Pop. 30,218 · Monterey County
Monterey City Code Chapter 20 (Motor Vehicles and Traffic) regulates parking. Vehicles may not be parked on any city street for more than 72 consecutive hours. Section 20-85.5…
Driveway approaches in the City of Monterey 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 the City of Monterey is regulated by zoning, which restricts placement and prohibits living in a parked RV.
On-street parking in the City of Monterey is governed by the vehicle code, with extensive metered and time-limited zones downtown and near the wharf, plus 72-hour abandoned-vehicle…
Unincorporated Monterey County has no blanket oversized-vehicle street ban. The California Vehicle Code controls: Section 22507 lets local authorities restrict parking of vehicles 'six…
Monterey County reviews EV-charging installations through its building and planning permit process; the county has no special on-street EV ordinance, so EV-charging space rules follow…
Monterey County zoning requires off-street loading spaces for larger commercial and industrial buildings (Section 20.58.050(H)). On public streets, loading-zone curb colors are set by…
Curb-color meanings in unincorporated Monterey County follow California Vehicle Code Section 21458: red = no stopping/parking, yellow = freight/passenger loading, white = passenger…
Monterey County Code Chapter 12.72 (Abandoned Vehicles) makes it unlawful to leave an abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, or inoperative vehicle on private or public property more than 30…
Unincorporated Monterey County has no general overnight street-parking ban. Overnight parking on county roads is governed by the California Vehicle Code, including the 72-hour limit in…
Persistent dog barking in the City of Monterey is enforced under the noise ordinance and animal provisions as a disturbance; chronic barking that disturbs neighbors can be cited.
The City of Monterey 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…
Construction noise in the City of Monterey 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…
Unincorporated Monterey County has no stand-alone leaf-blower ordinance. Leaf blowers and other powered garden equipment are governed by the general device limit in County Code Sec…
Amplified music is the County's top noise complaint, especially at large parties in North Monterey County. Under County Code Sec. 10.60.040, nighttime amplified sound that is loud and…
Monterey County Code Chapter 10.60 uses two decibel frameworks. Sec. 10.60.030 caps noise-producing devices at a level measured 50 feet away at any time of day (originally 85 dBA; a…
Monterey County Code Chapter 10.60 does not contain a dedicated motor-vehicle noise section; on-road vehicle noise is primarily controlled by the California Vehicle Code, enforced by…
Outdoor music in unincorporated Monterey County is regulated under County Code Sec. 10.60.040, which prohibits loud and unreasonable sound during the nighttime period and caps noise at…
Industrial and stationary equipment in unincorporated Monterey County is controlled by County Code Sec. 10.60.030, which prohibits any machine producing noise above the code's cap…
Aircraft noise is not controlled by the Monterey County noise ordinance: County Code Sec. 10.60.030 expressly states its prohibition 'shall not apply to aircraft.' Aircraft operations…
Any permitted STR guests in the City of Monterey are bound by the noise ordinance — loud or disturbing noise, especially at night, can be cited.
Lawful transient lodging in the City of Monterey is subject to the city's Transient Occupancy Tax (around 10–12%) plus a tourism assessment on stays under 30 days. Operators must…
Lodging parking in the City of Monterey must comply with zoning off-street parking standards; on-street parking is limited, metered in many areas, and subject to the vehicle code.
The City of Monterey strictly limits short-term rentals; STRs are prohibited in most residential zones and allowed only under limited circumstances or in specific zones with a permit…
Every short-term rental in unincorporated Monterey County must register for a Vacation Rental Operation License and a Transient Occupancy Tax certificate. Inland operators had to apply…
Monterey County's vacation rental ordinance limits guest occupancy based on the number of bedrooms, generally about two adults per bedroom with an overall maximum for larger homes…
Monterey County does not ban non-owner-occupied rentals outright, but Homestays must be the owner's residence, and Limited and Commercial Vacation Rentals (non-hosted) face caps and…
Homestays require the owner to live on site and occupy a bedroom during stays. Non-hosted Limited and Commercial Vacation Rentals do not require host presence but must designate a…
Monterey County's Vacation Rental Operation License is established under County Code Chapter 7.120, which sets license, inspection, and operating conditions. Operators should confirm…
Monterey County defines short-term rentals as stays of 30 days or fewer. Limited Vacation Rentals may be rented whole-house up to three times per year; Commercial Vacation Rentals…
City of Monterey zoning permits standard residential fence materials (wood, vinyl, masonry, ornamental metal, chain link). Barbed wire, razor wire and electric fencing are generally…
A building/zoning permit is generally required in the City of Monterey for fences over 6 feet or masonry/retaining walls; pool barrier fences must meet the California Building Code…
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…
City of Monterey 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 and view considerations in some…
Monterey County requires a construction permit for any retaining wall 4 feet or greater in height, measured bottom of footing to top of wall, OR a retaining wall of any height that…
Fences on unincorporated Monterey County land must comply with Title 21 (inland) or Title 20 (coastal): generally no taller than 6 ft unless the accessory-structure setback is met, no…
Monterey County's building-permit exemptions distinguish fence materials: concrete/masonry fences are exempt up to 6 ft, wood/vinyl/metal up to 8 ft, and open metal up to 10 ft. Above…
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…
All fireworks — including California 'Safe and Sane' fireworks — are illegal in the City of Monterey, along with Carmel and Pacific Grove. Only professional permitted displays are…
Open burning in the City of Monterey is regulated by the Monterey Bay Air Resources District and the fire department; residential yard-waste burning is generally prohibited and barred…
Recreational fires in approved fire pits using clean, dry wood are generally allowed in the City of Monterey subject to fire-code clearances and no-burn day restrictions; beach fires…
Backyard burning of vegetation in unincorporated Monterey County is tightly controlled: it requires an MBARD burn permit, is allowed only on declared burn days during a limited winter…
Properties in unincorporated Monterey County must maintain 100 feet of defensible space around structures under California Public Resources Code 4291. The requirement applies in the…
Smoke alarm requirements in unincorporated Monterey County come from state law. California Health & Safety Code section 13113.7 requires operable smoke alarms in every dwelling unit…
Propane (LP-gas) storage in unincorporated Monterey County follows the California Fire Code (adopted via County Code Ch. 18.09) and NFPA 58. Larger stationary tanks must meet location…
About 80% of Monterey County is rated high, very high, or extreme fire threat. CAL FIRE maps Fire Hazard Severity Zones (moderate, high, very high) across the State and Local…
California prohibits breed-specific bans, so the City of Monterey cannot ban a breed outright; only breed-specific spay/neuter rules are allowed. Dangerous dogs are regulated by…
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…
The City of Monterey 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…
Beekeeping is permitted in the City of Monterey subject to local zoning standards on hive number, placement and setbacks. California has no statewide ban; hives must be registered with…
Keeping chickens in unincorporated Monterey County is governed by zoning. The County's low-density residential rules allow animal husbandry and small livestock farming on suitably…
The Salinas Valley is heavy agriculture, and livestock keeping in unincorporated Monterey County is governed by zoning. Low-density residential rules allow animal husbandry and small…
Unincorporated Monterey County does not set a flat numeric cap on pet dogs or cats per home in its animal control materials. Instead, breeding triggers kennel status: under MCC…
Cat licensing is voluntary in unincorporated Monterey County, but cats must be rabies-vaccinated by 4 months of age. A female cat in season must be confined to prevent breeding (MCC…
Unincorporated Monterey County prohibits feeding wildlife in any way, with the only exception being a bird feeder in your yard, under Monterey County Code section 8.42.012. Drivers…
Animal hoarding and neglect in unincorporated Monterey County are handled through the County's nuisance and animal-care rules plus California's cruelty law. Penal Code section 597…
Home-occupation signage in the City of Monterey is tightly limited by the zoning sign rules — typically no exterior commercial signage in residential zones.
Home occupations in the City of Monterey are permitted as an accessory use under zoning with a home-occupation permit/business license, subject to conditions keeping the business…
Home occupations in the City of Monterey must not generate traffic, parking demand or deliveries beyond what is normal for a residence; significant customer visits can disqualify the…
Monterey County does not issue a separate home occupation permit. A home-based business that meets all five standards in Section 21.64.090 / 20.64.090 is allowed by right in…
Cottage food operations in unincorporated Monterey County are allowed under California's Homemade Food Act. State law (Government Code 51035) bars the County from prohibiting them in a…
Under California SB 234, small (up to 8 children) and large (up to 14 children) family daycare homes are a residential use by right in unincorporated Monterey County. The County cannot…
Outdoor watering in the City of Monterey is subject to Monterey Peninsula Water Management District rules — among the strictest in California — including assigned watering days…
Owners maintain trees on their own property in the City of Monterey; street trees and designated heritage/significant trees are managed by the city, which requires approval before…
The City of Monterey requires a permit to remove protected or significant trees, even on private property; street-tree removal requires city approval. Replacement plantings may be…
The City of Monterey enforces a property-maintenance/weed-abatement code requiring owners to control overgrown grass, weeds and brush as a fire and nuisance hazard. Violations can lead…
Unincorporated Monterey County regulates weeds two ways: Chapter 10.46 of the County Code (Weed Control) and fire-driven hazardous-vegetation abatement under California's…
Capturing rooftop rainwater is legal in unincorporated Monterey County, governed mainly by California's Rainwater Capture Act of 2012. No state water-rights permit is needed for…
Homeowners aren't forced to plant natives, but water-efficient landscape rules push qualifying projects toward low-water, climate-appropriate plants and limit thirsty turf…
Unincorporated Monterey County has no countywide ban on artificial turf. Synthetic lawns are a water-saving option treated as a landscaping/site matter, and may need to appear on a…
Under California SB 1383, effective January 1, 2022, residents in unincorporated Monterey County must keep organic waste (food scraps, yard trimmings, food-soiled paper) out of the…
Above-ground pools holding more than 18 inches of water in the City of Monterey require a building permit and the same barrier protection as in-ground pools; ladders must be removable…
Pools in the City of Monterey 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…
Pool construction in the City of Monterey must meet the California Building Code and Swimming Pool Safety Act — barriers, anti-entrapment drain covers, and electrical bonding. A…
Building a swimming pool, spa or hot tub in unincorporated Monterey County requires a building permit from the Housing and Community Development Department. Work must meet the adopted…
Hot tubs and spas in unincorporated Monterey County are regulated under Monterey County Code Chapter 18.22 and the California Pool Safety Act. A spa or hot tub equipped with an…
Converting a garage to living space in the City of Monterey requires a building permit and zoning review for egress, light/ventilation and parking; converting to a separate unit is…
Sheds in the City of Monterey must meet zoning setback rules for accessory structures. Under the California Building Code, a building permit is generally required for sheds over 120…
California's statewide ADU law (Gov. Code §65852.2) requires the City of Monterey to allow accessory dwelling units on residential lots by right — detached ADUs up to 1,200 sq ft…
Monterey County treats carports as accessory structures subject to Title 21 zoning setbacks and building permits. Under the county ADU ordinance and state law, when a carport is…
Monterey County recognizes a 'tiny home' as an ADU only if it qualifies as a manufactured home under Health & Safety Code section 18007. Per section 21.06.372, a qualifying tiny home…
The City of Monterey participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and enforces floodplain-development standards in FEMA-mapped special flood hazard areas along the bay and…
Coastal shoreline development in Monterey County is governed by MCC Title 20 (Coastal Implementation Plan) and the County's certified Local Coastal Program (LCP) - including the Big…
Any development in the Monterey County Coastal Zone requires a Coastal Development Permit (CDP) under MCC Title 20 Chapter 20.70 and the California Coastal Act (Cal. Public Resources…
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…
Outdoor BBQ and propane grilling in unincorporated Monterey County follows the California Fire Code (adopted via County Code Ch. 18.09). Charcoal and open-flame grills may not be…
Backyard smokers count as open-flame/charcoal cooking devices under the California Fire Code (adopted via County Code Ch. 18.09). In multi-family buildings they may not be operated on…
Setbacks in unincorporated Monterey County are set per zoning district in Title 21. Examples: LDR/MDR main structures require a 30 ft (LDR) or 20 ft (MDR) front setback; RDR requires…
Maximum building height in unincorporated Monterey County is set by zoning district in Title 21. Residential main structures are generally capped at 30 ft (LDR/MDR/RDR) or 35 ft (HDR)…
Maximum building site coverage in unincorporated Monterey County varies by Title 21 district: LDR allows 35% on lots under 20,000 sq ft and 25% on larger lots; MDR allows 35%; RDR…
Unincorporated Monterey County does not have a specific garage-sale or yard-sale permit ordinance in its zoning or property code. Occasional residential garage sales are generally…
In unincorporated Monterey County, blighted or unsanitary property is handled as a public nuisance under the County Code's administrative code-enforcement chapter. The County's Code…
Unincorporated Monterey County requires every occupied home and business to have weekly solid-waste service under County Code Ch. 10.41. Carts are supplied by the County's franchised…
Owners of vacant parcels in unincorporated Monterey County must keep them free of hazardous weeds, rubbish, and other nuisance conditions. The County enforces this through its Weed…
Unincorporated Monterey County regulates hazardous weeds and combustible vegetation under County Code Ch. 10.46 (Weed Control). Property owners can be required to abate dry weeds and…
Unincorporated Monterey County requires a Tree Removal Permit to remove protected native trees (oaks, Monterey pine, Monterey cypress, redwood). Up to three trees can be handled…
California provides statewide protections for native oak woodlands and heritage trees through CEQA review, Public Resources Code, and Forest Practice Rules that apply uniformly.
Unincorporated Monterey County requires weekly solid-waste collection from every occupied home and business under County Code 10.41.030. Service is provided by the County's franchised…
In unincorporated Monterey County, carts must be set out near the curb for collection and removed promptly. The franchise agreement requires material to be placed within about three…
Unincorporated Monterey County residents get an annual on-call bulky-item pickup through the franchised hauler. The Unified Franchise Agreement provides one free On-Call Collection per…
Recycling is mandatory in unincorporated Monterey County. Every single-family dwelling must have recyclables collection service alongside trash and organics under the Unified Franchise…
California's SB 1383 makes organic-waste (food scraps and yard waste) recycling mandatory statewide. In unincorporated Monterey County, every single-family dwelling must have…
Unincorporated Monterey County allows temporary political signs on private property with the owner's permission. Signs may be posted no earlier than 60 days before an election and must…
Monterey County's sign code does not single out garage or yard sale signs. Such signs fall under general temporary-sign limits in Title 21 (inland) and Title 20 (coastal). Off-site…
Monterey County General Plan Policy LU-1.13 requires all exterior lighting to be unobtrusive and located so only the intended area is illuminated, the long-range visibility of the…
Monterey County addresses light trespass through General Plan Policy LU-1.13, which requires exterior lighting to be located so only the intended area is illuminated and off-site glare…
Monterey County has no dedicated data-center ordinance. A data center is regulated only as a general industrial use: it belongs in a Light or Heavy Industrial district, needs a…
Monterey County Code Chapter 10.60 bars any machine or device producing more than 70 dBA measured 50 feet or more from it, at any time of day. From 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. a 45 dBA hourly Leq…
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…
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…
California sets a statewide minimum wage floor under Labor Code 1182.12, $16.90 per hour for all employers as of January 2026. Local governments are not preempted and may set higher…
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…
California regulates concealed carry weapons licenses statewide under Penal Code 26150 through 26225. Senate Bill 2 (2023) imposes uniform sensitive-place restrictions and applicant…
California preempts most local firearm regulation under Government Code 53071 and Penal Code 25605, reserving licensing, registration, and manufacture authority to the state. However…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
California prohibits state and local governments from requiring private employers to use the federal E-Verify system except where federal law mandates it, under Labor Code 2812. The…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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%…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
California restricts expanded polystyrene food containers statewide through SB 54 (2022) packaging requirements under Public Resources Code 42040-42081. The law mandates that…
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…
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…
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…
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…