Earlier editions: 2026-07
Municipal code
Merced County Municipal Code
The enacted municipal code of Merced County, California, as published — every title, chapter, and section, verbatim and citable.
- Last updated
- 2026-10-04
- Contents
- 16 titles · 1,855 sections
- Jurisdiction
- Merced County
Contents
▸Title 1 — General Provisions
Overview- Chapter 1.01 — CODE ADOPTION
- Chapter 1.04 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
- Chapter 1.08 — SUPERVISORIAL DISTRICTS
- Chapter 1.12 — JUDICIAL DISTRICTS
- Chapter 1.16 — RIGHT OF ENTRY FOR INSPECTION
- Chapter 1.20 — CITATION OF VIOLATORS
- Chapter 1.24 — PRISONERS—FURLOUGHS
- Chapter 1.28 — GENERAL PENALTY
- Chapter 1.32 — CONTRIBUTIONS TO VICTIM WITNESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
▸Title 2 — Administration
Overview- Chapter 2.02 — EXPENDITURES FOR TRAINING AND ORIENTATION OF SUPERVISORS-ELECT
- Chapter 2.04 — BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
- Chapter 2.08 — COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER
- Chapter 2.10 — CLAIMS AGAINST THE COUNTY
- Chapter 2.12 — CONSOLIDATION OF OFFICES
- Chapter 2.16 — AUDITOR-CONTROLLER
- Chapter 2.20 — PUBLIC GUARDIAN
- Chapter 2.24 — WELFARE DIRECTOR
- Chapter 2.28 — COUNTY HOSPITAL
- Chapter 2.30 — CORONER
- Chapter 2.32 — PLANNING AGENCY
- Chapter 2.36 — DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
- Chapter 2.44 — DELINQUENCY PREVENTION COMMISSION
- Chapter 2.46 — FIRST 5 MERCED COUNTY COMMISSION
- Chapter 2.48 — PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
- Chapter 2.52 — ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW PROCESS
- Chapter 2.56 — HOUSING ADVISORY AND APPEALS BOARD
- Chapter 2.60 — COMMISSION ON STATUS OF WOMEN
- Chapter 2.64 — AREA AGENCY ON AGING
- Chapter 2.68 — ASSESSMENT APPEALS BOARD
- Chapter 2.72 — OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES AND MERCED COUNTY OPERATIONAL AREA DISASTER COUNCIL
- Chapter 2.76 — JUVENILE HALL PUBLIC SCHOOL
- Chapter 2.80 — PEACE OFFICER STANDARDS AND TRAINING
- Chapter 2.84 — POLICE SPECIAL DUTY SERVICE
- Chapter 2.88 — COUNTY OFFICE HOURS
- Chapter 2.92 — COMPENSATION OF BOARD MEMBERS
- Chapter 2.96 — MERCED COUNTY MAY DAY FAIR DEPARTMENT
- Chapter 2.98 — MERCED COUNTY IN-HOME SUPPORTIVE SERVICES PUBLIC AUTHORITY
- Chapter 2.99 — JUVENILE CAMPS
▸Title 4 — Elections
▸Title 5 — Revenue and Finance
Overview- Chapter 5.04 — CAPITAL OUTLAY FUND
- Chapter 5.12 — PURCHASING
- Chapter 5.14 — DELEGATED AUTHORITY FOR REAL PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS
- Chapter 5.16 — REASSESSMENT OF DAMAGED OR DESTROYED PROPERTY
- Chapter 5.20 — REAL PROPERTY TRANSFER TAX
- Chapter 5.24 — SALES AND USE TAX
- Chapter 5.26 — TRANSACTIONS AND USE TAX TO FUND PUBLIC SAFETY SERVICES
- Chapter 5.28 — UNCLAIMED PROPERTY
- Chapter 5.32 — TRANSIENT OCCUPANCY TAX
- Chapter 5.36 — MERCED COUNTY CLERK'S/RECORDER'S FEES
- Chapter 5.37 — MERCED COUNTY AUDITOR-CONTROLLER'S FEE SCHEDULE
- Chapter 5.38 — COLLECTION OF DELINQUENT DEBTS
- Chapter 5.40 — DELEGATION OF INVESTMENT AUTHORITY TO COUNTY TREASURER
- Chapter 5.42 — PUBLIC DEFENDER FEES
- Chapter 5.44 — SHERIFF'S FEES
▸Chapter 5.48 — CASTLE AIRPORT FEES
Overview- Article I — Charges for the Use of Telecommunications Infrastructure at Castle Airport Aviatio…
- Article II — Aircraft Landing and Parking Rates and Related Charges at Castle Airport
- Article III — A. Operation of Water and Sewer Systems at Castle Commerce Center and Related Ch…
- Article III — B. Operation of Water and Sewer Systems at Castle Commerce Center and Related Ch…
- Chapter 5.49 — MERCED COUNTY REGISTRAR OF VOTERS FEES
- Chapter 5.56 — MERCED COUNTY TREASURER-TAX COLLECTOR FEE SCHEDULE
- Chapter 5.58 — COMMERCE, AVIATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LOAN PROGRAM FEES
- Chapter 5.60 — COUNTY PARK FEES
- Chapter 5.64 — COUNTY SERVICE AREA NUMBER ONE USER CHARGE RATES FOR ZONES OF BENEFIT
- Chapter 5.68 — REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION IMPACT FEE (RTIF)
- Chapter 5.74 — ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES FEE
- Chapter 5.78 — BAIL SCHEDULE OF PARKING PENALTIES
- Chapter 5.90 — REFUSE SERVICE FEES AND CHARGES
- Chapter 5.91 — MERCED COUNTY ASSESSOR FEES
▸Title 6 — Business Licenses and Regulations
Overview- Chapter 6.02 — BUSINESS LICENSES
- Chapter 6.04 — BINGO GAMES
- Chapter 6.08 — CARDROOMS
- Chapter 6.12 — ADULT ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESSES
- Chapter 6.24 — ITINERANT VENDORS AND SOLICITORS PERMIT
- Chapter 6.32 — LABOR CAMPS
- Chapter 6.36 — MASSAGE PARLORS AND SCHOOLS OF MASSAGE
- Chapter 6.40 — OUTDOOR FESTIVALS
- Chapter 6.44 — PAWNBROKERS AND SECONDHAND DEALERS
- Chapter 6.48 — PUBLIC DANCES
- Chapter 6.52 — SEPTIC TANK AND CESSPOOL MAINTENANCE
- Chapter 6.58 — WEIGHING AND MEASURING DEVICE REGISTRATION PERMIT
- Chapter 6.60 — CABLE FRANCHISES
- Chapter 6.62 — SCRAP METALS SALES OR TRANSFERS
▸Title 9 — General Health and Safety
Overview- Chapter 9.04 — REFUSE—DEFINITIONS AND ADMINISTRATION
- Chapter 9.06 — ORGANIC WASTE DISPOSAL REDUCTION
- Chapter 9.08 — REFUSE—DISPOSAL
- Chapter 9.12 — REFUSE—COLLECTORS
- Chapter 9.14 — ABANDONED VEHICLES
- Chapter 9.16 — ILLEGAL DUMPING
- Chapter 9.20 — AGRICULTURAL BURNING
- Chapter 9.24 — FIRE PREVENTION
- Chapter 9.25 — FIRE HAZARD ABATEMENT
- Chapter 9.26 — REGULATION, SALE AND LIMITED USE OF FIREWORKS
- Chapter 9.27 — GROUNDWATER MINING AND EXPORT
- Chapter 9.28 — WELLS
- Chapter 9.29 — CANNABIS
- Chapter 9.30 — AGRICULTURAL MITIGATION
- Chapter 9.31 — INDUSTRIAL HEMP CULTIVATION
- Chapter 9.36 — WATER SPORTS
- Chapter 9.39 — APPLE MAGGOT PREVENTION PROGRAM
- Chapter 9.40 — HEAD LETTUCE INSPECTIONS
- Chapter 9.41 — MANDATORY CANTALOUPE INSPECTION CERTIFICATION
- Chapter 9.42 — HEALTH SERVICES PERFORMED BY THE MERCED COUNTY HEALTH OFFICER
- Chapter 9.43 — SANTA CRUZ-MONTEREY-MERCED MANAGED MEDICAL CARE COMMISSION
- Chapter 9.44 — REGULATION OF AMBULANCE SERVICE LICENSING AND OPERATIONS
- Chapter 9.48 — FEES FOR SERVICES OF THE MERCED COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND RECO…
- Chapter 9.49 — ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SERVICE FEES
- Chapter 9.52 — REGULATION OF SEWAGE SLUDGE
- Chapter 9.53 — REGULATION OF STORMWATER
- Chapter 9.54 — REGULATION OF ON-SITE WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS
- Chapter 9.70 — PUBLIC NUISANCE ABATEMENT
▸Title 10 — Public Peace, Morals and Welfare
Overview- Chapter 10.02 — INTERFERENCE WITH EMERGENCY VEHICLES
- Chapter 10.03 — INTERFERENCE WITH SHERIFF'S CANINE UNITS
- Chapter 10.04 — UNAUTHORIZED USE OF COUNTY VEHICLES
- Chapter 10.28 — CONDUCT IN PARKS
- Chapter 10.30 — OPENING AND CLOSING TIMES AND PROHIBITION OF TRESPASSING AND POSSESSION OF ALC…
- Chapter 10.32 — OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC PROPERTY
- Chapter 10.44 — CURFEW
- Chapter 10.50 — CARRYING AND DISCHARGING FIREARMS
- Chapter 10.60 — NOISE CONTROL
- Chapter 10.80 — SECURITY ALARM SYSTEMS
▸Title 11 — Vehicles and Traffic
Overview- Chapter 11.04 — SPEED LIMITS
- Chapter 11.08 — BOULEVARDS
- Chapter 11.12 — STANDING, STOPPING AND PARKING
- Chapter 11.16 — LOAD LIMITS
- Chapter 11.20 — HIGHWAY CLOSURE OR RESTRICTION
- Chapter 11.24 — IMPOUNDMENT OF VEHICLES
- Chapter 11.25 — VEHICLE PARKING AND OTHER RESTRICTIONS FOR COUNTY FACILITIES WITH FEE SCHEDULE
- Chapter 11.28 — BICYCLE PATH
▸Title 13 — Highways
Overview- Chapter 13.04 — INJURY TO ROADWAY
- Chapter 13.05 — ADDITIONS TO THE COUNTY ROAD SYSTEM
- Chapter 13.06 — PROCEDURES FOR TERMINATION OF MAINTENANCE OF COUNTY HIGHWAYS AND VACATION OF P…
- Chapter 13.08 — FLOODING
- Chapter 13.12 — UNDERGROUND UTILITY DISTRICTS
- Chapter 13.16 — VENDING ON ROADWAYS
- Chapter 13.20 — RAILROAD CROSSINGS
- Chapter 13.24 — SIGHT DISTANCE AT PUBLIC INTERSECTIONS AND PRIVATE DRIVEWAYS
- Chapter 13.28 — GEOPHYSICAL TESTING
- Chapter 13.30 — ENCROACHMENT PERMIT PROVISIONS
- Chapter 13.40 — BRIDGE AND MAJOR THOROUGHFARE FEES
▸Title 14 — Sewers
▸Title 16 — Building and Construction
Overview- Chapter 16.08 — IMPROVEMENT REQUIREMENTS
- Chapter 16.10 — NOTICES OF COMPLETION
- Chapter 16.12 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
- Chapter 16.16 — BUILDING CODE
- Chapter 16.18 — CALIFORNIA RESIDENTIAL BUILDING CODE
- Chapter 16.20 — ELECTRICAL CODE
- Chapter 16.22 — MECHANICAL CODE
- Chapter 16.24 — PLUMBING CODE
- Chapter 16.26 — CALIFORNIA ENERGY CODE
- Chapter 16.28 — CALIFORNIA HISTORICAL CODE
- Chapter 16.30 — FIRE CODE
- Chapter 16.32 — CALIFORNIA EXISTING BUILDING CODE
- Chapter 16.34 — CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE
- Chapter 16.36 — CALIFORNIA REFERENCED STANDARDS CODE
- Chapter 16.38 — UNSAFE STRUCTURES
- Chapter 16.40 — HOUSING CODE
- Chapter 16.42 — EXPEDITED PERMITTING FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS
- Chapter 16.52 — PUBLIC FACILITIES FEES
▸Title 17 — Subdivisions
▸Title 18 — Zoning Code
Overview- Chapter 18.02 — PURPOSE AND APPLICABILITY OF ZONING CODE
- Chapter 18.04 — INTERPRETATION OF THE ZONING CODE PROVISIONS
- Chapter 18.06 — ZONES AND ZONING MAP
- Chapter 18.10 — AGRICULTURAL ZONES (A-1, A-1-40, A-2)
- Chapter 18.12 — RESIDENTIAL ZONES (R-R, R-1, R1-5000, R-2, R-3, R-4, M-H)
- Chapter 18.14 — COMMERCIAL ZONES (C-P, C-1, C-2, C-3, H-I-C, MU)
- Chapter 18.16 — INDUSTRIAL ZONES (B-P, M-1, M-2)
- Chapter 18.18 — CASTLE COMMERCE CENTER AND AIRPORT SPECIAL PLANNING ZONE (SPZ)
- Chapter 18.20 — PLANNED DEVELOPMENT ZONE (PD)
- Chapter 18.22 — FOX HILLS COMMUNITY SPECIFIC PLAN ZONES
- Chapter 18.26 — SPECIAL FLOOD HAZARD AREAS
- Chapter 18.30 — SITE PLANNING AND GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
- Chapter 18.32 — ACCESSORY STRUCTURES
- Chapter 18.34 — FENCES, WALLS, AND HEDGES
- Chapter 18.36 — LANDSCAPING
- Chapter 18.38 — OFF-STREET PARKING REGULATIONS AND DESIGN STANDARDS
- Chapter 18.40 — PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
- Chapter 18.44 — SIGN REGULATIONS
- Chapter 18.46 — SOLID WASTE AND RECYCLING MATERIALS STORAGE
- Chapter 18.48 — SURFACE MINING AND RECLAMATION
- Chapter 18.50 — BY-RIGHT APPROVAL
- Chapter 18.60 — STANDARDS FOR SPECIFIC LAND USES
- Chapter 18.62 — ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS
- Chapter 18.64 — ANIMAL CONFINEMENT FACILITIES
- Chapter 18.66 — DENSITY BONUS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING
- Chapter 18.68 — WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION FACILITIES
- Chapter 18.90 — GENERAL NONCONFORMING PROVISIONS
- Chapter 18.92 — NONCONFORMING PARCELS
- Chapter 18.94 — NONCONFORMING STRUCTURES
- Chapter 18.96 — NONCONFORMING USES
- Chapter 18.98 — OTHER SPECIFIC NONCONFORMING PROVISIONS
- Chapter 18.110 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
- Chapter 18.112 — APPLICATION PROCESSING PROCEDURES
- Chapter 18.114 — ADMINISTRATIVE PERMITS
- Chapter 18.116 — CONDITIONAL USE PERMITS
- Chapter 18.118 — PLANNED DEVELOPMENT PERMITS
- Chapter 18.120 — REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS
- Chapter 18.122 — SITE PLAN AND DESIGN REVIEW
- Chapter 18.124 — TEMPORARY USE PERMITS
- Chapter 18.126 — VARIANCES AND MINOR DEVIATIONS
- Chapter 18.128 — ZONING CLEARANCES
- Chapter 18.130 — PERMIT IMPLEMENTATION, TIME LIMITS, AND EXTENSIONS
- Chapter 18.140 — ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITY
- Chapter 18.142 — AMENDMENTS (GENERAL PLAN, ZONING CODE, AND ZONING MAP
- Chapter 18.144 — APPEALS
- Chapter 18.146 — PUBLIC NOTICES AND HEARINGS
- Chapter 18.148 — DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS
- Chapter 18.150 — SPECIFIC PLANS
- Chapter 18.152 — PERMIT MODIFICATIONS AND REVOCATIONS
- Chapter 18.154 — ENFORCEMENT PROVISIONS
- Chapter 18.200 — DEFINITIONS
- Title SR — Statutory References for California Counties
- Title OL — Ordinance List and Disposition Table