104 local rules on file · Pop. 245 · Nevada County
Showing ordinances that apply to North San Juan, CA
North San Juan is an unincorporated community with a population of approximately 245 in Nevada County, California. Because North San Juan is not an incorporated city, it does not have its own municipal government or city code. Instead, Nevada County ordinances apply directly to residential and commercial properties here. The rules below are the county-level regulations that govern your area. Nearby incorporated cities in Nevada County may have different rules.
Unincorporated Nevada County has no classic curfew-style quiet-hours ordinance. Instead the General Plan Noise Element sets time-based exterior noise limits that tighten at night (10 p.m.-7 a.m.), and general after-hours disturbances are enforced by the Sheriff under California law.
Unincorporated Nevada County does not have a county-wide ordinance setting fixed construction hours. Construction activity is expressly exempt from the County's exterior noise standards; limits on construction timing are instead imposed project-by-project through use permits and CEQA mitigation.
Nevada County Code Section G-IV 1.50 makes it unlawful and a nuisance for an animal owner to allow frequent or continuous irritating or raucous noise that disturbs the neighborhood for 20 minutes or more in an hour. Complaints go to Animal Control through the Sheriff's Office.
Unincorporated Nevada County has no specific leaf-blower ordinance. Leaf-blower noise falls under the General Plan's general exterior noise standards, and excessive or disturbing use is addressed by the Sheriff under California's loud-noise law.
Unincorporated Nevada County has no stand-alone amplified-music ordinance. Amplified sound is regulated through the General Plan exterior noise standards and, for organized events, through use-permit conditions; disturbances are enforced by the Sheriff under California law.
Nevada County's General Plan Noise Element (Table 9.1) and matching zoning standard (Sec. L-II 4.1.7) set exterior noise limits in dBA by zoning district and time of day, ranging from 40 dBA Leq overnight in rural zones to 80 dBA in industrial zones.
Outdoor music at organized events in unincorporated Nevada County is regulated through use permits and the County's outdoor-event process, with amplified music commonly required to end by 10 p.m. and events to comply with the County's exterior noise standards.
Aircraft noise around Nevada County and Truckee Tahoe airports is managed through Airport Land Use Compatibility Plans adopted by the airport land use commissions, which the County enforces through compatible land-use decisions. In-flight aircraft operations themselves are regulated by the FAA.
Industrial uses in unincorporated Nevada County must meet the General Plan exterior noise limits, which cap industrial (M1, M2) zones at 80 dBA Leq and 90 dBA Lmax at any time, with stricter limits applying at the boundary of more sensitive abutting zones.
Vehicle noise in unincorporated Nevada County is primarily controlled through the California Vehicle Code. The County's General Plan directs the Sheriff and CHP to enforce state exhaust-system and muffler requirements rather than a separate county vehicle-noise ordinance.
Unincorporated Nevada County does not cap the number of nights a short-term rental may operate per year, and it does not limit the number of STR permits, because it has no STR ordinance. There is no annual rental-night ceiling for ordinary dwellings; the only night-based line is the 30-day TOT threshold.
Unincorporated Nevada County does not impose short-term-rental-specific parking requirements. With no STR ordinance, parking is governed by general zoning standards for the residence and applicable road, fire-access, and county parking regulations rather than a dedicated STR off-street parking mandate.
Unincorporated Nevada County does not set short-term-rental-specific quiet hours. Noise from STRs is regulated under the County's general noise and nuisance provisions, which apply to all properties, rather than through STR permit conditions, since the county has no dedicated STR ordinance.
Unincorporated Nevada County does not require a host or owner to be present during short-term rental stays. With no STR ordinance, there is no hosted-only or owner-on-site mandate; both un-hosted whole-home rentals and rented rooms within an occupied home are permitted.
Unincorporated Nevada County does not impose a short-term-rental-specific insurance or minimum-liability-coverage requirement, because it has no STR permit ordinance. Operators carry insurance voluntarily; the County's only mandatory step for STRs is TOT registration, not proof of liability coverage.
The only registration required in unincorporated Nevada County is a Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Certificate. Any property in the unincorporated area rented to transients for less than one month must register and obtain a TOT Certificate, which serves as the operator's tax account number.
Nevada County has no three-strikes STR permit system, but TOT enforcement escalates sharply: 10% penalty for late remittance, a second 10% after 30 days, a 25% fraud penalty, 1.5% monthly interest, recorded tax liens against all of the operator's real property, and misdemeanor prosecution.
Unincorporated Nevada County does not require a Planning Department permit to operate a short-term rental. No use permit, conditional use permit, or STR license is needed. The structure must simply be permitted for residential use through the Building Department, and operators must register for transient occupancy tax.
Unincorporated Nevada County does not impose a special short-term-rental occupancy cap. Because there is no STR permit ordinance, guest counts are governed only by general building and health-and-safety codes for the dwelling rather than a fixed per-bedroom or per-property STR limit.
Unincorporated Nevada County levies a 10% Transient Occupancy Tax on rentals of 30 days or less, authorized under California Revenue and Taxation Code Section 7280 and Nevada County General Code Title 5, Chapter 4. Airbnb collects and remits the 10% directly; other platforms require host remittance.
Since May 1, 2017, Airbnb has collected and remitted Nevada County's 10% TOT on all Airbnb bookings, with no host opt-out. Hosts remain personally responsible for collecting and remitting TOT on bookings made through VRBO or any other platform or method.
Unincorporated Nevada County does NOT limit short-term rentals to primary residences. The County's FAQs confirm there are no restrictions on renting rooms within a residence or on renting an entire primary residence, and non-owner-occupied whole-home rentals are not prohibited by a county STR ordinance.
Unincorporated Nevada County enforces a robust weed-abatement program through the Hazardous Vegetation Abatement ordinance (Article 7, Chapter IV of the General Code). Dry grass, weeds, brush, and combustible material within 100 feet of a structure or along access roads are declared a public nuisance owners must abate.
Routine pruning of your own trees needs no county permit. However, the Hazardous Vegetation Abatement ordinance (Sec. G-IV 7.4) requires owners to prune ladder fuels, remove dead/dying wood, keep branches 10 feet from chimneys, and maintain a 10-foot-wide, 15-foot-high clearance strip beyond roadway shoulders for emergency access.
Nevada County government does not run a single countywide outdoor-watering schedule. Outdoor water use in unincorporated areas is governed by California's permanent water-waste prohibitions (SWRCB / AB 1572) and by the rules of the local retail supplier, most often the Nevada Irrigation District, which sets day/time watering limits during droughts.
Rainwater harvesting is legal in unincorporated Nevada County. There is no county ordinance banning rain barrels or cisterns. California's Rainwater Capture Act of 2012 lets owners collect rooftop rainwater without a State Water Board water-right permit; large or plumbed systems may still need a county building permit.
Nevada County does not require native plants, but it strongly favors climate-adapted, low-water, and fire-wise landscaping. The County's Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance and California's MWELO push climate-appropriate plant palettes for new development, while the Hazardous Vegetation rules shape how plants are placed near structures.
Nevada County has no ordinance banning artificial turf, and synthetic lawns are a recognized way to cut outdoor water use under California's water-efficiency framework. Artificial turf installations are governed mainly by general county zoning, drainage, and setback rules rather than a turf-specific ban.
Backyard composting is allowed in unincorporated Nevada County and is directly addressed in the Solid Waste ordinance (Sec. G-IV 8.2.E), which requires it be done in a nuisance-free, vector-free way using only household-generated waste. California's SB 1383 also mandates organic-waste diversion through the County's collection program.
Removing a hazardous or dead tree for defensible space is required under the Hazardous Vegetation Abatement ordinance and needs no county permit. But removing protected oaks or trees during land development triggers the County's Title 12 / Land Use & Development Code resource standards, which can require a tree removal permit and replacement.
Unincorporated Nevada County does not run a cosmetic lawn-height program. The only enforceable grass standard is fire-driven: the Hazardous Vegetation Abatement ordinance (Article 7, Chapter IV of the General Code) and state PRC 4291 require weeds and grasses cut to four (4) inches or lower within the defensible-space and fuel-modification areas.
All fireworks are banned throughout unincorporated Nevada County, including state-approved "Safe and Sane" types. Nevada County is a non-permissive jurisdiction because of extreme wildfire risk in the Sierra foothills. Possessing, transporting, or using fireworks is illegal, and people who start a fire can be held financially and criminally liable.
Backyard fires in unincorporated Nevada County fall into two regulated buckets: open burning of yard debris (allowed only on NSAQMD permissive burn days, with a CAL FIRE permit) and small recreational fires (California Fire Code Section 307). Recreational fires must be 3 feet or less across, 25 feet from structures, and constantly attended. All fireworks are banned.
Property owners in unincorporated Nevada County must maintain 100 feet of defensible space around structures under California PRC 4291, and the county's Hazardous Vegetation and Combustible Material Abatement Ordinance (Code Article 7, Sec. G-IV 7.1 et seq.) extends those duties to adjacent parcels and roadways. Vegetation must be cleared 10 feet beyond road shoulders to a 15-foot vertical height.
Smoke alarm requirements in unincorporated Nevada County come from California state law (Health & Safety Code 13113.7) and the California Building/Residential Code, not a separate county ordinance. Alarms are required inside each bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every story of a dwelling. Carbon monoxide alarms are also required under HSC 17926.
Residential propane (LP-gas) storage in unincorporated Nevada County follows the California Fire Code (Chapter 61) and NFPA 58, not a separate county ordinance. Containers over 125 gallons (water capacity) must be at least 10 feet from buildings and adjoining-property lot lines; very small containers can be placed without that separation if installed per code requirements.
Open burning of dry vegetation in unincorporated Nevada County is allowed only on declared "permissive burn days" set by the Northern Sierra Air Quality Management District (NSAQMD) and requires a CAL FIRE residential burn permit (required from May 1 each year). Only dry vegetation grown on the property may be burned; trash, treated wood, and burn barrels are illegal.
Most of unincorporated Nevada County is mapped as High or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone by CAL FIRE and the State Fire Marshal under Government Code 51178. Unincorporated lands fall mainly in CAL FIRE's State Responsibility Area, triggering PRC 4291 defensible space, the county's hazardous-vegetation ordinance, and California Building Code Chapter 7A construction standards.
Backyard recreational fires (fire pits, chimineas, campfires) follow the California Fire Code and CAL FIRE rules. A recreational fire pile must be 3 feet or less across and 2 feet or less high, kept at least 25 feet from structures, and constantly attended with water on hand. A CAL FIRE permit is generally required in fire season.
Nevada County does not maintain a citywide commercial-vehicle parking grid, so commercial-truck parking in unincorporated areas is governed mainly by California Vehicle Code authority allowing counties to restrict heavy commercial vehicles in residential districts, plus general no-parking and weight rules on county roads.
Building, paving, or modifying a driveway that connects to a Nevada County road requires an Encroachment Permit from Public Works, and the driveway must meet County design standards for width, paving, grade, and clearance under the Nevada County Code.
Oversized vehicles such as motorhomes, large trailers, and heavy trucks in unincorporated Nevada County are governed by California Vehicle Code parking rules and County right-of-way limits; the County has no separate posted oversized-vehicle grid, but obstruction, 72-hour, and snow-area rules all apply.
Nevada County has no county-specific electric-vehicle-charging parking ordinance for unincorporated areas; designated EV charging spaces are governed by California Vehicle Code Section 22511, which bars parking in a charging stall unless the vehicle is connected for charging and allows towing of unauthorized vehicles.
Unincorporated Nevada County's rural roads largely lack painted curbs, so loading-zone rules follow California Vehicle Code Section 21458 curb-color meanings; specific time limits for yellow and white loading zones apply only where a local ordinance and signs/markings establish them.
In snow areas of unincorporated Nevada County it is unlawful to leave a vehicle in the county road right-of-way during snow-removal operations. Residents must park behind the snow stake line and off the shoulders from November 1 to May 1, or risk fines, liability for damage, and towing.
In unincorporated Nevada County, recreational vehicles may be stored on private residential parcels, but using an RV for temporary occupancy is regulated by Code Section 12.03.150. Seasonal and guest stays are capped at 90 days per year, and DMV registration must be kept current.
Unincorporated Nevada County does not impose general on-street time limits on most rural county roads, but parking on the public right-of-way is restricted during snow removal and is subject to California Vehicle Code limits, including the 72-hour rule and abandoned-vehicle abatement.
Nevada County runs an Abandoned Vehicle Abatement (AVA) program for vehicles on county roads under California Vehicle Code authority, and treats abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, or inoperative vehicles on private property as a nuisance under Code Section 12.05.200.
Unincorporated Nevada County has no countywide blanket overnight on-street parking ban, but overnight occupancy of an RV is limited by Code 12.03.150, vehicles left 72+ hours can be towed under state law, and overnight parking is barred in county road rights-of-way during snow-removal operations.
In unincorporated Nevada County, California, Section 12.04.106 of the County Code (formerly Land Use & Development Code) sets fence and hedge heights by yard and zone. In residential districts, front and street-side fencing is limited to 4 feet (open) or 3 feet (solid); rear and interior side fencing may reach 6 feet.
Nevada County's code sets fence heights and sight-distance rules (Sec. 12.04.106) but does not govern who pays for a shared boundary fence. That is controlled by California Civil Code Section 841, the 'Good Neighbor Fence Law,' which presumes adjoining owners share equally in the reasonable cost of a boundary fence and requires 30 days' written notice before incurring costs.
Beyond height, Nevada County's Sec. 12.04.106 defines fence types and requires that fencing not impair vehicle sight distance. Open fencing (open board, split rail, wire, chain link) gets more height than solid fencing, and swimming-pool fencing follows separate standards in the Land Use and Development Code.
Nevada County allows a wide range of fence materials. Sec. 12.04.106 expressly recognizes wood, metal, wire, fabric, boards, and masonry walls, classifying each as 'open' or 'solid.' The classification, not the material itself, determines the height you may build in each yard.
In unincorporated Nevada County, the Building Setbacks section (Sec. 12.04.105) exempts retaining walls less than 4 feet in height above finished grade from setback requirements as a 'site design feature.' Taller retaining walls, and solid wall construction generally, are subject to building-code requirements under the County Code.
Nevada County's Sec. 12.04.106 does not prohibit specific fence materials. It allows wood, metal, wire, fabric, boards, and masonry walls, but regulates them by whether they are 'open' or 'solid' and by their effect on vehicle sight distance, with solid construction subject to the Uniform Building Code.
Nevada County's Fencing and Hedges section (Sec. 12.04.106) sets zoning height limits but does not, on its face, require a planning permit for an ordinary code-compliant fence. A discretionary land use permit or Use Permit is the mechanism to exceed the height maximums, and solid fence and wall construction must meet building-code requirements.
Nevada County does not ban specific dog breeds. California Food & Agricultural Code Section 31683 preempts breed-specific dangerous-dog ordinances; counties may only adopt breed-specific spay/neuter or breeding requirements, not breed bans. The County instead regulates individual vicious or dangerous dogs by behavior, not breed.
In unincorporated Nevada County, wild, exotic, or non-domestic animals require special authorization from the Department of Animal Control under General Code Section G-IV 1.55, and may also need a California Department of Fish and Wildlife permit. Such animals are not allowed in residential, commercial, or industrial districts; rural districts require a Use Permit.
Unincorporated Nevada County scales large-livestock keeping to lot size. No large animals are allowed on parcels under 0.5 acre. From 0.5 to 3 acres, no more than one mature large animal per 0.5 acre is allowed. Parcels over 3 acres have no numeric limit. Large livestock is not allowed in standard residential, commercial, or industrial districts.
Unincorporated Nevada County does not require cats to be licensed; only dogs over 4 months must be licensed. Cats count toward the County's combined dog/cat limits (max 3 in residential/commercial/industrial districts). California law makes general animal-cruelty and care standards apply, and stray cats may be handled by County Animal Control.
Nevada County's animal code does not publish a stand-alone ordinance banning the feeding of deer, bears, or other wildlife in unincorporated areas. California state law (Fish and Game Code / Title 14 regulations) makes intentionally feeding big-game wildlife such as bears and deer unlawful, and securing trash and attractants is strongly urged in this bear-country county.
Nevada County addresses hoarding indirectly: its animal-keeping limits cap dogs and cats (max 3 in residential/commercial/industrial districts; 6 animals on small parcels), and kennel licenses are required above those limits. Severe cases of overcrowding and neglect are prosecuted under California Penal Code Section 597, the state's animal-cruelty law.
Unincorporated Nevada County allows backyard chickens in RA and R1 zoning on lots under 0.5 acre, scaled by lot size: 4 hens at 6,000 sq ft, 8 at 10,000 sq ft, 14 at 20,000 sq ft. Roosters, guinea hens, and loud exotic varieties are excluded. Coops need 10-ft property-line and 30-ft residence setbacks.
Unincorporated Nevada County allows apiaries under its Animal Keeping and Raising standards. No apiary may be located within 100 feet of any other property boundary without the adjacent owner's consent. In the RA district, hives are limited to no more than 20 colonies per acre; commercial and industrial districts do not allow apiaries.
In unincorporated Nevada County, dogs and cats are limited to no more than 3 total in the R1, R2, R3, commercial, and industrial districts. On parcels of 0.5 acre or less, the maximum is 6 animals (not to exceed 3 dogs), regardless of zoning. Agricultural and rural districts have no limit. Exceeding the limit requires a kennel license.
In unincorporated Nevada County, dogs and other animals may not run at large on public or private property. An animal is deemed at large when off the owner's premises and not under direct control by leash, chain, tether, adequate fence, or other effective device. Animal Control enforces the County Code.
In unincorporated Nevada County, a building permit is required to construct an in-ground or permanent swimming pool. The County Building Department will not issue a swimming pool permit until the applicant completes and returns a signed Swimming Pool Safety Barrier Requirements form. Pools must meet setback and barrier standards.
Nevada County's residential pool safety rules mirror California's Swimming Pool Safety Act. Beyond the enclosure, doors and low windows giving direct pool access must have self-latching hardware or audible alarms, and a listed safety pool cover can substitute for door alarms. Several drowning-prevention safety features are required.
In unincorporated Nevada County, prefabricated swimming pools that are less than 24 inches deep are exempt from a building permit. Deeper above-ground and permanent pools require a permit, must meet the 10-foot side/rear setback, and must be protected by the same 60-inch safety barrier as in-ground pools.
In unincorporated Nevada County, a hot tub or spa equipped with a locking safety cover that complies with ASTM F1346-91 is exempt from the swimming pool barrier requirement. Spas otherwise follow the same setback and electrical/building permit rules, and public spas are regulated by Environmental Health.
Nevada County requires residential swimming pools to be enclosed by a barrier at least 60 inches high. Owners may fence the property using the house as part of the barrier, or fence the pool only. Gates must open away from the pool and be self-closing and self-latching, with the latch at least 60 inches high.
Most home businesses in unincorporated Nevada County require an Administrative Development Permit under Section 12.03.110, though they are not subject to design review. Office uses and arts/crafts fabrication conducted entirely within the residence are exempt from the permit but must still file all required information and may not have signs or customer traffic.
Nevada County Environmental Health registers and permits cottage food operations under California's cottage food law (AB-1616 / Health and Safety Code 113758). Class A (direct sales) operators may earn up to $75,000 in gross annual sales; Class B (direct and indirect sales) up to $150,000. Local zoning compliance is required first.
Section 12.03.110 of the Nevada County Zoning Regulations allows limited commercial activity from a residence as an accessory use in residential and rural districts. The home business must be clearly incidental and subordinate to the single-family residence, occupy a limited floor area, and not impact surrounding properties.
Home businesses in unincorporated Nevada County are limited to six business-related round trips per day, confined to 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday, with all business parking provided on site. Educational tutoring gets a limited exception, and permit-exempt home businesses may not generate any customer traffic.
Under California Health and Safety Code 1597.45, a small or large family daycare home is a residential use by right in all zoning districts. Nevada County cannot require a conditional use permit, zoning clearance, or business license. Small homes serve up to 8 children and large homes up to 14; the State licenses providers.
Under Nevada County Code Section 12.03.110, a home business that requires a permit may have one on-site freestanding or wall sign limited to a maximum of four square feet, and it may not be illuminated. Permit-exempt home businesses may not have any signage at all.
Converting an existing garage into an ADU in unincorporated Nevada County is handled ministerially under California ADU Law. No replacement parking may be required when a garage, carport, or covered parking structure is converted, and conversions within the existing footprint are not subject to new setbacks.
Carports are treated as detached accessory structures under unincorporated Nevada County zoning and must meet the setbacks and standards of the parcel's zoning district. Small open structures may fall under building-permit exemptions, and California ADU Law bars the County from requiring replacement parking when a carport is converted to an ADU.
Unincorporated Nevada County allows small detached sheds without a building permit. One-story detached accessory structures up to 120 sq ft are unlimited in number, and structures up to 200 sq ft (no electrical, plumbing or mechanical, not for habitation) are permit-exempt at one per parcel. All exempt sheds must still meet zoning setbacks.
In unincorporated Nevada County, ADUs and JADUs are reviewed ministerially and are governed primarily by California State ADU Law (Gov. Code 66310 et seq.). A completed application must be approved or denied within 60 days, ADUs need only 4-foot side and rear setbacks, and no owner-occupancy may be required.
Unincorporated Nevada County adopted Ordinance ORD24-2 (Board action Jan. 14, 2025) amending Title 12 to allow Tiny Homes on Wheels (THOWs) up to 400 sq ft as permanent dwellings. THOWs and ADUs are ministerially permitted in RA, R1, R2, AE, AG, FR, and TPZ zoning districts, subject to building permit and zoning compliance.
There is no special Nevada County ordinance singling out backyard propane or charcoal BBQs, but they are affected by wildfire rules. A propane or charcoal grill is not the same as a regulated recreational fire, yet it should be used away from dry vegetation and structures. The propane cylinders that fuel it follow California Fire Code Chapter 61 / NFPA 58.
Backyard smokers (wood, pellet, charcoal, or propane) are not singled out by any Nevada County ordinance. As cooking appliances they are not regulated open burning and need no burn permit, but in this wildfire-prone area they should be used clear of dry vegetation and structures. Smoke that drifts onto neighbors can still be a nuisance under air-district rules.
In unincorporated Nevada County, Sec. 12.04.105 governs building setbacks. Side and rear setbacks are commonly 30 feet, but parcels under 3 acres served by community/public water may reduce them (to 5 ft side / 20 ft rear in R1-R3, or 10 ft side / 20 ft rear in RA, AG, AE, FR) if fire-protection measures are met.
Maximum structure height in unincorporated Nevada County is set by base zoning district in Article 2 of the County Code, so the exact limit depends on your district. The Building Setbacks section (Sec. 12.04.105) does, however, allow architectural features like eaves, chimneys, and bay windows to project up to 5 feet into front and rear setbacks.
Maximum lot coverage in unincorporated Nevada County is established by base zoning district in Article 2 of the County Code, so the allowed coverage depends on your district rather than a single countywide figure. Required setbacks under Sec. 12.04.105 also limit buildable area by keeping yards open from the ground upward.
In unincorporated Nevada County, blight, junk accumulation, and unsafe property conditions are handled by the Code Compliance Division under the Nevada County Code (Title 12) and adopted building/housing codes. The county pursues voluntary compliance first, then citations, abatement, and liens recorded against the property.
Nevada County Code Article 8 (Solid Waste) requires every waste generator in the unincorporated county to provide covered, corrosion-resistant, leak-proof containers. Individual cans may not exceed 32 gallons or weigh over 60 pounds filled, and containers must be stored to prevent upset, spillage, odors, vectors, and nuisance.
Owners of vacant parcels in unincorporated Nevada County remain responsible for sanitary solid waste storage and for hazardous vegetation abatement. The county's Hazardous Vegetation Abatement Ordinance (Ord. 2463) supplements California PRC 4291's 100-foot defensible space and reaches vegetation along private roads and adjacent improved parcels.
In unincorporated Nevada County, overgrown brush and weeds are regulated chiefly as a wildfire hazard. The Hazardous Vegetation Abatement Ordinance (Ord. 2463) supplements California PRC 4291's 100-foot defensible space, adds private-road clearance duties, and carries a fee and abatement program enforced by the OES Defensible Space Division.
Unincorporated Nevada County does not publish a dedicated garage- or yard-sale permit requirement in its readily available code materials. Occasional residential sales are generally treated as a normal home use, but home-business limits (Code Sec. 12.03.110), signage in the public right-of-way, and parking rules can still apply.
Curbside garbage service is mandatory in unincorporated Nevada County, which franchises haulers: Waste Management (WM) in the western county and Tahoe Truckee Sierra Disposal (TTSD) in the east. Putrescible waste must be removed at least once every seven days. WM crews require carts at the curb by 6 a.m. on the collection day.
Nevada County Code Article 8 directs refuse containers to be placed at ground level on the property or within the public road right-of-way without blocking traffic, access, parking, or drainage. Western-county WM customers must set carts out by 6 a.m., three feet from cars, mailboxes, and obstacles, with wheels against the curb.
Western unincorporated Nevada County WM subscribers receive one annual transfer-station voucher each January for 2 cubic yards of free bulky-waste disposal. Eastern-county TTSD customers must prepay to have bulky items collected curbside. Bulky items can also be self-hauled to the county's transfer stations.
Western unincorporated Nevada County uses a three-cart system with a blue cart for co-mingled recyclables collected by Waste Management. Eastern-county Tahoe Truckee Sierra Disposal runs a free blue-bag recycling program. Recycling subscription accompanies the mandatory franchise service under Nevada County Code Article 8.
Under California SB 1383, unincorporated Nevada County requires food and organic waste to be separated from trash. Western-county residents began three-cart (green-bin) collection through Waste Management on January 6, 2025. Jurisdictional waivers apply only to high-elevation (above 4,500 ft) or low-population (under 75 people per square mile) areas.
Unincorporated Nevada County's sign code (Section L-II 4.2.12.H.15) exempts temporary political signs from sign-permit standards if they do not exceed 32 sq ft per sign, are posted no more than 90 days before an election, and are removed within 10 days after the election. State law similarly caps temporary political signs at 32 sq ft.
Nevada County's sign code (Section L-II 4.2.12) has no separate garage-sale sign category. Temporary signs may not occupy a public right-of-way without an encroachment permit, and small temporary directional/portable signs are limited in size (e.g., open-house directional signs max 8 sq ft). The County separately limits yard sales themselves on residential parcels.
Unincorporated Nevada County does not have a comprehensive standalone dark-sky ordinance. Outdoor lighting is governed through the County's zoning site-development standards and General Plan policies, which require shielding and downward direction of light so direct rays stay within property boundaries. The separate full-cutoff/3000K dark-sky ordinance applies to the City of Nevada City, not the county.
Unincorporated Nevada County's zoning site-development standards require outdoor lighting to be shielded and directed so that direct rays of artificial light are confined within the property boundaries, which functions as the County's light-trespass control. Sign lighting must likewise be screened from direct view of neighbors and roadways.
These unincorporated areas are also governed by Nevada County ordinances.