or accessory dwelling unit under the zoning code (Section 18.04.153) and California ADU law, while a tiny home on wheels is a recreational vehicle and generally cannot be used as a permanent residence outside a licensed RV or mobile home park.
In unincorporated Madera County, a residential swimming pool or spa requires a building permit from the County Building Division, which has adopted the California Building Code. Pool permits are issued as flat-fee permits through the County's online permitting portal.
Unincorporated Madera County enforces California's Pool Safety Act. A pool enclosure must be at least 60 inches high, have no bottom gap over 2 inches, reject a 4-inch sphere through any gap, and use a self-closing gate that self-latches at 60 inches or higher.
Pool safety in unincorporated Madera County is governed by California's Swimming Pool Safety Act. New residential pools must include at least two of seven approved drowning-prevention features, verified at the County building inspection, in addition to the required isolation enclosure.
Above-ground pools in unincorporated Madera County are regulated under the adopted California Building Code and the state Pool Safety Act. Pools capable of holding water deeper than a state-defined threshold need a building permit and a compliant safety barrier.
Hot tubs and spas in unincorporated Madera County follow the adopted California Building Code and Pool Safety Act. A spa with an approved safety cover meeting ASTM F1346 is exempt from the separate enclosure requirement; otherwise the 60-inch barrier rules apply.
City of Madera does not have a dedicated dark-sky / light-pollution ordinance. Outdoor lighting is regulated through general zoning under Title X — no glare onto adjoining residential properties, parking lot lighting standards in commercial zones, and Title III nuisance provisions for light trespass.
Unincorporated Madera County has not adopted a countywide dark-sky or outdoor lighting ordinance. The only codified lighting controls are sign-illumination limits in Section 18.90.150 and a shielding requirement for emergency shelters in Section 18.88. General glare is addressed case-by-case through conditional use permit findings under Chapter 18.92.
Unincorporated Madera County has no general light-trespass ordinance limiting light spilling onto neighboring property. The only codified containment requirement applies to emergency shelter lighting (Section 18.88). For other uses, glare and light spill are addressed through discretionary conditional use permit findings under Chapter 18.92.
Mobile food vendors (food trucks, taco trucks, hot dog carts, ice cream vehicles) operating in the City of Madera need a City Business License under §3-12.04, a Madera County Mobile Food Facility permit through Environmental Health, and zoning compliance for any fixed location.
California's Safe Sidewalk Vending Act (SB 946) preempts most local bans on sidewalk vending, allowing only objective health, safety, and welfare regulations.
Illegal dumping in the City of Madera violates Title V Ch. 3 (Refuse) and California Penal Code §374.3. Dumping waste, debris, or hazardous material on public or private property without owner consent can trigger up to $10,000 fines and misdemeanor charges.
Madera County does not publish a separate countywide ordinance dictating curbside cart set-out times or screening for unincorporated areas. Bin placement, set-out and retrieval are governed by the franchise hauler's service rules under Chapter 7.24, and only authorized franchise containers may be used (Article III, Impounding Unauthorized Containers).
Under California SB 1383, property owners within Madera County's designated SB 1383 compliance area must comply starting July 1, 2025. Residents in the area must subscribe to organics collection, self-haul source-separated food waste, or manage organics on-site. Residential owners cannot get a waiver; only some commercial generators qualify for de minimis or physical-space waivers.
Unincorporated Madera County uses two exclusive franchise haulers split by elevation: Red Rock Environmental Group serves the valley (below ~1,000 ft) and Emadco Disposal serves the mountains (above ~1,000 ft). Service, schedules and rates are set through these franchises under County Code Chapter 7.24, not by a separate countywide pickup-schedule ordinance.
Roll-off and bulky-waste services in unincorporated Madera County require franchise authorization under Chapter 7.24. Residents can also self-haul bulky and construction debris to the Fairmead Landfill (21739 Road 19, Chowchilla) or the North Fork Transfer Station, and free household hazardous waste drop-off is offered Saturdays at Fairmead.
Recycling services in unincorporated Madera County are provided through the franchise haulers and county facilities, with the Mammoth Material Recovery Facility at Fairmead processing recyclables. Beyond the local program, California's AB 341 (commercial) and AB 1826 (organics) recycling mandates apply to qualifying businesses and multifamily complexes.
Backyard barbecuing with small propane cylinders is generally allowed at homes in Madera County. Rules come from the adopted California Fire Code (county Title 14): keep fires/grills away from combustibles and structures, and in foothill State Responsibility Areas observe defensible space and seasonal fire restrictions.
Backyard meat smokers are generally allowed in Madera County and are not separately licensed. Wood- and charcoal-fired smokers are treated like recreational/cooking fires under the adopted California Fire Code (25-foot setback, attended, extinguisher ready). On San Joaquin Valley Air District no-burn days, solid-fuel use can be restricted.
Setbacks in unincorporated Madera County are set by zoning district in Title 18. Typical residential and agricultural zones require a 25-foot front setback, 10-foot side setback, and 20-foot rear setback (e.g., the AR-5 district per §18.53.030). Setbacks are measured from the base setback line under Chapter 18.98.
Maximum building height is set by zoning district in Title 18. Most residential and agricultural zones limit dwellings to 35 feet, with accessory buildings capped at 15 feet and agricultural buildings at 45-60 feet (e.g., AR-5 per §18.53.030). Section 18.98.100 makes the district height the binding limit.
Maximum lot coverage is set per zoning district in Title 18's development-standards tables. Agricultural zones are very low (10% in AR-5, 5% in larger ARE zones per §18.53.030), while residential zones range from about 20% in rural/mountain single-family zones up to 80-85% in urban zones (§18.11.120).
Madera County does not publish a routine tree-removal permit ordinance for private trees in the unincorporated areas. Native oak woodlands are protected at the project level through CEQA and the General Plan rather than a per-tree permit. Removing oaks as part of development can require mitigation under California Public Resources Code § 21083.4.
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 Madera County, accumulated junk, debris, dead vegetation and dry brush on residential property are treated as nuisances. Code Enforcement (200 W. 4th St., 559-675-7703) investigates complaints, and abandoned/distressed homes fall under Chapter 7.40, which requires properties be maintained to neighborhood standards.
Solid waste collection in unincorporated Madera County is provided by exclusive franchise haulers (Red Rock in the valley, Emadco in the mountains) under Chapter 7.24 of the county code. Article III of that chapter governs 'Impounding Unauthorized Containers,' so only the county's franchised carts and bins may be used for collection service.
Owners of vacant lots in unincorporated Madera County must clear weeds under Chapter 7.26. Section 7.26.030 requires a thirty-foot-wide strip cleared from each property line and street frontage. Failure to abate by the deadline can trigger a $250 fine plus county abatement costs charged to the property.
Madera County Code Chapter 7.26 declares hazardous weeds and dry grass a nuisance. On improved lots a 30-foot defensible strip must be cleared around structures; lots under three acres may instead be mowed to one-half to one inch. Owners get 15 days' notice; the fire chief may set deadlines around May 1.
Madera County does not appear to have a dedicated garage-sale or yard-sale permit ordinance for unincorporated areas. Occasional residential yard sales are generally treated as an accessory residential activity under the zoning code (Title 18), but signs are limited by the county Sign Regulations (Chapter 18.90) and sales cannot become a continuous business.
In unincorporated Madera County, residential properties may display campaign signs totaling up to 32 square feet under Zoning Code Section 18.90.110, in addition to other allowed residential signage. Signs are prohibited on public property and may not create traffic hazards. Content-based limits on political messages are also constrained by the First Amendment.
Unincorporated Madera County has no garage-sale-specific sign ordinance. Temporary yard or garage-sale signs fall under the general Chapter 18.90 sign rules: residential parcels are limited to 8 square feet total (no single sign over 4 sq ft or 6 feet tall), signs are banned on public property, and any sign creating a traffic hazard is prohibited.
Madera County's Floodplain Management Regulations are in Chapter 14.60 of the County Code, implementing FEMA NFIP requirements. The County participates in the NFIP, and the Madera County Flood Control and Water Conservation Agency (MCFCWCA), established in 1969, manages flood-control projects. Use the County GIS flood-zone viewer to check parcels.
The California Coastal Act, Public Resources Code sections 30000 through 30900, requires Coastal Development Permits for nearly all work in the coastal zone and gives the Coastal Commission appeal jurisdiction over local decisions.
California Water Code sections 13260 and 13383 implement the federal Clean Water Act through statewide MS4 NPDES permits issued by the State and Regional Water Boards, binding all municipal stormwater dischargers uniformly.
Commercial drone operations in California follow uniform federal rules under 14 CFR Part 107 plus statewide California provisions in Civil Code 1708.8 and Public Utilities Code 21401, with local rules limited to ground-based regulation.
Recreational drone flight in California is governed primarily by FAA regulations under 14 CFR Part 107 and 49 USC 44809, with state-level rules added by Civil Code 1708.8 and Government Code 853 applying uniformly statewide.
California sets a statewide minimum wage floor under Labor Code 1182.12, currently $16.50 per hour for all employers as of 2025. Local governments are not preempted and may set higher minimums; many cities exceed the state rate substantially.
California's Healthy Workplaces, Healthy Families Act under Labor Code 245-249 mandates paid sick leave for nearly all employees statewide. SB 616 (2023) raised the minimum to 40 hours or five days annually effective January 2024, applying universally.
California regulates concealed carry weapons licenses statewide under Penal Code 26150 through 26225. Senate Bill 2 (2023) imposes uniform sensitive-place restrictions and applicant standards, preempting local variations on issuance criteria and qualifications.
California preempts most local firearm regulation under Government Code 53071 and Penal Code 25605, reserving licensing, registration, and manufacture authority to the state. However, local governments retain limited authority over discharge, sensitive places, and zoning of gun businesses.
California broadly prohibits open carry of firearms statewide under Penal Code 25850 (loaded firearms in public) and Penal Code 26350 (open carry of unloaded handguns). The prohibition applies uniformly across all California cities and counties without local variation.
California prohibits carrying loaded firearms in vehicles statewide under Penal Code 25400 and 25850. Unloaded handguns transported in private vehicles must be in a locked container or the vehicle's locked trunk; long guns must be unloaded but need not be locked.
California 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.