93 local rules on file · Pop. 4,183 · Contra Costa County
Showing ordinances that apply to Pacheco, CA
Pacheco is an unincorporated community with a population of approximately 4,183 in Contra Costa County, California. Because Pacheco is not an incorporated city, it does not have its own municipal government or city code. Instead, Contra Costa 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 Contra Costa County may have different rules.
Beekeeping is allowed in most unincorporated Contra Costa County residential and agricultural zones subject to hive setbacks (typically 10–20 feet from property lines) and registration with the County Agricultural Commissioner. Africanized-bee incidents trigger mandatory requeening.
Exotic and wild animals are broadly prohibited in unincorporated Contra Costa County. California Fish and Game Code restricts ownership of venomous snakes, big cats, primates, and most non-domestic species. Permits through CDFW are rare and tightly limited.
Wildlife in unincorporated Contra Costa County is regulated primarily by California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). It is illegal to feed deer, coyotes, raccoons, or wild turkeys. Depredation permits are required to remove protected wildlife damaging property.
Under Chapter 416-6 of the Contra Costa County Animal Ordinance, no household in a non-agricultural zone may keep more than three dogs or more than five cats over six months old for more than 30 days without first obtaining a multiple pet license from the Animal Services Director; commercial-scale keeping requires a kennel license.
Contra Costa County does not impose breed-specific restrictions on pit bulls or any other dog breed. Chapter 416-18 of the Animal Ordinance (formerly Article 416-12.4) regulates dangerous and potentially dangerous animals based solely on documented behavior, consistent with California Food & Agricultural Code § 31683, which preempts local breed-specific bans on ownership.
Chapter 82-50 (Urban Farm Animals) of the County Ordinance Code permits residents in unincorporated single-family and two-family residential zones to keep hens, fowl, rabbits, beehives, and livestock subject to lot-size minimums, structure-setback rules, and a 12-foot maximum height for coops; the rules do not apply in the Urban Farm Animal Exclusion (UE) zoning overlay in parts of Bethel Island, Byron, Diablo, Discovery Bay, and Knightsen.
All pool and spa drains in Contra Costa County must comply with the federal Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act and California Health & Safety Code 116064, requiring anti-entrapment drain covers and, for single-drain pools, secondary anti-entrapment systems such as a safety vacuum release system.
Pool enclosures in unincorporated Contra Costa County must be at least 60 inches tall, have self-closing/self-latching gates that open away from the pool, and limit ground clearance to 2 inches. The enclosure is one of two required drowning prevention safety features under the Swimming Pool and Spa Safety Act, enforced by the County Building Inspection Division.
A building permit from the Contra Costa County Building Inspection Division is required before installing any pool or spa in unincorporated areas. In-ground pools must be at least 5 feet from side and rear property lines to the water's edge, and applicants must submit engineer-stamped structural details and a site plan through the ePermits Center.
Contra Costa County Ordinance Code Chapter 44-2 (as amended by Ordinance 2021-19) and Section 5601.1.3 of the County Fire Code (Ord. 2025-14) prohibit the possession, manufacture, sale, offer for sale, use, and discharge of all fireworks in unincorporated areas, including state-classified 'safe and sane' fireworks. There is no carve-out for the Fourth of July.
Properties in State Responsibility Areas and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones across unincorporated Contra Costa must maintain 100 feet of defensible space under Public Resources Code 4291. ConFire conducts annual inspections in the WUI, and non-compliance can trigger abatement, liens, and fines starting at $100 and escalating to misdemeanor charges.
Every dwelling in unincorporated Contra Costa must have working smoke alarms in each bedroom, outside every sleeping area, and on every floor per California Health and Safety Code 13113.7 and CRC R314. Alarms installed after 2015 must be 10-year sealed-battery or hardwired with battery backup, and carbon monoxide alarms are also required.
In unincorporated Contra Costa County, no one may maintain weeds, grass, or similar vegetation exceeding 18 inches in height on private property under Ordinance Code § 720-2.006.
Under Contra Costa County Ordinance 2023-07 and Cal. Health & Safety Code Div. 12, Part 5, property owners must clear dry grass, weeds, brush, tree litter, and other flammable vegetation each year before the Con Fire abatement deadline.
STR parking in unincorporated Contra Costa County must comply with the residential zone's parking standards, typically 2 off-street spaces for a single-family home. On-street parking follows the California Vehicle Code 72-hour rule and any local no-parking designations.
Overnight guest occupancy may not exceed two persons per bedroom plus two additional persons, with a hard cap of 20 total persons gathered at any time. Children under 12 do not count toward overnight limits.
Operating a short-term rental in unincorporated Contra Costa County requires a ministerial STR permit issued under Chapter 88-32, plus a business license and a transient occupancy registration certificate before any rental.
Small family day care homes (up to 8 children) and large family day care homes (up to 14 children) are protected by California Health & Safety Code sections 1597.30-1597.622. Contra Costa County cannot prohibit them in residential zones and must treat them as residential uses for zoning purposes.
Home occupations are permitted in every legally established residential dwelling unit in any zoning district of unincorporated Contra Costa County, but only as a use 'incidental and subordinate' to the residence. The business must occupy no more than one room or 20 percent of the floor area (whichever is greater), use only residents as employees, allow no onsite clients except limited home instruction, and create no exterior indication, noise, odor, dust, fumes, vibration, smoke, or other nuisance.
Contra Costa County prohibits all exterior indication of a home occupation in unincorporated areas. Exterior signs, window displays, outdoor displays, and any other outward signs that a business is being conducted from a residence are not allowed; the property must keep its ordinary residential appearance.
Unincorporated Contra Costa County requires a Home Occupation Permit (ministerial, issued over the counter) or a Land Use Permit before any business activity may be conducted from a residential dwelling. A one-time $150 fee applies for the ministerial permit, and a separate business license from the Tax Collector is also required.
Hedges and living screens in unincorporated Contra Costa County are generally treated as landscaping and are not subject to the same permit thresholds as fences, but height limits in corner-lot visibility triangles and spite-fence rules (Civil Code §841.4 over 10 feet) still apply.
Contra Costa County's Ordinance Code does not impose a general material restriction on residential fences in unincorporated areas. The only material-specific rule is that concrete and masonry walls are classified as walls (not fences) and require a building permit regardless of height.
In unincorporated Contra Costa County, fences may be built up to 7 feet tall without a building permit. Anything taller, or any concrete or masonry wall, requires a permit from the County Building Inspection Division.
Building permits are not required for fences up to 7 feet tall in unincorporated Contra Costa County. Taller fences, any concrete or masonry wall, and retaining walls over 3 feet require a permit from the Building Inspection Division.
Retaining walls up to 3 feet (measured footing to top) are exempt from building permits in unincorporated Contra Costa County. Combined with a fence, the total height may not exceed 7 feet, and the wall portion may not exceed 3 feet.
Carports in unincorporated Contra Costa County are regulated as accessory structures under Title 8 (Zoning) of the County Ordinance Code and as covered structures under the California Building Code as adopted by the county. A carport must satisfy the yard-setback rules of the underlying residential zoning district (e.g., R-6 single-family per Chapter 84-4) and requires a building permit. The county's STR ordinance separately requires off-street parking and may restrict use of carports for STR guest parking.
Unincorporated Contra Costa County allows one accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on lots of at least 6,000 sq ft in single-family, multi-family, P-1, and agricultural districts under Chapter 82-24 of the County Ordinance Code.
In unincorporated Contra Costa County, one-story detached accessory structures (sheds) with a floor area not exceeding 120 sq ft do not require a building permit, but they must still comply with zoning setbacks and may need planning, sanitary, or environmental health approval.
Contra Costa County allows an attached ADU to be created through an internal conversion of an existing garage; no setback is required for an existing garage being converted to an ADU under Chapter 82-24.
Gas and electric lawn equipment in unincorporated Contra Costa County may generally be operated between 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM on weekdays and 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekends. Outside those hours, operation is a noise-ordinance violation under Title 716.
Vehicles parked on any Contra Costa County road for 72 or more consecutive hours may be removed under the California Vehicle Code. Enforcement is handled by the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office.
Contra Costa County has no specific county-wide ordinance restricting where commercial vehicles may park on public roads beyond the general 72-hour limit. State law (California Vehicle Code) governs most commercial-vehicle parking conduct.
Contra Costa County has no county-wide ordinance prohibiting overnight parking on public roads in unincorporated areas. The general 72-hour limit in Sec. 46-4.004 applies, and individual signed restrictions or HOAs may impose stricter rules.
Contra Costa County's Division 430 establishes an abatement program for abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, or inoperative vehicles on public or private property. Code Enforcement may order removal and recover costs.
Storage of recreational vehicles, travel trailers, vessels, and vessel trailers on private property in unincorporated Contra Costa County requires that the unit be adequately screened from view from public roadways. Use for living or sleeping is prohibited.
Illicit discharges to the storm drain system are prohibited in unincorporated Contra Costa County under Ordinance Code Chapter 1014-6 and the Municipal Regional Stormwater NPDES Permit. Violations carry administrative fines, cleanup costs, and potential prosecution.
Unincorporated Contra Costa County regulates floodplain development under Ordinance Code Chapter 914-14 to maintain FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) participation. Significant AE flood zones affect Bethel Island, Bay Point, Rodeo, and delta shoreline areas.
HOAs in Contra Costa County may impose fines for CC&R violations only after adopting a schedule of monetary penalties, providing notice, and holding a disciplinary hearing per Civil Code 5850-5855. Fines must be reasonable, proportionate, and properly recorded. Unpaid fines generally cannot create liens except for assessments.
HOAs in Contra Costa County operate under the California Davis-Stirling Common Interest Development Act (Civil Code 4000-6150). HOA rules may be stricter than county code but cannot conflict with state law or county health and safety requirements. The county enforces public law; HOAs enforce CC&Rs.
Disputes between HOAs and owners in Contra Costa County are governed by Davis-Stirling (Civil Code 5900-5965) requiring Internal Dispute Resolution, with Alternative Dispute Resolution (mediation/arbitration) required before filing most lawsuits. Superior Court has jurisdiction for litigation.
Food truck operators in unincorporated Contra Costa County require a Contra Costa Environmental Health Mobile Food Facility permit and a Business License. Statewide preemption under SB 972 (2022) limits local restrictions on sidewalk food vendors.
Mobile food facility location restrictions in unincorporated Contra Costa County are limited by state preemption (SB 972). Operators generally must have landowner permission, respect zoning, maintain setbacks from residences and schools, and cannot block ROW.
Federal Title X and California Health & Safety Code require lead paint disclosure for pre-1978 rental units in unincorporated Contra Costa County. Landlords must provide EPA pamphlet and disclosure form before lease signing.
California Civil Code Section 1940.9 and Health & Safety Code Section 26147 require landlords to disclose known visible mold to prospective tenants. Contra Costa County follows state law with no supplemental local mold ordinance.
Unincorporated Contra Costa County does not operate a mandatory rental registration program for single-family or small multi-family rentals. Landlords are subject to state requirements including AB 1482 rent cap, Tenant Protection Act, and general business tax filings.
Electrical permits are required in unincorporated Contra Costa County for most work beyond minor repairs. The county Building Inspection Division enforces the California Electrical Code (Title 24 Part 3, based on NEC). Permit exemptions apply to simple like-for-like replacements and low-voltage work.
California Health & Safety Code 13113.7 and the California Residential Code require working smoke alarms in all dwelling units in Contra Costa County. Alarms are required in each sleeping room, outside each sleeping area, and on every level including basements. Alarms manufactured after 2015 must have a 10-year sealed battery.
California Health & Safety Code 13260-13263 (Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act of 2010) requires CO alarms in all dwelling units with fossil-fuel appliances, fireplaces, or attached garages. Alarms must be installed outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home.
Unincorporated Contra Costa County requires building permits for reroofing projects under the California Building Code as adopted in County Ordinance Code Title 7. Class A fire-rated roofing assemblies are required in WUI and VHFHSZ areas (Title 7, Chapter 74-6).
Plumbing permits are required in unincorporated Contra Costa County for new installations, alterations, water heater replacements, and sewer lateral work under the California Plumbing Code adopted in Title 7 of the County Ordinance Code. Permits are issued by the DCD Building Inspection Division.
Hauler-issued carts only; lids must remain closed and waste contained. Overfilled, damaged, or non-franchise containers will not be serviced. Extra bags require pre-paid tags.
Franchised residential customers receive one to two free bulky item pickups annually (appliances, furniture, mattresses). Schedule through hauler with at least one week notice; six-item limit per pickup typical.
Contra Costa County Code Chapter 418-10 and Penal Code 374.3 make illegal dumping a misdemeanor with fines up to $10,000, possible jail time, and mandatory cleanup costs. County operates illegal dumping hotline.
Unincorporated Contra Costa County uses franchised haulers (Republic Services, Mt. Diablo Recycling) with assigned weekly collection days by route. Carts must be curbside by 6 AM on service day and removed within 24 hours.
SB 1383 mandates organics recycling for all residents and businesses. Contra Costa County requires separation of recyclables (blue cart) and organics including food scraps (green cart) with enforcement beginning 2024.
Political signs receive same treatment as other non-commercial signs — up to 6 sq ft, no permit, on private property with owner consent. Content-neutral after Reed v. Gilbert; cannot single out election signs.
Garage sale signs permitted on private property with owner permission; not allowed in public right-of-way. Must be removed promptly after sale concludes. Size limits match general residential signs (6 sq ft).
Contra Costa County Code Chapter 54-4 imposes a curfew on minors under 18 from 10 PM to 5 AM in unincorporated areas, with exceptions for accompanied minors, emergencies, and First Amendment activity.
Contra Costa County parks close from sunset (or 10 PM) to 6 AM unless special use permitted. Violation is infraction under CCC Chapter 1110-6 with fines up to $250 per CA Public Resources Code.
Unincorporated Contra Costa County does not require a permit for residential garage sales. No registration fee or application — residents may hold sales on their own property with basic sign and parking compliance.
No formal frequency cap on garage sales in unincorporated CCC, but repeated sales may trigger classification as home business or unlicensed retail under Zoning Code Title 88. Industry norm: 2-4 per year per address.
CCC Code Chapter 54-6 regulates door-to-door solicitors. Commercial solicitors must obtain a County permit and carry photo ID. Hours limited to 9 AM to sunset. No-soliciting signs must be honored.
Contra Costa County does not maintain a formal no-knock registry. Residents enforce solicitor restrictions by posting 'No Soliciting' signs, which are enforceable under CCC Chapter 54-6 and trespass law.
Homeowner association restrictions on rooftop solar in unincorporated Contra Costa County are governed by California Civil Code 714 (Solar Rights Act). HOAs cannot effectively prohibit or significantly limit residential solar installations.
Unincorporated Contra Costa County issues residential solar permits through the SolarAPP+ online platform in compliance with AB 2188 (3-day expedited processing). Permits are required for photovoltaic and solar-thermal installations under Title 7 of the County Ordinance Code.
Unincorporated Contra Costa County regulates outdoor lighting through Ordinance Code Title 8 zoning provisions and CEQA review, with stricter standards near Mt. Diablo and in rural residential areas. No comprehensive county-wide dark-sky ordinance, but shielded fixtures are commonly required.
Light trespass and glare onto adjacent properties in unincorporated Contra Costa County is prohibited under Ordinance Code Title 8 nuisance and zoning provisions. Commercial and multi-family projects must meet foot-candle limits at property lines through CEQA lighting review.
These unincorporated areas are also governed by Contra Costa County ordinances.