Earlier editions: 2026-07
Municipal code
Downey Municipal Code
The enacted municipal code of Downey, California, as published — every title, chapter, and section, verbatim and citable.
- Last updated
- 2026-10-04
- Contents
- 27 articles · 2,803 sections
- Jurisdiction
- Downey
Contents
- Article CHA — Charter of the City of Downey
- Article I — NAME OF CITY
- Article II — BOUNDARIES
- Article III — SUCCESSION
- Article IV — POWERS OF CITY
- Article V — CITY COUNCIL
- Article VI — CITY MANAGER
- Article VII — OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES
- Article IX — APPOINTIVE BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
- Article X — PERSONNEL SYSTEM
- Article XI — RETIREMENT
- Article XII — FISCAL ADMINISTRATION
- Article XIII — ELECTIONS
- Article XIV — FRANCHISES
- Article XV — MISCELLANEOUS
▸Article II — Administration
Overview- Chapter 1 — CITY COUNCIL
- Chapter 2 — CITY MANAGER
- Chapter 3 — OTHER OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES
▸Chapter 4 — DEPARTMENTS, BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS OF THE CITY
▸Chapter 5 — CITY FUNDS AND RECORDS
- Chapter 6 — TAX PROCEDURE LAW
- Chapter 6.5 — VALIDATION PROCEEDINGS
- Chapter 7 — PERSONNEL SYSTEM
- Chapter 7.5 — EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATIONS
- Chapter 8 — UNCLAIMED PROPERTY AND MONEY
- Chapter 9 — PURCHASING PROCEDURE
- Chapter 9A — MISCELLANEOUS
▸Chapter 10 — DEBARMENT OF CONTRACTORS FROM CITY CONTRACTS
- Chapter 10A — PAYMENT OF PREVAILING WAGES ON PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS
- Chapter 11 — CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM REGULATIONS
- Chapter 12 — USE OF OFFICIAL CITY NAME, CITY SEALS, MOTTOS, LOGOS AND PATCHES
- Chapter 13 — ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
- Chapter 14 — COMMUNITY BENEFIT DISTRICTS
- Chapter 15 — MILITARY EQUIPMENT POLICY
▸Article III — Public Safety
Overview▸Chapter 1 — TRAFFIC REGULATIONS
Overview- Part 1 — Definitions
- Part 2 — Traffic Administration
- Part 3 — Enforcement and Obedience to Traffic Regulations
- Part 4 — Traffic Control Devices
- Part 5 — Turning Movements
- Part 6 — One-Way Streets and Alleys
- Part 7 — Special Stops Required
- Part 8 — Miscellaneous Driving Rules
- Part 9 — Pedestrians
- Part 10 — Stopping, Standing and Parking
- Part 11 — Stopping for Loading or Unloading Only
- Part 12 — Stopping, Standing and Parking Restricted
- Part 13 — Restricted Use of Certain Streets
- Chapter 2 — BICYCLES
- Chapter 3 — FIRE CODE
- Chapter 4 — HAZARDOUS MATERIALS CODE
- Chapter 5 — FIREWORKS
- Chapter 6 — WATER MAINS: FIRE HYDRANTS
- Chapter 7 — BURGLARY AND ROBBERY ALARMS
- Chapter 8 — SMOKING CONTROL
- Chapter 9 — REGISTERED SEX OFFENDER LOITERING RESTRICTION
▸Article IV — Public Welfare, Morals, and Policy
Overview- Chapter 1 — DISORDERLY CONDUCT, ETC
- Chapter 1.5 — UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CATALYTIC CONVERTER
▸Chapter 2 — ANIMALS AND POUND SERVICE
- Chapter 3 — OBSCENE LITERATURE
- Chapter 4 — GAMBLING GAMES OF CHANCE
- Chapter 4A — BINGO GAMES
- Chapter 5 — CHARITABLE SOLICITATIONS
- Chapter 6 — UNNECESSARY NOISES
- Chapter 7 — SOUND TRUCKS
- Chapter 8 — TRAFFIC HAZARDS
- Chapter 9 — HANDBILLS
- Chapter 10 — GRAFFITI
- Chapter 11 — HEALTH CODE
- Chapter 12 — FEEDING WILDLIFE
- Chapter 13 — TARGETED RESIDENTIAL PICKETING
- Chapter 14 — FOOD HANDLERS
- Chapter 15 — SPEED CONTESTS OR EXHIBITIONS OF SPEED
- Chapter 16 — UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS (DRONES)
▸Article V — Sanitation
Overview▸Chapter 1 — GARBAGE AND REFUSE, COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL
- Chapter 2 — WEED ABATEMENT
- Chapter 4 — ABANDONED VEHICLES NUISANCES
- Chapter 5 — BIOLOGICAL WASTES
- Chapter 6 — LIABILITY FOR COSTS OF RESPONSE TO HAZARDOUS WASTE OR SUBSTANCE SPILLS RELEASES AN…
- Chapter 7 — STORM WATER AND URBAN RUNOFF POLLUTION AND CONVEYANCE CONTROLS
- Chapter 8 — CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION WASTE MANAGEMENT
- Chapter 10 — MANDATORY ORGANIC WASTE DISPOSAL REDUCTION
▸Article VI — Business, Trades, and Professions
Overview- Chapter 1 — SALES AND USE TAX
- Chapter 1A — ROOM TAX
- Chapter 1B — CIGARETTE TAX
- Chapter 1C — DOCUMENTARY STAMP TAX - SALE OF REAL PROPERTY
- Chapter 1D — UTILITY USERS' TAX
- Chapter 1E — TRANSACTIONS AND USE TAX
- Chapter 1F — SUPPLEMENTAL GENERAL TRANSACTIONS AND USE TAX
▸Chapter 2 — BUSINESS LICENSES
- Chapter 3 — REVOCATION OF BUSINESS LICENSES
- Chapter 4 — PERMIT PROCEDURE
▸Chapter 5 — REGULATION OF PARTICULAR BUSINESS
Overview- Part 1 — Peddlers and Solicitors
- Part 2 — Dance Halls
- Part 2A — Hire Vehicles
- Part 3 — Pawnbrokers, Secondhand Dealers, Auto Dismantlers and Junk Dealers
- Part 3.1 — SIDEWALK VENDING
- Part 3.2 — STREET VENDING
- Part 4 — Dealers in Old Gold, Silver, Platinum or Other Precious Metal Objects
- Part 5 — Massage Establishments and Permits
- Part 6 — Private Patrols
- Part 7 — Billiard Rooms
- Part 7A — Arcades
- Part 8 — Card Rooms
- Part 9 — Figure Studios
- Part 10 — Swap Meets
- Part 11 — Publication Vending Machines
- Chapter 6 — AUCTION SALES
- Chapter 7 — FIRE AND CLOSING-OUT SALES
- Chapter 8 — FORTUNE-TELLING
- Chapter 9 — MOBILE SOURCE AIR POLLUTION REDUCTION FEES
- Chapter 10 — COMMERCIAL MOTION PICTURE AND TELEVISION PRODUCTION FILMING
- Chapter 11 — TEMPORARY FIRE/LIFE SAFETY SERVICES FOR COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES
- Chapter 12 — TOWING SERVICE FRANCHISE PROGRAM
▸Article VII — Streets and Public Works
Overview▸Chapter 1 — STREETS
Overview▸Part 1 — General
- Part 2 — Encroachments
▸Part 3 — Excavations
Overview▸§ 7148. UNDERGROUND PIPELINES.
▸Part 4 — Construction
▸Part 5 — Overloads
Overview▸§ 7182. PERMIT.
- Part 6 — Wireless Facilities in Right-Of-Way
▸Chapter 2 — SANITARY SEWERS AND INDUSTRIAL WASTE
- Chapter 3 — WATER DIVISION RATES AND REGULATIONS
- Chapter 3.5 — WATER CONSERVATION REGULATIONS AND RESTRICTIONS
- Chapter 4 — PUBLIC EASEMENTS
- Chapter 5 — UNDERGROUND FACILITIES
- Chapter 6 — STREET TREE PRESERVATION AND PROTECTION
▸Article VIII — Building Regulations
Overview- Chapter 1 — DOWNEY BUILDING CODE
- Chapter 2 — DOWNEY ELECTRICAL CODE
- Chapter 2.5 — SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS
- Chapter 3 — DOWNEY MECHANICAL CODE
- Chapter 4 — DOWNEY PLUMBING CODE
- Chapter 5 — DOWNEY HOUSING CODE
- Chapter 6 — ABATEMENT OF DANGEROUS BUILDINGS CODE FOR THE CITY OF DOWNEY
- Chapter 8 — FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT, GRADING AND PAVING
- Chapter 9 — DOWNEY HISTORICAL BUILDING CODE
- Chapter 10 — ART IN PUBLIC PLACES
- Chapter 11 — DOWNEY GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE
- Chapter 12 — DOWNEY ENERGY CODE
- Chapter 13 — DOWNEY RESIDENTIAL CODE
▸Chapter 14 — DOWNEY ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDING AND HOUSING CODE
- Chapter 15 — DOWNEY EXISTING BUILDING CODE
- Chapter 16 — DOWNEY REFERENCED STANDARDS CODE
▸Article IX — Land Use
Overview- Chapter 1 — GENERAL PROVISIONS AND DEFINITIONS
- Chapter 2 — ENFORCEMENT, LEGAL PROCEDURES AND PENALTIES
- Chapter 3 — ZONES AND STANDARDS
- Chapter 4 — REGULATIONS FOR SPECIAL USES AND STRUCTURES
- Chapter 5 — SUPPLEMENTAL REGULATIONS
- Chapter 6 — SIGNS
- Chapter 7 — PARKING
- Chapter 8 — ADMINISTRATION
- Chapter 9 — SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS
▸Article X — Parks, Playgrounds, and Recreation
- Article SR — Statutory References for California Cities
- Article OL — Ordinance List and Disposition Table