Pop. 112,076 · Santa Barbara County
STR guests in Santa Maria must comply with the city's noise ordinance (Chapter 5-5) and Good Neighbor Rules (Chapter 4-7). Hosts are responsible for informing guests about noise standards.
The Santa Maria Municipal Code does not impose a minimum liability-insurance requirement on short-term rental operators. The city has no STR-specific permit chapter that would attach a certificate-of-insurance condition. Standard homeowner or landlord coverage, plus any platform…
The Santa Maria Municipal Code does not set a numeric overnight-guest or persons-per-bedroom limit specifically for short-term rentals. Practical limits come from California Building Code occupant-load calculations adopted by SMMC Chapter 9-04, the 30-day cap that defines…
Santa Maria has not adopted a dedicated short-term rental ordinance, so STR operators are regulated through generally applicable rules: a City of Santa Maria business license under Santa Maria Municipal Code (SMMC) Chapter 4-1 and a Transient Occupancy Registration Certificate…
STR guests in Santa Maria must comply with city parking regulations. Hosts should provide parking information to guests and ensure adequate off-street parking is available.
Santa Maria requires STR operators to collect and remit the transient occupancy tax (TOT) on all stays under 30 days. The TOT rate is set by city ordinance.
Inland hosts must file a Land Use Permit with a Homestay Supplemental Application, Indemnification Form, and Agreement for Payment, then renew the permit annually. Every operator countywide must also obtain a Transient Occupancy Registration Certificate.
In unincorporated inland Santa Barbara County, residential-zone short-term rentals must be homestays - the owner or a long-term tenant (six months or more) must live on the property long-term and be present during guest stays. Non-hosted, investor-only STRs are limited to…
A Santa Barbara County homestay requires the host - the owner or long-term tenant - to be on the property at the same time the guests are staying. Hosting is defined by simultaneous on-site presence of the host and the transient occupants on the same lot.
Santa Barbara County's published homestay rules do not impose an annual cap on the number of nights a homestay may be rented. Stays are limited to 30 consecutive days or less to qualify as transient occupancy, but no fetched County source sets a yearly night limit.
Carports in Santa Maria are governed by Title 12 of the Municipal Code, including Chapter 12-27 (Accessory Structures) and the Off-Street Parking and Loading chapter. Any street-facing carport must sit at least 20 feet from the property line, each covered space must be at least…
Santa Maria permits one ADU and one JADU per single-family lot ministerially within 60 days; detached ADUs may be up to 1,200 sq ft with 4-foot side/rear setbacks, and parking is waived within 1/2 mile of transit.
Detached tool and storage sheds up to 120 square feet, 8 feet tall, and at least 5 feet from any other building are exempt from building permits but must sit behind the front wall of the dwelling and be screened by a 6-foot fence or wall.
When a garage is converted to an ADU in Santa Maria, no replacement off-street parking is required, but converting a garage to a JADU or to other non-ADU living space requires onsite replacement parking under Chapter 12-32.
In unincorporated Santa Barbara County, a tiny home on a permanent foundation is reviewed as an ADU or dwelling under California ADU law and the County LUDC. A tiny home on wheels (RV/park-model) is generally not allowed as a permanent residence outside approved RV/mobile-home…
Santa Maria Municipal Code Chapter 12-27 limits fences to 3 feet immediately behind the public utility easement (front yard), and 6 feet within required side and rear yards. A 6-foot wall is allowed in the front/interior side yard only if set back 10 feet from the back of…
Santa Maria Municipal Code prohibits barbed wire, razor wire, or similar sharp-pointed materials on fences in any zoning district. The Zoning Administrator or Planning Commission may approve an exception via Conditional Use Permit for documented safety/security needs, and the…
Santa Maria zoning permits standard residential fence materials (wood, vinyl, masonry, ornamental metal, chain link). Barbed wire, razor wire and electrified fencing are generally prohibited in residential zones.
Under California Residential Code R105.2 (adopted by Santa Maria in SMMC Chapter 9-08), a wood, chain-link or similar fence not over 7 feet in height is exempt from a building permit. Masonry walls, retaining walls over 4 feet, and electric fences (SMMC Chapter 9-04) require a…
Santa Maria's Good Neighbor Rules (Chapter 4-7) address fence-related neighbor issues. California law does not require neighbor consent to build on your own property. Shared fence costs may be split.
In unincorporated Santa Barbara County, a retaining wall that retains earth only and is not over four feet (footing to top) and needs no grading permit is exempt from a Coastal Development or Land Use Permit, unless it is near a coastal bluff, beach or sensitive habitat…
Fences in unincorporated Santa Barbara County must comply with LUDC Section 35.30.070: stay within the height thresholds for their location, never exceed the underlying zone's height limit, and respect corner-lot vision-clearance. Coastal-zone fences must avoid wetlands…
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.
Santa Maria does not cap the number of dogs at a residence by simple ordinance, but Municipal Code Section 12-2.78 defines any property with four or more dogs as a 'kennel,' which is a regulated land use subject to zoning permits. Every dog over four months must also be licensed…
Santa Maria Municipal Code Chapter 5-3, Article 8 (Livestock) bans hogs, swine, stallions, and bulls inside the city limits and requires horses, mules, cattle, sheep, and goats to be kept at least 125 feet from any residence. The RA Residential Agricultural zone is the only…
Exotic pet ownership in Santa Maria is governed by California Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations. Many species require permits or are prohibited entirely.
Santa Maria requires dogs to be leashed when off the owner's property. Dogs must be under control at all times. Santa Barbara County Animal Services enforces animal ordinances.
Santa Maria has no breed-specific ban. Pit bulls, Rottweilers, and other breeds are legal to own. California Food and Agricultural Code Section 31683 preempts breed-specific dog ordinances statewide except narrow spay/neuter rules. Santa Maria instead uses behavior-based…
Beekeeping is allowed in Santa Maria with certain restrictions. Hives should be positioned with consideration for neighbors and flyway barriers may be required.
In unincorporated Santa Barbara County, livestock is regulated by lot size and zone under Land Use & Development Code Section 35.42.060. In residential and agricultural zones, large hoofed animals such as cattle, horses, and llamas are generally allowed at one animal per 20,000…
Santa Barbara County does not require cats to be licensed — cat licensing through County Animal Services is voluntary. Cats are not subject to a leash law, but the general animal-keeping, nuisance, and cruelty standards in County Code Chapter 7 and California law still apply to…
We found no Santa Barbara County ordinance that specifically bans feeding wildlife in unincorporated areas. Feeding wild animals is instead controlled by California law: Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations (Title 14 CCR §251.1) treat intentional feeding that draws…
Santa Barbara County does not have a standalone animal-hoarding ordinance. Hoarding and neglect are addressed through County Code Chapter 7 nuisance and impound authority combined with California Penal Code Section 597 (cruelty) and Section 597.1 (neglect), which let officers…
Santa Maria sits in the relatively flat Santa Maria Valley, largely outside CAL FIRE's high or very-high Fire Hazard Severity Zones, so the 100-foot defensible-space clearance under California Public Resources Code section 4291 does not blanket-apply within city limits…
Backyard burning of leaves, weeds, grass clippings, shrubbery, and tree prunings is prohibited in Santa Maria by Santa Barbara County APCD. The only routine backyard fires allowed are CFC 307.4.2 recreational fires (3 ft x 2 ft, 25 ft setback) and CFC 307.4.3 portable outdoor…
Santa Maria is one of the few California cities where State Fire Marshal-approved 'Safe and Sane' fireworks are legal. Residents may discharge them only on July 4 between 11:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. All 'dangerous fireworks' (firecrackers, bottle rockets, mortars, M-80s, sky…
Santa Maria Municipal Code Chapter 9-28 amends California Fire Code Section 307.1 to prohibit open burning within city limits, except for recreational fires (CFC 307.4.2), portable outdoor fireplaces (CFC 307.4.3), or under a single-use permit issued by the Fire Chief. Santa…
Recreational fires and portable outdoor fireplaces are the only routine open-flame exceptions to Santa Maria's open-burning ban. Under California Fire Code Section 307.4.2 (adopted by Santa Maria Municipal Code Chapter 9-28), recreational fires must stay at least 25 feet from…
Smoke and carbon monoxide alarm requirements in unincorporated Santa Barbara County come from California law and the adopted California Residential/Building Codes, not a special county ordinance. California Health & Safety Code section 13113.7 requires smoke alarms in dwelling…
Propane (LP-gas) storage in unincorporated Santa Barbara County is governed by the adopted California Fire Code Chapter 61 and NFPA 58, not a special county rule. Storage, handling, and equipment installation must comply with Chapter 61 and NFPA 58, and on combustible balconies…
Much of unincorporated Santa Barbara County lies in CAL FIRE Fire Hazard Severity Zones rated Moderate, High, or Very High. CAL FIRE released updated Local Responsibility Area maps on March 10, 2025 (the first update since 2009), and local agencies must adopt the new zones…
Santa Maria Chapter 12-29B implements California's Cottage Food Law (Homemade Food Act) with extra zoning rules: operations limited to the registered/permitted kitchen and adjoining rooms, direct sales and deliveries only 7:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m., and no more than 20…
Santa Maria requires anyone running a business from a home within city limits to file a signed Home Occupation Regulations form with Community Development AND hold a valid City business license before starting.
Santa Maria limits customer traffic for home businesses. The business must not generate traffic exceeding normal residential levels.
Home occupations are permitted in Santa Maria's residential districts (R-1, RA, RSL-1, R-2, etc.) but only as a use 'clearly incidental' to the dwelling - no customers on site, no on-premises sales, no commercial deliveries, no employees outside the resident family, and only one…
Santa Maria flatly prohibits any signs for home occupations and forbids advertising that uses the home address - the only exception is a listing in the telephone directory.
Under Santa Barbara County Land Use & Development Code Section 35.42.090, small and large family day care homes are treated as residential uses, consistent with California state law. Providers need a state license (or exemption) from the Department of Social Services, and large…
Santa Maria Municipal Code Section 8-10.33 prohibits runoff irrigation, hosing of driveways and sidewalks, washing vehicles with an un-nozzled hose, and operating non-recirculating decorative fountains. In June 2022 the City Council enacted Stage 2 of the Water Shortage…
Chapter 5-8 of the Santa Maria Municipal Code authorizes the City to declare overgrown weeds, vines, shrubs, brush, and hazardous debris on private property to be a public nuisance, post a 10-day notice to abate, hold a public hearing on objections, and — if not abated — perform…
Santa Maria regulates tree removal through its municipal code. Significant trees and street trees may require permits before removal. Replacement planting may be required.
Santa Maria's Municipal Code does not set a numeric grass-height limit; instead Chapter 5-8 (Weeds and Rubbish on Private Property) and the property-nuisance article (5-6.202) treat overgrown grass and weeds that become a fire menace when dry, or otherwise dangerous to health…
Under Santa Maria Municipal Code Chapter 8-8 (Urban Forestry), a permit from the Director of Recreation and Parks is required before anyone may spray, prune, trim, fertilize, plant, transplant, or remove any street tree, vine, shrub, or flower, or trench within the foliage drip…
Rooftop rainwater harvesting is broadly allowed in unincorporated Santa Barbara County. No County ordinance prohibits rain barrels, which are exempt from permitting under California's Rainwater Capture Act, while larger cistern and conveyance systems must meet California…
Santa Barbara County encourages native and low-water-use plants and incentivizes them through rebates, but does not mandate native planting on existing private yards. Through the State Model WELO, qualifying new and rehabilitated landscapes must meet water-budget limits that…
Under California's SB 1383, unincorporated Santa Barbara County residents must divert organic waste from the trash. Backyard composting is allowed and actively encouraged as an alternative, and the County offers discounted compost bins, workshops and free guidance through its…
Santa Barbara County has no specific ordinance banning or broadly permitting synthetic lawn. Artificial turf is treated through the building, zoning and fire codes: in wildfire defensible-space Zone 0 (the first 5 feet around a structure) combustible landscape materials are…
Sound-amplifying equipment is regulated in residential zones under Chapter 5-5, and Chapter 6-6 (Party Disturbances) makes hosting a party with sound 'plainly audible' at 50 feet or across a property line a citable offense with police-response cost recovery.
Santa Maria Municipal Code Chapter 5-5 sets ambient base noise levels that drop at night in residential zones, with a violation found when the level exceeds the standard for set durations within an hour.
Aircraft noise is federally preempted by the FAA; Santa Maria Public Airport District runs a voluntary noise advisory program using California's 65 dB CNEL significance threshold and refers safety complaints to the FAA Flight Standards District Office.
Barking dogs in Santa Maria are treated as 'unmeasurable nuisance noise' under Chapter 5-5 and as a Good Neighbor Rules issue under Chapter 4-7, with persistent barking handled by Santa Barbara County Animal Services.
Santa Maria limits residential-zone construction noise under Chapter 5-5, with a construction-noise permit required from the Noise Control Officer when work exceeds the Chapter 5-5 standards, and a household-equipment carve-out for limited daytime hours.
Unincorporated Santa Barbara County has no ordinance banning or restricting gas-powered leaf blowers. The well-known leaf-blower ban (a 1997 ordinance) applies inside the City of Santa Barbara only. In unincorporated areas, leaf-blower use is allowed, subject to general…
Santa Barbara County does not have its own vehicle-noise ordinance for unincorporated roads; vehicle exhaust and amplified car-sound noise are governed by the California Vehicle Code. Vehicle Code 27007 bars car stereos audible 50+ feet away, and 27150/27151 require adequate…
Santa Barbara County's only numeric noise threshold in the nighttime ordinance is in Sec. 40-2: sound is 'loud and unreasonable' if it exceeds 60 decibels at the edge of the property line, or is clearly discernible 100 feet from the property line, during protected nighttime…
In Isla Vista, County Code Sec. 6-70 defines 'outdoor festivals' and Sec. 6-70.01-.02 prohibit large amplified gatherings. Outdoor festivals over 250 attendees on Isla Vista residential property are prohibited at all times, and ticketed or alcohol-selling events are misdemeanors.
Santa Barbara County has no standalone industrial-noise decibel ordinance in the nighttime noise chapter. Industrial and commercial noise is controlled mainly through land-use permits, the General Plan Noise Element compatibility standards, and project conditions of approval…
Santa Maria has no city-wide overnight curfew on ordinary cars parked on residential streets. The 72-hour rule applies to all vehicles, and Section 7-5.18 imposes an 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. ban on trucks, buses, and CVC-defined vehicles parked longer than 30 minutes in residential…
Santa Maria Section 7-5.18 prohibits any CVC-defined vehicle, including a bus, from parking in residential districts between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. for more than 30 minutes. Section 7-5.04.1 bans parking any vehicle (including RVs) on a public street for more than 2 hours when…
Vehicles in Santa Maria driveways must not block sidewalks or extend into the public right-of-way. Driveway modifications require permits from the Public Works Department.
Santa Maria Municipal Code Title 7, Chapter 7-5 prohibits parking any vehicle in one location on any street, alley, or City-owned property (including City parks and parking structures) for more than 72 consecutive hours. Vehicles exceeding the limit may be impounded under…
Santa Maria's 72-hour limit and Section 7-5.17 (Long Vehicles) restrict RV, boat, and trailer parking on streets, while Section 12-32.27 prohibits parking any vehicle in the front yard or street-side yard setback except on a paved driveway. Maximum 50% of front-yard area or…
A vehicle left on a county road more than 72 hours can be removed as abandoned under California Vehicle Code 22651(k). State law (CVC 22660-22669) lets the County abate abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, or inoperative vehicles as a public nuisance, including on private property…
California Vehicle Code 22507 lets Santa Barbara County restrict parking of vehicles six feet or more in height within 100 feet of an intersection, but only where signs are posted. The County also caps buses, trucks, and tractors in residential districts at two hours unless…
Santa Barbara County Ordinance 5163 (Sec. 12A-25) makes it unlawful to park in a designated EV charging stall in a County parking lot unless the vehicle is an electric vehicle that is actively charging. Overnight parking for EV charging at County stations is allowed (Sec…
Santa Barbara County may establish loading zones by Board resolution and regulates truck loading zones under County Code (Sec. 23-11 and Sec. 23-305). California curb-color law (CVC 21458) marks yellow curbs for loading and white curbs for brief passenger loading. Loading zones…
Curb colors in unincorporated Santa Barbara County follow California Vehicle Code 21458: red means no stopping, yellow is loading only, white is brief passenger loading, green is time-limited parking, and blue is disabled parking. Only the County installs regulatory curb…
Above-ground pools in Santa Maria must meet California barrier requirements. Pools with walls under 60 inches need additional fencing. Pools must be setback at least 10 feet from the front property line.
Santa Maria requires swimming pools to be enclosed by a barrier at least 5 feet high per California Building Code. Gates must be self-closing and self-latching.
Santa Maria follows California building code for pool safety. Pools require permits, anti-entrapment drain covers, and approved safety features per state law.
In unincorporated Santa Barbara County, a building permit from the Planning & Development Building & Safety Division is required to construct or remodel a residential swimming pool or spa. The Building & Safety Division enforces the California Building and Residential Codes plus…
Spas and hot tubs in unincorporated Santa Barbara County are accessory structures that must keep at least five feet from any property line under the County Land Use & Development Code. State law (Health & Safety Code 115922) allows a listed safety cover to count as a…
Santa Maria participates in the NFIP and regulates development in FEMA flood zones. The Santa Maria River floodplain is a primary flood hazard area. Construction in flood zones requires elevation and special building standards.
Santa Barbara County has roughly 110 miles of Pacific coastline (the Gaviota Coast, Refugio, El Capitan, Goleta, Hope Ranch coastal areas, Mesa, Mission Canyon coastal slopes, Montecito coastal, Summerland coastal, Carpinteria coastal, Rincon Point). Almost all development in…
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.
Grilling rules in unincorporated Santa Barbara County come from the adopted California Fire Code, not a special county BBQ ordinance. Charcoal grills and LP-gas grills with a container over 2.5 pounds water capacity may not be operated on combustible balconies or within 10 feet…
A BBQ smoker is treated as cooking, not open burning, so it needs no burn permit in unincorporated Santa Barbara County. Under the adopted California Fire Code, a charcoal or wood smoker is an open-flame cooking device and may not be operated on a combustible multifamily balcony…
Building setbacks in unincorporated Santa Barbara County are set by the zone (Article 35.2) and measured under LUDC Section 35.30.150. They vary widely - for example, R-1/E-1 front setbacks of 50 ft from road centerline and 20 ft from the right-of-way, with side and rear…
Maximum structure height in unincorporated Santa Barbara County is set by the zone and measured under LUDC Section 35.30.090. Common residential limits are 25 feet in the Coastal Zone and 35 feet inland (R-1/E-1, R-2), 35 feet in RR, and 30 feet inland for EX-1…
Maximum lot coverage in unincorporated Santa Barbara County is set by zone in the LUDC's development-standards tables. Many residential zones (R-1/E-1, R-2) set no fixed coverage cap, while DR and PRD limit dwelling structures to 30% (PRD up to 50% for all structures) and SLP…
An Oak Tree Removal Permit is required to remove protected valley or blue oaks above acreage-based thresholds in the inland rural unincorporated County, under Article IX of Chapter 35 (Deciduous Oak Tree Protection and Regeneration). Permitted removals trigger replacement…
California provides statewide protections for native oak woodlands and heritage trees through CEQA review, Public Resources Code, and Forest Practice Rules that apply uniformly.
In unincorporated Santa Barbara County, accumulations of combustible waste and rubbish that the fire code official determines to be a fire hazard are prohibited on any yard, vacant lot, or open space under County Fire Code Chapter 15 (Section 304.1.1). Broader blight is…
Unincorporated Santa Barbara County does not set a single statewide-style screening rule for residential carts, but the Land Use & Development Code (Section 35.24.050) requires trash and outdoor storage areas in commercial zones to be enclosed and screened to conceal them from…
Vacant lots in unincorporated Santa Barbara County must be kept clear of fire hazards. Under the County Fire Code (Chapter 15), combustible waste, weeds, and rubbish may not remain on a vacant lot when deemed a fire hazard (Section 304.1.1), and the Fire Hazard Abatement program…
Unincorporated Santa Barbara County does not set a fixed lawn-height limit. Instead, under County Fire Code Section 304.1.2, weeds, grass, and other growth that can be ignited and endanger property must be cut down and removed by the owner or occupant when determined to be a…
Unincorporated Santa Barbara County does not have a dedicated countywide garage-sale permit ordinance in its Land Use & Development Code. Occasional residential yard sales are generally treated as an accessory residential activity, but sales must not become a continuing retail…
In unincorporated Santa Barbara County, trash, recycling, and organics collection is provided through a County franchise. As of July 1, 2024, MarBorg Industries is the franchise hauler for all unincorporated zones. Residential trash is collected weekly, and carts must be at the…
Unincorporated Santa Barbara County residents served by MarBorg receive four free bulky-item clean-ups per year, with up to five items per pickup. Items must be brought to the roadside by 6:00 a.m. on the scheduled day. Construction debris, hazardous waste, and large vessels…
In unincorporated Santa Barbara County, the franchise hauler MarBorg sets the curbside placement rules: carts must be at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on the collection day and removed from the roadway within 12 hours after collection. Backyard-service containers must stay in the same…
Recycling service is provided to unincorporated Santa Barbara County residents and businesses through the County franchise with MarBorg, and recycling carts are included with service. California's mandatory commercial recycling laws (AB 341) and SB 1383 require businesses and…
California SB 1383 (effective January 1, 2022) requires organic waste recycling statewide. In unincorporated Santa Barbara County, compliance varies by region: South Coast, Santa Ynez Valley, and Cuyama residents keep food scraps in the trash because the Tajiguas ReSource Center…
The unincorporated Santa Barbara County sign code (LUDC Chapter 35.38) does not create a separate political-sign category; temporary political signs on private property are protected speech subject to general sign standards. On state highway right-of-way, California Bus. & Prof…
The unincorporated Santa Barbara County sign code (LUDC Chapter 35.38) has no dedicated garage-sale-sign category. Such temporary signs follow the general sign standards, must stay out of the public right-of-way, and cannot be posted on utility poles or county signs.
Under the Land Use & Development Code (Section 35.30.120), all exterior lighting in the unincorporated County must be hooded, with no unobstructed beam directed toward residential areas, and must not interfere with street traffic. The County also pursued a 2025 outdoor-lighting…
The unincorporated County's lighting rule (LUDC Section 35.30.120) directly addresses light trespass by prohibiting any unobstructed beam of exterior light from being directed toward residential-zoned or residential-developed areas, and requiring all exterior lighting to be…
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…
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 HOAs may levy regular and special assessments, charge late fees and interest, record liens, and ultimately foreclose on delinquent owners under the Davis-Stirling Act. State law (Civil Code sections 5650-5740) caps fees and interest and imposes strict notice steps and…
California tightly regulates HOA governance. The Common Interest Development Open Meeting Act (Civil Code 4900-4955) governs board meetings and member access, sections 5100-5145 mandate secret-ballot elections with independent inspectors, and sections 5200-5240 give members…
California HOAs enforce recorded CC&Rs and architectural rules, but Civil Code section 4765 requires architectural decisions to be fair, reasonable, and in good faith, and sections 5900-5965 require internal dispute resolution plus an attempt at alternative dispute resolution…
California HOAs may fine members for rule violations, but only under a published schedule of fines and after strict due-process steps. Civil Code section 5855 requires written notice and a hearing before any monetary penalty, and section 5725 bars fines from becoming a…
California overrides HOA governing documents on several owner protections. The Davis-Stirling Act and related Civil Code sections bar HOAs from prohibiting solar systems, U.S. flag displays, drought-tolerant landscaping, EV charging stations, and most noncommercial signs, even…
California prohibits state and local governments from requiring private employers to use the federal E-Verify system except where federal law mandates it, under Government Code 7285.1 and 7285.3. The restriction applies uniformly to every California city and county.
The California Values Act (SB 54, 2017) codified at Government Code 7284-7284.12 limits state and local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities. It applies uniformly to every California agency and bars participation in most civil immigration enforcement.
California evictions run through the unlawful detainer process. Under Code of Civil Procedure § 1161, nonpayment requires a 3-day notice to pay rent or quit (excluding weekends and holidays), and lease violations require a 3-day notice to cure or quit. No-fault terminations of…
California landlords must keep rentals fit to live in. Civil Code §§ 1941 and 1941.1, reinforced by Green v. Superior Court, imply a warranty of habitability covering plumbing, heat, water, electricity, and sanitation. If repairs fail after notice, a tenant may repair and deduct…
Civil Code 1946.2 requires landlords statewide to have just cause to terminate tenancies of qualifying tenants who have lived in a covered unit at least 12 months.
California Civil Code § 1954 limits when a landlord may enter a rented home. Except in emergencies, abandonment, or with tenant consent, the landlord must give reasonable written notice (24 hours is presumed reasonable) and may enter only during normal business hours, for…
California sets no fixed dollar or percentage cap on rent late fees, but a late fee in a residential lease is treated as liquidated damages. Under Civil Code § 1671, such a fee is valid only if it reasonably estimates the landlord's actual loss from late payment; arbitrary…
To end a California month-to-month tenancy, a tenant gives 30 days' written notice. A landlord gives 30 days if the tenant has lived there under a year, or 60 days if a year or more, under Civ. Code § 1946.1. AB 1482 requires just cause after 12 months; military and DV tenants…
California limits annual rent increases statewide to 5% plus the local change in the cost of living, capped at 10%, under the Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (AB-1482). It also lets cities and counties enact their own stricter rent-control ordinances, subject to the limits of the…
California requires written notice before raising a month-to-month tenant's rent. Under Civ. Code § 827, increases of 10% or less in 12 months need 30 days' notice; increases above 10% need 90 days' notice. AB 1482 separately caps yearly increases on covered units.
As of July 1, 2024, California landlords may collect no more than one month's rent as a security deposit, regardless of whether the unit is furnished. The deposit, minus any lawful deductions, must be returned with an itemized statement within 21 days after move-out, or the…
California adverse possession requires five years of continuous, open, hostile possession AND payment of all property taxes during that period under Code of Civil Procedure § 325. A squatter or trespasser who has not paid taxes gains no ownership and can be removed by unlawful…
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…
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.