Earlier editions: 2026-07
Municipal code
Escondido Municipal Code
The enacted municipal code of Escondido, California, as published — every title, chapter, and section, verbatim and citable.
- Last updated
- 2026-10-04
- Contents
- 47 chapters · 2,975 sections
- Jurisdiction
- Escondido
Contents
- Chapter 1 — General Provisions
- Chapter 1A — Administrative Remedies
▸Chapter 2 — Administration
Overview- Article 1 — IN GENERAL
- Article 2 — CITY COUNCIL
- Article 3 — CITY MANAGER
- Article 4 — CITY ATTORNEY
- Article 4A — CITY CLERK
▸Article 4B — CITY TREASURER
- Article 5 — HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
- Article 6 — CANDIDATE'S FILING FEES AND STATEMENTS OF QUALIFICATIONS
▸Article 7 — CONTROLS ON CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS
- Article 8 — INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
- Article 9 — COUNTY HEALTH SERVICES FEES
▸Chapter 3 — Ambulances, Convalescent Service Vehicles and Wheelchair Buses
Overview- Article 1 — IN GENERAL
- Article 2 — CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE
▸Article 3 — DRIVERS AND ATTENDANTS
- Chapter 4 — Animal Control
▸Chapter 5 — Bicycles and Nonmotorized Vehicles
▸Chapter 6 — Buildings and Building Regulations
Overview▸Article 1 — ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS
Overview- § 6-1. Purpose.
- § 6-2. Application to existing buildings and building service equipment.
- § 6-4. Conflicting provisions.
- § 6-5. Alternate materials, methods of design and methods of construction.
- § 6-7. Tests.
- § 6-8. Authority.
- § 6-9. Powers and duties of the building official.
- § 6-10. Unsafe buildings, structures or building equipment.
- § 6-11. Building advisory and appeals board.
- § 6-12. Violations.
- § 6-13. Permits.
- § 6-14. Application for permit.
- § 6-15. Permits issuance.
- § 6-16. Fees.
- § 6-17. Inspections.
- § 6-18. Special inspections.
- § 6-19. Expedited permit process for small residential rooftop solar systems.
- § 6-20. Connection to utilities.
- § 6-21. Certificate of occupancy.
- Article 2 — PUBLIC WORKS CONTRACTS
▸Article 3 — BUILDING CODE
- Article 4 — MECHANICAL CODE
- Article 5 — HOUSING CODE
- Article 6 — ELECTRICAL CODE
- Article 7 — PLUMBING CODE
▸Article 8 — EARTHQUAKE HAZARD REDUCTION IN EXISTING BUILDINGS
- Article 9 — (RESERVED)
▸Article 12 — MOVING OF BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES
- Article 13 — SOIL INVESTIGATION
- Article 15 — SWIMMING POOLS
- Article 16 — TRAILERS AND MOBILEHOMES
▸Article 18A — TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES DEVELOPMENT FEE
▸Article 18C — PARK AND RECREATION FACILITIES DEVELOPMENT FEE
▸Article 18D — LOCAL DRAINAGE AND SANITARY SEWER FEES
- Article 20 — PROPERTY MAINTENANCE
- Chapter 6A — Burglary, Robbery, Fire Alarm Systems
- Chapter 7 — Local Emergency
▸Chapter 8 — Cable Communications Franchises
- Chapter 9 — (Reserved)
▸Chapter 10 — Finance
Overview- Article 1 — IN GENERAL
- Article 2 — DIRECTOR OF FINANCE
- Article 3 — CLAIMS AGAINST THE CITY
- Article 4 — DEPOSITS AND WITHDRAWALS
▸Article 5 — PURCHASING OF GOODS AND SERVICES
- Article 6 — PUBLIC PROJECTS
- Article 7 — DISPOSAL OF SURPLUS CITY PROPERTY
- Article 8 — LOST AND UNCLAIMED PERSONAL PROPERTY
- Article 9 — CAPITAL OUTLAY FUND
- Article 10 — GAS TAX FUND
▸Chapter 11 — Fire Prevention and Protection
Overview- Article 1 — IN GENERAL
▸Article 2 — FIRE PREVENTION
▸Article 3 — FIRE DEPARTMENT
- Chapter 12 — Food and Food Handlers
- Chapter 12A — (Reserved)
- Chapter 13 — (Reserved)
▸Chapter 14 — Solid Waste and Recycling
Overview▸Article 2 — CONTAINERS
▸Article 3 — STORAGE, DUMPING, BURYING, AND DISPOSAL
▸Article 4 — SCAVENGING, TRANSPORTATION AND COLLECTION
▸Article 5 — MANDATORY SEPARATION OF RECYCLABLE MATERIAL AND ORGANIC WASTE
▸Article 6 — CONTRACTS AND FRANCHISES
▸Article 7 — FEES AND CHARGES
▸Chapter 15 — Junkyards and Secondhand Dealers
▸Chapter 16 — Licenses and Business Regulations Generally
Overview- Article 1 — GENERAL
▸Article 3 — BUSINESSES LICENSED FOR REVENUE AND REGULATION
- Article 4 — SPECIAL EVENT PERMITS
- Article 5 — APPEALS
▸Article 6 — ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTIES
- Article 7 — MOBILE FOOD FACILITIES
- Article 8 — SHORT-TERM RENTALS
- Article 9 — SAFE SIDEWALK VENDING
▸Chapter 16A — Massage Regulation
- Chapter 16B — Regulation of the Storage and Disposal of Medical Wastes
- Chapter 16C — (Reserved)
- Chapter 16D — Guest Registration Requirements for Transient Lodging Facilities
▸Chapter 16E — Adult Businesses and Adult Business Performers
- Chapter 16F — (Reserved)
▸Chapter 17 — Offenses—Miscellaneous Provisions
Overview▸Article 1 — IN GENERAL
▸Article 3 — MINORS
▸Article 4 — WEAPONS AND EXPLOSIVES
- Article 5 — INSPECTION OF AVOCADOS BEING TRANSPORTED
- Article 6 — GRAFFITI PREVENTION, PROHIBITION AND REMOVAL PROCEDURES
- Article 7 — CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES
- Article 8 — ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE WARNING SIGNS
- Article 9 — PICTURE ARCADES
- Article 10 — AIDS DISCRIMINATION
- Article 11 — POLICE SERVICES AT PARTIES INVOLVING THE CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, CANN…
- Article 12 — NOISE ABATEMENT AND CONTROL
▸Article 13 — TATTOO PARLORS AND MOBILE TATTOO VEHICLES
- Article 14 — STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
- Article 15 — NEWSRACKS
- Article 16 — SHOPPING CART REGULATIONS
▸Chapter 18 — Community Services Department
▸Chapter 19 — Personnel
- Chapter 20 — Planning Commission
▸Chapter 21 — Street Patrols
▸Chapter 22 — Wastewaters, Stormwaters, and Related Matters
Overview- Article 1 — IN GENERAL
- Article 2 — MUNICIPAL SEPARATE STORM SEWER SYSTEM (MS4) MANAGEMENT AND DISCHARGE CONTROL
- Article 3 — HARMFUL WATERS AND WASTES
- Article 4 — SEWER SERVICE CHARGES
- Article 5 — PRIVATE SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEMS
- Article 6 — SEWER CONNECTION FEES
- Article 7 — SEWER CONNECTION LATERALS
▸Article 8 — INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATERS
- Article 9 — INDUSTRIAL BRINE COLLECTION SYSTEM (IBCS)
- Chapter 22A — Smoking Regulations
▸Chapter 23 — Streets and Sidewalks
- Chapter 24 — Subdivisions (Reserved)
▸Chapter 25 — Taxation
Overview- Article 1 — IN GENERAL
▸Article 2 — SALES AND USE TAX
▸Article 3 — REAL PROPERTY TRANSFER TAX
- Article 4 — TRANSIENT OCCUPANCY TAX
▸Chapter 26 — Taxicabs and Automobiles for Hire
- Chapter 27 — Towing Services
▸Chapter 28 — Traffic
Overview- Article 1 — IN GENERAL
- Article 3 — TRAFFIC-CONTROL DEVICES GENERALLY
- Article 4 — OPERATION GENERALLY
▸Article 5 — STOPPING, STANDING AND PARKING
▸Article 6 — PARADES AND PROCESSIONS
- Article 7 — ABANDONED VEHICLES
- Article 8 — TRUCK TERMINAL ACCESS
- Article 9 — SPECTATORS PROHIBITED AT ILLEGAL SPEED CONTESTS OR EXHIBITIONS OF SPEED
- Article 10 — YARD PARKING
▸Chapter 29 — Trailer Coaches and Trailer Parks
- Chapter 30 — Underground Utilities
- Chapter SR — Statutory References for California Cities
- Chapter CCT — Code Comparative Table
- Chapter CTO — Comparative Table - Ordinances
▸Chapter 32 — Subdivisions
Overview▸Article 2 — TENTATIVE MAPS
Overview- 32.201. Applications
- 32.202. Yield
- 32.203. Design Criteria
- 32.204. Required Improvements
- 32.205. Agreement to Construct Improvements
- 32.206. Supplemental Improvements
- 32.207. Monuments
- 32.208. Dedication Requirements
- 32.209. Findings
- 32.210. Expiration of Tentative Maps and Extensions of Time
- 32.211. Map Modifications
▸Article 3 — FINAL AND PARCEL MAPS
▸Chapter 33 — Zoning
Overview- Article 1 — GENERAL PROVISIONS AND DEFINITIONS
- Article 2 — OPEN SPACE AND HAZARDOUS LANDS GENERALLY
- Article 3 — OPEN SPACE (OS) ZONE
- Article 4 — FLOOD PLAIN (FP) OVERLAY ZONE
- Article 5 — OPEN SPACE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
- Article 6 — RESIDENTIAL ZONES
- Article 9 — ANIMAL OVERLAY (AO) ZONE
- Article 16 — COMMERCIAL ZONES
- Article 18 — SPECIFIC PLAN (S-P) ZONE
- Article 19 — PLANNED DEVELOPMENT (P-D) ZONE
- Article 24 — (RESERVED)
- Article 25 — PARKING OF RECREATIONAL VEHICLES IN RESIDENTIAL ZONES
- Article 26 — INDUSTRIAL ZONES
- Article 27 — EMERGENCY SHELTER OVERLAY
▸Article 30 — HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL OVERLAY (H-C-O) ZONE
- Article 31 — SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT (S-T-P) OVERLAY ZONE
- Article 32 — BED AND BREAKFAST FACILITIES
- Article 33 — RECYCLING FACILITIES
- Article 34 — COMMUNICATION ANTENNAS
- Article 35 — OUTDOOR LIGHTING
- Article 36 — CARGO CONTAINER RESTRICTIONS
- Article 37 — PUBLIC ART
- Article 38 — MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENTS
- Article 39 — OFF-STREET PARKING
- Article 40 — HISTORICAL RESOURCES
- Article 41 — SENIOR HOUSING
- Article 42 — ADULT BUSINESSES
- Article 43 — ABANDONED SERVICE STATIONS
- Article 44 — HOME OCCUPATIONS
- Article 45 — MOBILEHOME PARKS
- Article 46 — TRAVEL TRAILER PARKS
▸Article 47 — ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
- Article 48 — RELOCATION OF BUILDINGS
- Article 49 — AIR SPACE CONDOMINIUM AND COMMUNITY APARTMENT PROJECTS
- Article 52 — FREEWAY SIGN CONTROL
▸Article 55 — GRADING AND EROSION CONTROL
- Article 56 — MISCELLANEOUS DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
- Article 57 — MISCELLANEOUS USE RESTRICTIONS
- Article 58 — DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS
▸Article 61 — ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT
Overview- Division 1 — Conditional Use Permits
- Division 2 — Variances and Administrative Adjustments
- Division 3 — Nonconforming Uses and Structures
- Division 4 — Amendments and Zone Changes
- Division 5 — Reasonable Accommodation
- Division 6 — Public Hearings, Notices, Fees and Appeals
- Division 7 — Enforcement and Penalties
- Division 8 — Plot Plans
- Division 9 — Zoning Administrator
▸Article 62 — WATER EFFICIENT LANDSCAPE REGULATIONS
- Article 63 — TRANSIENT LODGING FACILITIES
- Article 64 — DESIGN REVIEW
- Article 65 — OLD ESCONDIDO NEIGHBORHOOD
▸Article 66 — SIGN ORDINANCE
- Article 67 — DENSITY BONUS AND RESIDENTIAL INCENTIVES
- Article 68 — GROWTH MANAGEMENT ORDINANCE
- Article 69 — ESCONDIDO BUSINESS ENHANCEMENT ZONE
- Article 70 — ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS AND JUNIOR ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS
- Article 73 — TEMPORARY USES, OUTDOOR DISPLAY AND SALE OF RETAIL MERCHANDISE
- Article 74 — DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION AREA SPECIFIC PLAN
- Article 75 — SAN DIEGUITO RIVER VALLEY FOCUS PLANNING AREA
▸Article 77 — CENTRE CITY RESIDENTIAL (CCR) OVERLAY ZONE
- Article 78 — MERCADO AREA PLAN OVERLAY
- Article 79 — EAST VALLEY PARKWAY OVERLAY ZONE
- Article 80 — PUBLIC FACILITIES OVERLAY ZONE
- Chapter OL — Zoning Code Ordinance List and Disposition Table