API · coverage by topic
What local law the API covers
The API searches the whole municipal, zoning and planning code of each of 540 California cities and counties — not a summary of it. Below are 38 of the topics those codes regulate, in six groups, with how many jurisdictions' codes have a chapter, article or section on each.
Land use and development
What can be built, where, and how big — the rules every property question starts with.
| Topic | Cities & counties |
|---|---|
| Zoning districts and permitted uses | 540 |
| Signs | 538 |
| Subdivisions and parcel maps | 533 |
| Trees | 492 |
| Density bonus | 425 |
| Historic preservation and landmarks | 409 |
| Development impact fees | 389 |
| Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) | 386 |
| Inclusionary and affordable housing | 352 |
| Urban lot splits and two-unit projects (SB 9) | 218 |
Example results
Query: “accessory dwelling unit maximum size” · us-ca-san-jose
20.80.175 - General.
Query: “density bonus concessions” · us-ca-los-angeles
Sec. 15.4.1. Density Bonus Program Fees
Housing and rentals
Short-term rentals, rent and eviction rules, and the uses people run from home.
| Topic | Cities & counties |
|---|---|
| Mobilehome parks | 414 |
| Home occupations | 384 |
| Short-term and vacation rentals, home-sharing | 210 |
| Rent stabilization, just cause and tenant protection | 156 |
| Tenant relocation assistance | 114 |
Example results
Query: “short-term rental permit host requirements” · us-ca-santa-monica
§ 6.20.021. Home-sharing permit conditions.
Query: “just cause eviction relocation assistance” · us-ca-oakland
8.22.450 - Relocation payments.
Building, grading and public works
Local amendments to the state codes and the permits for work on a site or in the street.
| Topic | Cities & counties |
|---|---|
| Encroachment and right-of-way permits | 512 |
| Grading, erosion and stormwater | 498 |
| Local building code adoption and amendments | 480 |
| Local fire code adoption and amendments | 443 |
| Water conservation | 443 |
Example results
Query: “grading permit required” · us-ca-irvine
Sec. 5-10-116. - Permit application.
Query: “encroachment permit for work in the public right-of-way” · us-ca-sacramento
12.40.040 Permits required for improvements in public right-of-way.
Business licensing and local taxes
What a business needs to open and operate in a city, and the local taxes it collects or pays.
| Topic | Cities & counties |
|---|---|
| Business licenses and business taxes | 523 |
| Transient occupancy (hotel) tax | 458 |
| Real property transfer tax | 422 |
| Special events | 337 |
| Filming permits | 198 |
| Utility users tax | 117 |
Example results
Query: “business license tax rates” · us-ca-fresno
Sec. 7-1304. - Special Business License Tax.
Query: “transient occupancy tax rate” · us-ca-anaheim
2.12.010 Transient Occupancy Tax Imposed.
Regulated businesses
Businesses a city licenses or restricts by type, location or hours.
| Topic | Cities & counties |
|---|---|
| Cannabis | 510 |
| Sidewalk and street vending | 494 |
| Tobacco and smoking | 492 |
| Alcohol sales | 489 |
| Massage and adult businesses | 411 |
| Mobile food vendors | 213 |
Example results
Query: “cannabis retail storefront permit” · us-ca-oakland
5.80.020 - Business permit and application required.
Query: “sidewalk vending permit” · us-ca-los-angeles
Sec. 42.13. Sidewalk and Park Vending Program.
Public order and environment
The everyday rules — noise, nuisances, animals, parking and waste — that apply to every property and business.
| Topic | Cities & counties |
|---|---|
| Nuisances and property maintenance | 538 |
| Animals | 538 |
| Parking | 538 |
| Solid waste and recycling | 534 |
| Firearms and weapons | 515 |
| Noise | 499 |
Example results
Query: “construction noise hours” · us-ca-sacramento
8.68.060 Exterior noise standards.
Query: “dog leash requirements” · us-ca-san-diego
§63.20.12 Dogs Prohibited
How these numbers are counted
- A jurisdiction counts for a topic when its current code has a chapter, article or section whose heading names the topic. It shows the code addresses the subject — not what the rule says, which varies by city.
- Counts were measured on 2026-10-08 across 540 California cities and counties, and are rounded down when quoted elsewhere.
- The API is not limited to these topics: a search runs over the whole text of each code. These are the subjects software teams ask about most.
- State law, federal housing law and Title 24 building codes are not counted here; they are coming to the API next.
Look up a specific city or county on the coverage page.