Earlier editions: 2026-07
Municipal code
Carmel-by-the-Sea Municipal Code
The enacted municipal code of Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, as published — every title, chapter, and section, verbatim and citable.
- Last updated
- 2026-10-04
- Contents
- 16 titles · 1,657 sections
- Jurisdiction
- Carmel-by-the-Sea
Contents
▸Title 2 — Administration and Personnel
Overview- Chapter 2.04 — CITY COUNCIL
- Chapter 2.08 — CITY ADMINISTRATOR
- Chapter 2.12 — CITY FUNDS
- Chapter 2.16 — OFFICIAL BONDS
- Chapter 2.20 — FIRE DEPARTMENT
- Chapter 2.24 — DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
- Chapter 2.28 — COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES COMMISSION
- Chapter 2.32 — FOREST AND BEACH COMMISSION
- Chapter 2.36 — PLANNING COMMISSION
- Chapter 2.37 — CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA ART BOARD
- Chapter 2.40 — PEACE OFFICER STANDARDS AND TRAINING
- Chapter 2.42 — PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCHERS
- Chapter 2.44 — POLICE RESERVE
- Chapter 2.48 — LAW ENFORCEMENT MUTUAL AID PLAN
▸Chapter 2.52 — PERSONNEL SYSTEM
Overview- Article I — Code of Ethics
- Article II — Position Classification Plan
- Article III — Types of Positions/employment Status
- Article IV — Recruitment, Selection and Appointment
- Article V — Training and Observation Period
- Article VI — Promotion, Transfer, Voluntary Demotion
- Article VII — Separations
- Article VIII — Performance Evaluations
- Article IX — Disciplinary Actions
- Article X — Grievances and Their Resolution
- Article XI — Salaries, Benefits, and Leaves
- Article XII — Personnel Records and Policies
- Article XIII — Workers' Compensation
- Chapter 2.56 — RETIREMENT SYSTEM
- Chapter 2.60 — FILING DOCUMENTS
- Chapter 2.64 — EMERGENCY ORGANIZATION
- Chapter 2.68 — EMERGENCY CURFEWS
- Chapter 2.72 — PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD
- Chapter 2.73 — MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS
- Chapter 2.74 — HISTORIC RESOURCES BOARD
▸Title 3 — Revenue and Finance
Overview- Chapter 3.04 — FISCAL PROCEDURES
- Chapter 3.06 — BUDGET PROCEDURES
- Chapter 3.08 — FUNDS
▸Chapter 3.12 — PURCHASING SYSTEM
Overview- Article I — General Regulations
- Article II — Surplus Property
- Article III — Supplies/General Services – Open Market Purchases/Purchases Under $60,000
- Article IV — Supplies/General Services – Formal Bid Procedures/Purchases of $60,000 or More
- Article V — Federal Requirements
- Article VI — Prohibitions
- Article VII — Local Business Policy
- Chapter 3.16 — ACCOUNTING, SALES AND EXCHANGE OF PROPERTY
- Chapter 3.20 — TRANSFER OF TAX FUNCTIONS TO COUNTY
- Chapter 3.24 — REAL PROPERTY TRANSFER TAX
▸Chapter 3.28 — SALES AND USE TAX
- Chapter 3.32 — TRANSIENT OCCUPANCY TAX
- Chapter 3.36 — REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT IMPACT FEE
▸Title 5 — Business Taxes, Licenses and Regulations
Overview- Chapter 5.04 — GENERAL LICENSING PROVISIONS
- Chapter 5.08 — DEFINITIONS AND INDEX OF GENERAL BUSINESS CLASSIFICATIONS AND TAX RATE
- Chapter 5.12 — APPROVAL, SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION OF BUSINESS LICENSES
- Chapter 5.16 — BINGO GAMES
- Chapter 5.20 — CLOSING-OUT SALES
- Chapter 5.24 — GARAGE, ESTATE AND RUMMAGE SALES
- Chapter 5.28 — FILMING
- Chapter 5.36 — WALKING TOURS
- Chapter 5.48 — SLOT MACHINES
- Chapter 5.52 — SOLICITORS AND PEDDLERS
- Chapter 5.56 — TOBACCO RETAILER LICENSE
▸Title 6 — Animals
▸Title 8 — Health and Safety
Overview- Chapter 8.04 — HEALTH PERMITS
- Chapter 8.08 — FOOD CONTAMINATION
- Chapter 8.16 — SOLID WASTE AND MATERIALS RECOVERY
- Chapter 8.20 — ANIMAL WASTES
- Chapter 8.24 — PUBLIC WASTE CONTAINERS
- Chapter 8.28 — FIRE DISTRICT AND ZONES
- Chapter 8.30 — LAW ENFORCEMENT MILITARY EQUIPMENT FUNDING, ACQUISITION, AND USE ORDINANCE
- Chapter 8.36 — SMOKING REGULATIONS FOR PUBLIC PLACES
- Chapter 8.40 — SMOKING PROHIBITED ON BUSES
- Chapter 8.44 — PERMITS FOR WEARING CERTAIN SHOES
- Chapter 8.48 — ABANDONED VEHICLES
- Chapter 8.52 — REGULATION OF INSTALLATION AND OPERATION OF INTRUSION ALARMS
- Chapter 8.56 — NOISE REGULATION
- Chapter 8.60 — HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES
- Chapter 8.68 — ENVIRONMENTALLY ACCEPTABLE MATERIALS
- Chapter 8.74 — SINGLE-USE PLASTIC CARRYOUT BAGS
▸Title 9 — Public Peace, Morals and Welfare
Overview- Chapter 9.16 — ENTERTAINMENT IN LIQUOR ESTABLISHMENTS
- Chapter 9.20 — PUBLIC CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
- Chapter 9.28 — TRESPASS ON BUSINESS PROPERTY
- Chapter 9.32 — FLOODLIGHTS
- Chapter 9.36 — RADIO INTERFERENCE
- Chapter 9.40 — AUTOMATIC TELEPHONE CALLING DEVICES
- Chapter 9.44 — DISTRIBUTION OF HANDBILLS
- Chapter 9.52 — CURFEW FOR MINORS
- Chapter 9.60 — DISCHARGING WEAPONS
- Chapter 9.70 — PATROL SERVICE
- Chapter 9.80 — TAXICABS
- Chapter 9.90 — CONTRACT PATROL TOWING
▸Title 10 — Vehicles and Traffic
Overview▸Division I — TRAFFIC CODE
Overview- Chapter 10.04 — DEFINITIONS
- Chapter 10.08 — OBEDIENCE TO REGULATIONS
- Chapter 10.12 — SPEED LIMITS
- Chapter 10.16 — TRAFFIC-CONTROL DEVICES AND SIGNALS
- Chapter 10.20 — TURNING MOVEMENTS
- Chapter 10.24 — ONE-WAY STREETS
- Chapter 10.28 — SPECIAL STOPS
- Chapter 10.32 — STOPPING, STANDING AND PARKING
- Chapter 10.36 — LOADING AND UNLOADING
- Chapter 10.40 — MISCELLANEOUS DRIVING RULES
- Chapter 10.44 — TRUCK ROUTES
- Chapter 10.48 — TOUR BUSES
- Chapter 10.52 — PEDESTRIANS
- Chapter 10.56 — PARADE PERMITS
▸Title 12 — Streets, Sidewalks and Public Places
Overview- Chapter 12.04 — SIDEWALK CONSTRUCTION AND REPAIR
- Chapter 12.08 — ENCROACHMENTS
- Chapter 12.12 — OBSTRUCTION OF STREETS AND SIDEWALKS
- Chapter 12.16 — EXCAVATIONS
- Chapter 12.20 — STORM WATER UTILITY
- Chapter 12.24 — DRIVEWAYS
- Chapter 12.28 — TREES AND SHRUBS
- Chapter 12.32 — CONDUCT ON PUBLIC PROPERTY
- Chapter 12.36 — CAMPING ON PUBLIC LANDS
- Chapter 12.40 — NEWSRACK PLACEMENT
- Chapter 12.44 — CONSTRUCTION ADJACENT TO PUBLIC WAYS
- Chapter 12.46 — SIDEWALK VENDING PROGRAM
- Chapter 12.48 — SPECIAL EVENTS ORDINANCE
- Chapter 12.50 — PICKLEBALL AND OTHER PADDLE SPORTS PROHIBITED IN FOREST HILL PARK
▸Title 14 — Seismic Hazards
▸Title 15 — Buildings and Construction
Overview- Chapter 15.04 — ADMINISTRATION OF BUILDING CODES
- Chapter 15.08 — BUILDING CODE
- Chapter 15.10 — RESIDENTIAL CODE
- Chapter 15.13 — BUILDING SECURITY
- Chapter 15.16 — BUILDING MOVING
- Chapter 15.17 — STREET DAMAGE
- Chapter 15.18 — SITE DRAINAGE
- Chapter 15.19 — CONSTRUCTION SITE MAINTENANCE
- Chapter 15.20 — MECHANICAL CODE
- Chapter 15.24 — PLUMBING CODE
- Chapter 15.28 — WATER CONSERVATION
- Chapter 15.36 — ELECTRICAL CODE
- Chapter 15.38 — SMALL RESIDENTIAL ROOFTOP SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM REVIEW PROCESS
- Chapter 15.40 — ANTENNAS AND SATELLITE DISHES
- Chapter 15.44 — UNDERGROUND CONNECTIONS FOR COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS
- Chapter 15.52 — CONSTRUCTION WORK ON CITY BUILDINGS
- Chapter 15.53 — DECONSTRUCTION, DEMOLITION AND CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL RECOVERY AND DIVERSION FR…
- Chapter 15.54 — GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE
- Chapter 15.55 — CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE
- Chapter 15.56 — COMMUNITY FLOODPLAIN
- Chapter 15.57 — PROPERTY NUISANCES
▸Title 17 — Zoning
Overview▸Division I — GENERAL REGULATIONS
▸Division II — BASE ZONING DISTRICTS
Overview- Chapter 17.08 — RESIDENTIAL ZONING DISTRICTS
- Chapter 17.10 — R-1 DISTRICT DESIGN REGULATIONS
- Chapter 17.12 — R-4 DISTRICT DESIGN REGULATIONS
- Chapter 17.14 — COMMERCIAL ZONING DISTRICTS
▸Chapter 17.18 — PUBLIC AND QUASI-PUBLIC DISTRICTS
▸Division III — OVERLAY AND COMMUNITY PLAN DISTRICTS
Overview▸Chapter 17.20 — OVERLAY DISTRICTS
Overview- Article I — General Provisions
- Article II — AS Archaeological Significance Overlay District
- Article III — Park Overlay District
- Article IV — Beach and Riparian Overlay District
- Article V — Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Area Overlay District
- Article VI — Annexed County Lots Overlay District
- Article VII — Downtown Conservation District
- Chapter 17.22 — COMMUNITY PLAN DISTRICTS AND SPECIFIC PLANS
▸Division IV — PROVISIONS APPLYING IN ALL OR SEVERAL DISTRICTS
Overview- Chapter 17.28 — GENERAL SITE REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS FOR SPECIFIC USES
- Chapter 17.30 — DEMOLITION OF BUILDINGS
- Chapter 17.32 — HISTORIC PRESERVATION
- Chapter 17.34 — LANDSCAPING
- Chapter 17.36 — NONCONFORMING USES AND BUILDINGS
- Chapter 17.38 — OFF-STREET PARKING REQUIREMENTS
- Chapter 17.40 — SIGNS
- Chapter 17.42 — STORMWATER QUALITY AND UTILITY
- Chapter 17.43 — WATER QUALITY PROTECTION ORDINANCE
- Chapter 17.44 — SUBDIVISIONS AND LOT LINE ADJUSTMENTS
- Chapter 17.46 — TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND WIRELESS FACILITIES
- Chapter 17.48 — TREES AND SHRUBS
- Chapter 17.50 — WATER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
▸Division V — PROCESSES AND AUTHORITIES
Overview- Chapter 17.52 — PERMIT PROCEDURES
- Chapter 17.53 — CANNABIS
- Chapter 17.54 — APPEALS
- Chapter 17.56 — RESTRICTED COMMERCIAL USES
- Chapter 17.58 — DESIGN REVIEW
- Chapter 17.60 — ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
- Chapter 17.62 — RECLASSIFICATIONS AND AMENDMENTS
- Chapter 17.64 — FINDINGS REQUIRED FOR PERMITS AND APPROVALS
- Chapter 17.66 — ENFORCEMENT
▸Division VI — CLASSIFICATIONS, TERMS AND DEFINITIONS
▸Title 18 — Enforcement
Overview▸Chapter 18.04 — MUNICIPAL CODE AND ORDINANCE ENFORCEMENT
- Title SR — Statutory References for California Cities
- Title OL — Ordinance List and Disposition Table