Pop. 30,218 · Monterey County
We currently have 1 ordinance verified for Monterey, CA. Our research team is actively working to add more categories including noise rules, parking restrictions, fence regulations, building permits, and other local ordinances that affect daily life.
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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 restricts overnight parking (with district-specific provisions in 20-85.3 and 20-85.4 for Fairground Road and Sand Dunes Drive). Commercial vehicles loading or delivering to a specific address are exempt from overnight restrictions.
Monterey County Code Chapter 12.72 regulates abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, or inoperative vehicles - including RVs, trailers, and boats - on public streets and private property. Vehicles parked on any public street may not remain more than 72 hours; RVs may not be occupied as a dwelling on private residential property. Zoning rules under MCC Title 21 (inland) and Title 20 (coastal) restrict storage of RVs and boats in front yards.
Monterey County permits Accessory Dwelling Units under MCC section 21.64.030 (inland, Title 21) and MCC section 20.64.300 (coastal, Title 20). ADUs are capped at 1,200 sq ft and JADUs at 500 sq ft. State ADU law (Cal. Gov. Code sections 65852.2 and 66323) limits local requirements. Inland ADUs are ministerially permitted; coastal ADUs require a Coastal Administrative Permit. The County's Coastal Zone ADU update was approved by the Board on Nov. 18, 2025.
Government Code 65852.2 expressly authorizes converting an existing garage into an ADU, with no replacement parking allowed and ministerial approval required.
California HCD guidance and Health and Safety Code 18007 classify many tiny homes on wheels as manufactured housing or ADUs, granting statewide siting protections.
Monterey County's Vacation Rental Ordinance (effective October 14, 2024 inland; October 24, 2025 coastal) requires a Vacation Rental Operator's Permit from Housing and Community Development for all short-term rentals (under 30 nights) in unincorporated areas. Three categories: Homestay (host on-site), Limited Vacation Rental (3 rentals/year max), and Commercial Vacation Rental (capped at 4% of housing per planning area). CVRs are banned in Big Sur, Carmel Highlands, Moss Landing residential, and Carmel Valley residential zones.
Vacation rentals in unincorporated Monterey County must submit an On-Site Parking Plan with their Vacation Rental Operation License application under Monterey County Code §21.64.290 (Inland) and the parallel Title 20 Coastal Vacation Rental Ordinance. All required guest vehicles must be accommodated on-site (driveway, garage, or designated parking pad); reliance on public street parking is restricted, and Commercial Vacation Rentals must designate a property manager who can respond on-site within 30 minutes for parking complaints.
Operators of vacation rentals in unincorporated Monterey County must collect a 10.5% Transient Occupancy Tax (Monterey County Code Chapter 5.40) on all stays of 30 days or fewer, hold a Vacation Rental Operation License (VROL) under Chapter 7.120, and maintain a County Business License. Commercial Vacation Rentals (CVRs) additionally require a discretionary Use Permit (Inland) or Coastal Development Permit (Coastal Zone) with substantially higher fees.
Vacation rentals in unincorporated Monterey County operate under occupancy standards adopted with Ord. 24-027 (Monterey County Code §21.64.290 inland; Title 20 coastal counterpart). The widely-reported standard is two adults per bedroom with a maximum of nine adults at any 4+ bedroom property, plus stricter limits in Big Sur where Commercial Vacation Rentals are prohibited entirely. Limited Vacation Rentals require the principal resident to occupy the property except for up to three rental periods per year.
California law requires hosting platforms to verify or disclose liability insurance for short-term rental listings, applying uniformly across all California cities.
Pool barriers in unincorporated Monterey County are governed by the California Swimming Pool Safety Act (Health & Safety Code §§115920-115929) and California Building Code §3109. Any new or remodeled pool deeper than 18 inches must be enclosed by a barrier at least 60 inches high with a self-closing, self-latching gate that opens away from the pool, OR provide at least two of seven approved drowning-prevention safety features. The County adopts and enforces these standards through its Building Inspection Office.
California's Swimming Pool Safety Act covers above-ground pools deeper than 18 inches, requiring uniform drowning-prevention features and barriers regardless of pool type.
Hot tubs and spas fall under California's Swimming Pool Safety Act when capable of holding water deeper than 18 inches, requiring barriers, covers, or other approved safety features.
California's Swimming Pool Safety Act and Title 24 Building Standards Code establish uniform anti-entrapment, drain cover, and safety equipment requirements for all residential pools.
In unincorporated Monterey County (Title 21 inland, Title 20 coastal), fences may not exceed 6 feet in any zoning district unless they meet accessory-structure setbacks. In a required front yard, or in a side yard adjoining a street on a reverse corner lot, fences are capped at 4 feet. Cal. Civ Code §841 (Good Neighbor Fence Act) governs cost-sharing.
California Civil Code Section 841, the Good Neighbor Fence Act, presumes adjoining landowners share equal benefit and equal cost responsibility for boundary fences, applying statewide regardless of city ordinance.
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.
California Building Code under Title 24 universally requires permits and engineering for retaining walls over four feet measured from the bottom of the footing, applying statewide regardless of local variation.
Monterey County Code Chapter 10.68 prohibits all fireworks - including 'safe and sane' fireworks - in the unincorporated areas of the County. MCC 10.68.040 sets penalties. The ban extends to all coastal beaches, federal and state parks, and military installations. State-licensed public displays are the only exception.
Monterey County Code Chapter 18.56 (Wildfire Protection Standards for Defensible Space and Structures in State Responsibility Areas) and Cal. Public Resources Code section 4291 require 100 feet of defensible space around structures in State Responsibility Areas (SRA) and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. Zone 0 (0-5 ft) is ember-resistant, Zone 1 (5-30 ft) is lean and green, Zone 2 (30-100 ft) is reduced fuel.
Outdoor burning in unincorporated Monterey County is regulated by Monterey County Code Chapter 18.09 (adopted California Fire Code) and the Monterey Bay Air Resources District (MBARD) Rule 438. Open burning generally requires a burn permit and is only permitted on declared 'burn days' announced by MBARD. Recreational fire pits using clean fuel are allowed but subject to size and clearance rules and may be suspended during Red Flag warnings.
Large portions of unincorporated Monterey County - including the Big Sur coast, Carmel Highlands, Carmel Valley, Cachagua, Arroyo Seco, and the Santa Lucia Range - are mapped as State Responsibility Area (SRA) and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. New construction must meet Cal. Building Code Chapter 7A (wildfire-resistant materials) and MCC Chapter 18.56 defensible space rules. Disclosure under Cal. Government Code section 51183.5 is required on sale.
California requires permits for most outdoor burning, with statewide CAL FIRE and Air Resources Board rules that uniformly apply alongside local air district restrictions.
California uniformly applies the State Fire Marshal's propane storage standards through the California Fire Code, which all local jurisdictions must enforce as a minimum.
Monterey County Code Chapter 10.60 (Noise Control) governs unincorporated areas including Big Sur, Pebble Beach, Carmel Valley, and Pajaro. MCC 10.60.040 sets nighttime quiet hours from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. with reduced exterior limits. The County's Nighttime Noise Ordinance treats amplified or unreasonable sound exceeding 45 dBA at 50 feet between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. as a violation, and sound exceeding 85 dBA at 50 feet is prohibited any time.
Excessive barking is a nuisance under Monterey County Code Title 8 (Animal Control) and Chapter 10.60 (Noise Control). Persistent barking, howling, or other animal noise that disturbs neighbors can result in a Violation Notice, citation, or abatement action by Monterey County Animal Services. Complaints in unincorporated areas go to Animal Services at (831) 769-8850.
California sets statewide airport noise limits under Title 21 CCR, with the state preempting most local aviation noise control because federal FAA authority dominates aircraft operations in flight.
Monterey County Code section 8.20.010 prohibits dogs from running at large anywhere in the unincorporated county at any time. Off the owner's premises, dogs must be on a leash no more than 6 feet long held by a capable handler, or otherwise confined. All dogs over 4 months must be licensed (MCC 8.08.030) and rabies-vaccinated (MCC 8.08.010).
Monterey County Code Title 8 (Animal Control) and Title 21/20 zoning regulate the keeping of chickens, fowl, and livestock in unincorporated areas. Roosters in any quantity require a permit or permit exemption under MCC Title 8. Hens are generally allowed in residential zones with setback rules; commercial-scale poultry and livestock operations require an agricultural zone.
California Food and Agriculture Code section 31683 preempts cities from banning specific dog breeds, though localities may regulate spay-neuter and breeding by breed.
The Monterey Peninsula (Carmel-by-the-Sea, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Seaside, Sand City, Del Rey Oaks, and unincorporated coastal areas served by California American Water) is governed by the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District's Water Conservation and Rationing Plan (Rule 160 et seq.). Outdoor irrigation is limited to two days per week (Wednesdays and Saturdays), 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 15 minutes per location. Inland Salinas Valley areas are governed by separate district rules.
Monterey County Code Chapter 16.60 (Preservation of Oak and Other Protected Trees) requires a Tree Removal Permit to remove most native trees - including coast live oak, valley oak, blue oak, Monterey cypress, Monterey pine, and redwood - on private property in the unincorporated county. MCC 16.60.040 sets standards for removal of 3 or fewer protected trees; removal of more requires a Use Permit. Coastal Zone removals also require a Coastal Development Permit.
Government Code 65850.3 prevents California cities and HOAs from banning drought-tolerant artificial turf installed at single-family residential properties.
SB 1383 requires every California resident and business to separate food scraps and yard waste from trash, with universal collection or on-site composting.
AB-1572 prohibits using potable water to irrigate non-functional turf at commercial, institutional, and HOA-common areas, accelerating native and low-water landscape conversions statewide.
The 2012 Rainwater Capture Act allows California residents to capture rainwater from rooftops for non-potable outdoor use without a state water-right permit, preempting most local barriers.
The California Homemade Food Act, codified at Health and Safety Code sections 113758 and 114365, sets uniform rules for cottage food operations and bars local governments from prohibiting them in residential zones.
Health and Safety Code sections 1597.40 through 1597.465 require all California cities and counties to treat licensed family daycare homes as permitted residential uses, preempting any local prohibition or restrictive zoning.
While most home occupation rules are local, California Government Code section 65852.2 and Business and Professions Code provisions universally guarantee certain residential uses such as accessory dwelling units and licensed professional offices statewide.
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 Code section 30600). The Coastal Zone covers Big Sur, Carmel Highlands, Carmel Valley coastal portions, Pebble Beach (Del Monte Forest), the Monterey Peninsula coast, Marina, Moss Landing, and Pajaro Dunes. The Big Sur Land Use Plan is among the most restrictive in California.
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 Sur Coast LUP, Carmel Area LUP, Del Monte Forest LUP, and North County LUP. Shoreline armoring (seawalls, riprap) generally requires a Coastal Development Permit and is allowed only to protect pre-1977 structures or essential public infrastructure. The Big Sur Coast LUP bars almost all shoreline alteration.
Monterey County Code Chapter 16.16 (Reduction of Flood Damage and Management of Coastal Zones) is the Countywide Floodplain Ordinance, required for participation in the FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Development within the 100-year floodplain (Zone A, AE) or within 200 feet of a riverbank requires a Use Permit. Key flood-prone areas include the Salinas River, Pajaro River, Carmel River, and coastal lagoons.
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 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 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.
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.
Civil Code 1947.12 limits annual rent increases to 5 percent plus CPI, capped at 10 percent total, on most California rental units regardless of local ordinances.
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.