Carmel-by-the-Sea · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Carmel-by-the-Sea

Carmel-by-the-Sea limits the size and number of accessory buildings on a building site. Guesthouses and accessory dwelling units follow their own limits.

Ask about building on your lot in Carmel-by-the-Sea See coverage

Key points

Accessory size: City rule: each accessory building or structure is limited to 400 square feet of floor area, with at most 2 per building site.
Combined structures: Two accessory structures combined into one are limited to 75% of the primary structure's floor area.

Each rule below is marked Carmel-by-the-Sea code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Carmel-by-the-Sea code City rule: each accessory building or structure is limited to 400 square feet of floor area, with at most 2 per building site. Two accessory structures combined into one are limited to 75% of the primary structure's floor area.

All 3 Carmel-by-the-Sea rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →

Solar panels and EV chargers

Carmel-by-the-Sea code What Carmel-by-the-Sea's code adds
Solar height and setbacks	The panel or module array cannot be taller than the maximum legal building height. Applies: To qualify as a small residential rooftop solar system for expedited review. § 15.38.010 · code text A solar panel or module array that does not exceed the maximum legal building height as defined by the authority having jurisdiction.
Solar permit process	Apply in person, by mail or electronically (email, Internet or fax), with the required permit processing and inspection fees. Applies: Applies to small residential rooftop solar energy systems. § 15.38.010 · code text The applicant may submit the permit application and associated documentation to the City's building division by personal, mailed, or electronic submittal together with any required permit processing and inspection fees. Administrative approval and all required permits once the application is confirmed complete and meets the checklist. Applies: Small residential rooftop solar systems eligible for expedited review. § 15.38.010 · code text Upon confirmation by the Building Official of the application and supporting documentation being complete and meeting the requirements of the checklist, the Building Official shall administratively approve the application and issue all required permits or authorizations.

Tree removal

Carmel-by-the-Sea code The building permit can be suspended. Trees that must be kept or planted under a removal permit may not be moved without a valid permit.

All 4 Carmel-by-the-Sea rules on tree removal, with the code text →

Pets, chickens and bees

Carmel-by-the-Sea code Yes, up to 2 hens per building site; no roosters. Pigs are prohibited; barnyard fowl are prohibited except chicken hens.

All 4 Carmel-by-the-Sea rules on pets, chickens and bees, with the code text →

Building in a flood zone

Carmel-by-the-Sea code What Carmel-by-the-Sea's code adds
Floodplain permit	You need a development permit before any construction or development, including manufactured homes, in a special flood hazard area. Applies: The application must include plans showing structures, storage, utilities, grading, fill, drainage, floodway location, base flood elevation information and proposed elevations. § 15.56.130 · code text A development permit shall be obtained before any construction or other development, including manufactured homes, within any area of special flood hazard established in CMC § 15.56.050.
Building in a floodway	No new development or fill is allowed unless all development together raises the base flood no more than 1 foot. Applies: Until a regulatory floodway is adopted, in Zones A1-A30 and AE. § 15.56.200 · code text Until a regulatory floodway is adopted, no new construction, substantial development, or other development (including fill) shall be permitted within Zones A1 – A30 and AE, unless it is demonstrated that the cumulative effect of the proposed development, when combined with all other development, will not increase the water surface elevation of the base flood more than one foot at any point within the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Fill, new buildings and other development are not allowed unless a civil engineer certifies no rise in flood levels. Applies: Within an adopted regulatory floodway. § 15.56.200 · code text Within an adopted regulatory floodway, the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea shall prohibit encroachments, including fill, new construction, substantial improvements, and other development, unless certification by a registered civil engineer is provided demonstrating that the proposed encroachment shall not result in any increase in flood levels during the occurrence of the base flood discharge.
Height of the lowest floor	The lowest floor must be at or above the base flood elevation. Applies: New or substantially improved homes in AE, AH and A1-A30 zones. § 15.56.150 · code text In AE, AH, A1 – A30 Zones, elevated to or above the base flood elevation. The lowest floor must be above the highest nearby ground, at least as high as the FIRM depth number. Applies: New or substantially improved homes in an AO zone that has a depth number on the FIRM. § 15.56.150 · code text In an AO zone, elevated above the highest adjacent grade to a height equal to or exceeding the depth number specified in feet on the FIRM, or elevated at least two feet above the highest adjacent grade if no depth number is specified. The lowest floor must be at least 2 feet above the highest nearby ground. Applies: New or substantially improved homes in an AO zone with no depth number on the FIRM. § 15.56.150 · code text In an AO zone, elevated above the highest adjacent grade to a height equal to or exceeding the depth number specified in feet on the FIRM, or elevated at least two feet above the highest adjacent grade if no depth number is specified. The lowest floor must be at or above the base flood elevation. Applies: New or substantially improved homes in an unnumbered A zone, where the FIRM shows no base flood elevation. § 15.56.150 · code text In an A Zone, without BFEs specified on the FIRM (unnumbered A Zone), elevated to or above the base flood elevation, as determined under CMC § 15.56.120(C).

Family child care homes

CA state law California law
Zoning	A small or large family child care home is a residential use and a use by right under all local ordinances, including zoning Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(a)
Business license or fee	A city or county may not charge a business license, fee or tax to run a family child care home Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(b)
Local rules	Local limits on height, setbacks, lot size, health and safety must be the same as for every other home in the same zone Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(e)
Small home	Up to eight children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there Health & Safety Code § 1596.78(c)
Large home	7 to 14 children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there Health & Safety Code § 1596.78(b)

Home alarm permits and false alarms

Carmel-by-the-Sea code An exterior audible alarm must reset to silent after no more than 5 minutes. The Chief of Police may issue a written permit for a period longer than 5 minutes.

All 4 Carmel-by-the-Sea rules on home alarm permits and false alarms, with the code text →

Trash and recycling carts

Carmel-by-the-Sea code What Carmel-by-the-Sea's code adds
Required collection service	You must obtain and maintain adequate disposal service from the City's franchise hauler. § 8.16.030 · code text The occupant of each premises within the City, or the owner of any other premises upon which solid waste may be produced or accumulated, shall obtain and maintain adequate disposal service from the City's franchise hauler, and shall be liable for and pay the full amount of all fees or charges imposed for such services.
Where carts are kept	Keep containers readily accessible to the City or franchise hauler, and not a fire hazard or public nuisance. § 8.16.030 · code text All containers shall be placed and maintained in a location readily accessible to the City, its designee, or its franchise hauler, and not constituting either a fire hazard or a public nuisance.

Historic homes

Carmel-by-the-Sea code At least 50 years old, and meeting at least one of the 4 California Register criteria. A resource under 50 years old may be eligible.

All 6 Carmel-by-the-Sea rules on historic homes, with the code text →

Other Carmel-by-the-Sea rules on this

Carmel-by-the-Sea's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.

Garage, estate and rummage sales (Ch. 5.24)
Grading bond and erosion controls (§ 15.08.200)
Construction hours (§ 15.08.180) — projects with a building permit
Noise from pool pumps, air conditioners and other equipment (§ 17.28.020)
Noise rules and quiet hours (Ch. 8.56)
Exterior lighting rules (§ 15.36.070)
Regional traffic impact fee (Ch. 3.36)

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Carmel-by-the-Sea's code: Apply in person, by mail or electronically (email, Internet or fax), with the required permit processing and inspection fees. (Applies to small residential rooftop solar energy systems.) (§ 15.38.010); Administrative approval and all required permits once the application is confirmed complete and meets the checklist. (Small residential rooftop solar systems eligible for expedited review.) (§ 15.38.010).

What are the rules for building in a Carmel-by-the-Sea flood zone?

Carmel-by-the-Sea's code: You need a development permit before any construction or development, including manufactured homes, in a special flood hazard area. (The application must include plans showing structures, storage, utilities, grading, fill, drainage, floodway location, base flood elevation information and proposed elevations.) (§ 15.56.130); The lowest floor must be at or above the base flood elevation. (New or substantially improved homes in AE, AH and A1-A30 zones.) (§ 15.56.150).

Can I run a family child care home in Carmel-by-the-Sea?

California law sets this for every city, including Carmel-by-the-Sea: Zoning: A small or large family child care home is a residential use and a use by right under all local ordinances, including zoning (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(a)); Business license or fee: A city or county may not charge a business license, fee or tax to run a family child care home (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(b)); Local rules: Local limits on height, setbacks, lot size, health and safety must be the same as for every other home in the same zone (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(e)); Small home: Up to eight children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there (Health & Safety Code § 1596.78(c)); Large home: 7 to 14 children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there (Health & Safety Code § 1596.78(b)).

When can trash carts go out to the curb in Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Carmel-by-the-Sea's code: You must obtain and maintain adequate disposal service from the City's franchise hauler. (§ 8.16.030); Keep containers readily accessible to the City or franchise hauler, and not a fire hazard or public nuisance. (§ 8.16.030).

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific Carmel-by-the-Sea property

Ask GoCodebook how these rules apply to your address and get an answer that cites the section.

Ask your question

More on Carmel-by-the-Sea

Carmel-by-the-Sea Municipal Code — full text

Renting & eviction in Carmel-by-the-Sea

Buying & selling in Carmel-by-the-Sea

Carmel-by-the-Sea overview

Zoning districts in Carmel-by-the-Sea

What you can build where in Carmel-by-the-Sea