Monterey County · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Monterey County
Monterey County's code applies only in unincorporated areas of the county. It sets accessory-structure limits for LDR districts, a coastal permit rule for fences and home-business rules.
Key points
- Accessory height: County rule: accessory structures in LDR districts are limited to 15 ft unless the zoning map shows a different limit.
- Coastal fences: County rule: at existing homes in listed coastal and scenic areas, fences over 6 ft need a Coastal Development Permit.
- Home businesses: County rule: home businesses may involve only the resident and immediate family living on site; cottage food may add 1 employee.
Each rule below is marked Monterey County code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Monterey County's code applies in the unincorporated areas of the county. Cities in Monterey County have their own codes and their own pages.
Fences and walls
| Permit |
|
|---|
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
Monterey County code County rule: accessory structures in LDR districts are limited to 15 ft unless the zoning map shows a different limit.
All 5 Monterey County rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
Running a business from home
Monterey County code County rule: home businesses may involve only the resident and immediate family living on site; cottage food may add 1 employee.
All 4 Monterey County rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
Monterey County code Apply electronically; a complete application meeting the county checklist, with fees paid, gets administrative nondiscretionary review. Apply electronically; a complete application meeting the checklist and standard plans, with fees paid, gets administrative nondiscretionary review.
All 3 Monterey County rules on solar panels and EV chargers, with the code text →
Tree removal
Monterey County code Permit-free oak removal: rangeland improvement, wildlife habitat, watershed enhancement, hazardous trees, or firewood for owners and on-site residents. Emergency removal or hazard reduction allowed without other rules; report to the Director of Planning within 10 working days.
All 10 Monterey County rules on tree removal, with the code text →
Pets, chickens and bees
| Permit |
|
|---|
Grading and erosion control
| Grading without a permit |
|
|---|---|
| Rainy-season limits |
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Noise and construction hours
| Quiet hours |
|
|---|---|
| Noise limit at homes |
|
Family child care homes
| Zoning | A small or large family child care home is a residential use and a use by right under all local ordinances, including zoning |
|---|---|
| Business license or fee | A city or county may not charge a business license, fee or tax to run a family child care home |
| 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 |
| Small home | Up to eight children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there |
| Large home | 7 to 14 children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there |
Affordable units in new housing (inclusionary)
Monterey County code The owner-occupied unit is not counted in applying the inclusionary requirements. Eligible agricultural subdivisions may pay a fee in lieu of supplying units.
All 6 Monterey County rules on affordable units in new housing (inclusionary), with the code text →
Signs on homes
Monterey County code Not earlier than 60 days before the election Remove within 10 days after the election
All 8 Monterey County rules on signs on homes, with the code text →
Trash and recycling carts
| Required collection service |
|
|---|
Historic homes
Monterey County code 180 days' prior written notice to the Resource Board, completed before a demolition permit application is complete The Review Board may waive the 180-day notice on request
All 5 Monterey County rules on historic homes, with the code text →
Other Monterey County rules on this
Monterey County's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Floodplain regulations (Ch. 16.16)
- Ridgeline development in the coastal zone (§ 20.66.010) — coastal zone only
- Ridgeline development (§ 21.66.010)
- Fire mitigation fee (Ch. 10.80)
- Regional development impact fee (§ 12.90.030)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How tall can a fence be in Monterey County?
County rule: at existing homes in listed coastal and scenic areas, fences over 6 ft need a Coastal Development Permit.
What are the grading rules in Monterey County?
Monterey County's code: Excavations up to one hundred (100) cubic yards that are less than two feet deep, or that do not create a cut slope both higher than five feet and steeper than one and one-half horizontal to one vertical; earth fills up to one hundred (100) cubic yards on one site that are less than one foot deep on terrain flatter than five to one, or less than three feet deep and not supporting structures; basement and footing excavations under a valid building permit (not the fill made from them, nor an excavation left more than five feet high unsupported); casual grading up to a total of one hundred (100) cubic yards on one site (fills must not obstruct a drainage course) (§ 16.08.040); No grading over 100 cubic yards or clearing over 1 acre yearly October 15 to April 15 without Director approval. (Water supply watersheds and high erosion hazard areas. Other high-erosion sites may also be limited. The clearing limit is per site.) (§ 16.12.090).
What are the noise rules and construction hours in Monterey County?
Monterey County's code: At most 65 dBA, and 45 dBA as an hourly average (Leq). (Outdoors at night, 9:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., in unincorporated county areas.) (§ 10.60.040); 9:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. (Every day, in unincorporated county areas. No loud and unreasonable sound, such as sound plainly heard 50 feet away.) (§ 10.60.040).
Can I run a family child care home in Monterey County?
California law sets this for every city, including Monterey County: 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 Monterey County?
Monterey County's code: Mandatory for residences in designated areas, even if not requested; collected at least once a week (§ 10.41.030); Exempt if undeveloped or vacant, all waste is recycled or composted, or the driveway is long, narrow or steep (Premises in mandatory collection areas; annual approval by the Director of Health) (§ 10.41.030).
General information, not legal advice.
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