Earlier editions: 2026-09
Municipal code
Monterey Municipal Code
The enacted municipal code of Monterey, California, as published — every title, chapter, and section, verbatim and citable.
- Last updated
- 2026-10-05
- Contents
- 37 chapters · 1,929 sections
- Jurisdiction
- Monterey
Contents
▸Chapter 1 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
Overview▸Article 1 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
▸Article 2 — ADMINISTRATIVE REMEDIES
Overview▸Division 1 — ADMINISTRATIVE CITATIONS
- Division 2 — ADMINISTRATIVE ORDERS
▸Article 3 — UNIFORM LIEN AND SPECIAL ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES
▸Article 4 — EXHAUSTION OF ADMINISTRATIVE REMEDIES FOR CHALLENGES TO FEES, CHARGES, AND ASSESSM…
▸Chapter 2 — ADMINISTRATION Revised
Overview▸Article 2 — DISTRICT BASED ELECTIONS SYSTEM FOR CITY COUNCILMEMBERS
▸Article 3 — BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES Revised
▸Article 4 — PLANNING COMMISSION Revised
▸Article 5 — ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMITTEE Revised
▸Article 6 — PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
▸Article 7 — HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
▸Article 8 — MUSEUMS AND CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION
▸Article 9 — APPEALS HEARING BOARD
▸Article 10 — BUILDING AND HOUSING APPEALS BOARD
▸Article 11 — DISABLED ACCESS APPEALS BOARD
▸Article 12 — MEASURE P AND S OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE
▸Article 13 — NEIGHBORHOOD AND COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM COMMITTEE
▸Article 14 — BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
▸Chapter 6 — ANIMALS AND FOWL Revised
Overview▸Article 1 — IN GENERAL Revised
▸Article 2 — DOGS
▸Chapter 7 — HEALTH, SAFETY, AND WELFARE BUSINESS REGULATIONS
Overview▸Article 1 — HEALTH PERMITS
▸Article 2 — TOBACCO RETAILER LICENSE
▸Article 3 — MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENTS AND MASSAGE THERAPISTS
▸Article 4 — FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION
▸Article 5 — SECONDHAND DEALERS
▸Article 6 — REGULATION OF ESCORT SERVICES
▸Article 7 — CANNABIS BUSINESS REGULATIONS
▸Chapter 8 — HOUSING
Overview▸Article 1 — LOW- AND MODERATE-INCOME HOUSING
▸Article 2 — RENTAL INVENTORY
▸Chapter 9 — BUILDING REGULATIONS Revised
Overview▸Article 1.5 — AMENDMENTS TO CALIFORNIA CODES Revised
- Article 2 — FIRE ZONES
- Article 3 — WATER WELL STANDARDS
- Article 4 — ELEVATORS
- Article 5 — EARTHQUAKE HAZARD REDUCTION FOR UNREINFORCED MASONRY BUILDINGS (URM’S)
- Article 6 — PENALTIES
▸Article 7 — FLOOD DAMAGE PREVENTION
▸Article 8 — DIGGING AND EXCAVATION ON THE FORMER FORT ORD
- Article 9 — SMALL RESIDENTIAL ROOFTOP SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS
- Article 10 — VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS
- Chapter 10 — CEMENTERIO EL ENCINAL
- Chapter 11 — EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
▸Chapter 12 — FINANCE
▸Chapter 13 — FIRE PROTECTION Revised
Overview▸Article 2 — CLEAN UP OF HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES
- Article 3 — FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES
▸Chapter 14 — GARBAGE AND REFUSE
Overview- Article 2 — WEED AND RUBBISH ABATEMENT
▸Article 3 — ENVIRONMENTALLY ACCEPTABLE FOOD SERVICE WARE
- Article 4 — RETAIL BAG REGULATIONS
- Chapter 15 — GOING-OUT-OF-BUSINESS AND SIMILAR SALES
- Chapter 16 — REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT IMPACT FEE
▸Chapter 17 — HARBOR AND MARINA
▸Chapter 18 — IMPROVEMENT AND SPECIAL DISTRICTS
Overview- Article 1 — IMPROVEMENT PROCEDURE GENERALLY
▸Article 2 — SPECIAL SERVICE DISTRICTS
- Article 3 — INSTALLATION OF UNDERGROUND FACILITIES
- Article 4 — MONTEREY DOWNTOWN PROMOTION DISTRICT
- Article 5 — NORTH FREMONT STREET BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
- Article 6 — CANNERY ROW BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
- Article 7 — MONTEREY CONFERENCE CENTER FACILITIES DISTRICT PROCEDURAL ORDINANCE
▸Chapter 19 — BUSINESS LICENSES, FEES AND CHARGES Revised
▸Chapter 20 — MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC
Overview- Article 1 — IN GENERAL
- Article 2 — ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT
- Article 3 — SIGNS, SIGNALS AND MARKINGS
▸Article 4 — OPERATION OF VEHICLES
Overview▸Division 1 — GENERALLY
- Division 2 — TURNING MOVEMENTS
- Division 3 — STOP INTERSECTIONS
▸Division 4 — TRUCK ROUTES
- Article 5 — PEDESTRIANS
▸Article 6 — STOPPING, STANDING AND PARKING
Overview- Sec. 20-74. Mobile food vending vehicles -- Findings and purpose.
- Sec. 20-79. Same -- one hour zones.
- Sec. 20-80. Same -- two hour zones.
- Sec. 20-81. Same -- central traffic district between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
- Sec. 20-85. Camping and sleeping in motor vehicles or trailers overnight prohibited.
- Sec. 20-86. Regulation of overnight parking; Marina Lot.
▸Article 7 — LOADING ZONES
- Article 8 — PARKING METERS
▸Article 9 — MUNICIPAL PARKING LOTS
- Article 10 — SPECIAL REGULATIONS Monterey Traffic Underpass
- Article 11 — ABANDONED, WRECKED, OR DISMANTLED VEHICLES
- Article 12 — PARKING OF CERTAIN VEHICLES IN RESIDENTIAL AREA PROHIBITED
- Article 13 — PARKING IN CERTAIN AREAS WITH “FOR SALE” SIGNS PROHIBITED
- Chapter 21 — COLTON HALL MUSEUM
▸Chapter 22 — OFFENSES/NUISANCES
Overview▸Article 1 — OFFENSES -- MISCELLANEOUS
Overview- Sec. 22-9. Same -- tampering with, unauthorized use of, etc., fire alarm system.
- Sec. 22-12. Bicycles, roller skates, skateboards, etc., prohibited in certain areas.
- Sec. 22-17. Noise--permit for use of loudspeakers, amplifiers, etc., -- required.
- Sec. 22-18. Same -- Certain noises prohibited.
- Sec. 22-19. Regulation of Door-To-Door Solicitors.
- Sec. 22-25. Activities conducted upon quasi-public property.
- Sec. 22-26. Loitering in any parking facilities.
- Sec. 22-30. Minors prohibited in billiard rooms during certain hours.
- Sec. 22-31. Reserved.
- Sec. 22-34. Reserved.
▸Article 2 — GRAFFITI
▸Article 4 — ABATEMENT OF PUBLIC NUISANCES
▸Chapter 23 — PARKS AND LAKES
- Chapter 24 — PAWNBROKERS
▸Chapter 25 — PERSONNEL/HUMAN RESOURCES
Overview▸Article 1 — PURPOSE, SCOPE AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS
▸Article 2 — DEFINITION OF TERMS
▸Article 3 — POLICIES GOVERNING EMPLOYMENT AND WORKING CONDITIONS
▸Article 4 — CLASSIFICATION PLAN
▸Article 5 — COMPENSATION AND SALARY ADMINISTRATION
▸Article 6 — APPLICATIONS FOR EMPLOYMENT
▸Article 7 — EMPLOYMENT EXAMINATIONS
▸Article 8 — EMPLOYMENT LISTS
▸Article 9 — CERTIFICATION AND APPOINTMENT
▸Article 10 — PROBATIONARY PERIOD AND PERFORMANCE RATINGS
▸Article 11 — GENERAL WORKING CONDITIONS
▸Article 12 — LEAVE OF ABSENCE PROVISIONS
▸Article 13 — TRANSFERS, REASSIGNMENTS AND LAYOFF
▸Article 14 — DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURE
▸Article 15 — GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE
▸Article 16 — EMPLOYEE RELATIONS REGULATIONS
▸Article 17 — RESERVE PEACE OFFICERS
▸Chapter 26 — PLANNING
▸Chapter 28 — PURCHASING
- Chapter 29 — RADIO AND TELEVISION
▸Chapter 30 — SEWERS AND SEWAGE DISPOSAL
Overview- Article 2 — OUTSIDE CONNECTIONS TO CITY SEWER SYSTEM
▸Article 3 — INSTALLATION, MAINTENANCE AND USE OF FAT, OIL AND GREASE PRETREATMENT EQUIPMENT
- Article 4 — SEWER SERVICE CHARGE AND CONNECTION FEE
- Chapter 31 — SIGNS Revised
▸Chapter 31.5 — STORM WATER MANAGEMENT Revised
Overview- Article 1 — STORM WATER MANAGEMENT UTILITY AND FUNDING
▸Article 2 — URBAN STORM WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT AND DISCHARGE CONTROL
▸Chapter 32 — STREETS, SIDEWALKS, AND PUBLIC PROPERTY
Overview- Article 2 — OFFICIAL PLAN LINES
▸Article 3 — ENCROACHMENTS
- Article 4 — SIDEWALK REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE
▸Article 5 — DRIVEWAY, CURB, GUTTER, AND SIDEWALK CONSTRUCTION
- Article 6 — STREET EXCAVATIONS
- Article 7 — PARKING ADJUSTMENT FEES AND TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT FUND
▸Article 8 — ENCROACHMENTS BY COMMUNICATION FACILITIES
▸Chapter 33 — SUBDIVISION Revised
Overview▸Article 2 — TYPES OF SUBDIVISIONS
▸Article 3 — BASIC DESIGN OBJECTIVES AND REQUIREMENTS
▸Article 4 — EXCEPTIONS
▸Article 5 — STANDARD SUBDIVISIONS Revised
▸Article 6 — MINOR SUBDIVISIONS
▸Article 7 — URBAN LOT SPLITS IN SINGLE-FAMILY ZONING DISTRICTS
▸Article 8 — COVENANT OF EASEMENT
▸Article 9 — MERGER OF SUBSTANDARD LOTS
▸Article 10 — ENFORCEMENT -- SEVERABILITY
▸Chapter 35 — TAXATION
Overview- Article 1 — IN GENERAL
- Article 2 — SALES AND USE TAX
▸Article 3 — UNIFORM TRANSIENT OCCUPANCY TAX
- Article 4 — REAL PROPERTY TRANSFER TAX
- Article 5 — PUBLIC UTILITIES USE TAX
- Article 6 — EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES TAX
- Article 7 — STREET INFRASTRUCTURE REHABILITATION TRANSACTIONS AND USE TAX
- Article 8 — GENERAL TRANSACTIONS AND USE TAX
▸Chapter 36 — TAXICABS AND OTHER VEHICLES FOR HIRE
▸Chapter 37 — PRESERVATION OF TREES AND SHRUBS Revised
▸Chapter 38 — ZONING ORDINANCE Revised
Overview▸Part II — Base District Regulations Revised
Overview- Article 5 — R RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS Revised
- Article 5A — TWO-UNIT DEVELOPMENT IN SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL ZONING DISTRICTS
- Article 6 — C COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS Revised
- Article 7 — VAF VISITOR ACCOMMODATION FACILITY DISTRICT Revised
- Article 8 — I-R INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS Revised
- Article 9 — O OPEN SPACE DISTRICT Revised
- Article 10 — P PARKING DISTRICT Revised
- Article 11 — PC PLANNED COMMUNITY DISTRICT
▸Part III — Overlay District Regulations Revised
Overview- Article 12 — AP ADMINISTRATIVE-PROFESSIONAL OVERLAY DISTRICT Revised
- Article 13 — D DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT CONTROL OVERLAY DISTRICT Revised
- Article 14 — S SPECIAL SETBACK OVERLAY DISTRICT
- Article 15 — HISTORIC PROPERTIES
- Article 16 — SC PLANNED COMMERCIAL OVERLAY DISTRICT
- Article 16A — RELIGIOUS ASSEMBLY IN THE GARDEN ROAD I-R-130 ZONING DISTRICT OVERLAY DISTRICT R…
▸Article 16B — EMERGENCY SHELTER OVERLAY DISTRICT
- Article 16C — MULTIFAMILY RESIDENTIAL OVERLAY DISTRICT Revised (Ord. 3688, 12/24; Ord. 3594, 6…
- Article 16D — CANNABIS BUSINESS OVERLAY DISTRICT
- Article 16E — REGIONAL HOUSING NEEDS ASSESSMENT OVERLAY DISTRICT (Ord. 3688, 12/24)
▸Part IV — Regulations Applying in All Districts Revised
Overview▸Article 17 — REGULATIONS APPLYING IN ALL DISTRICTS Revised
- Article 18 — OFF-STREET PARKING AND LOADING REGULATIONS Revised
- Article 19 — HAZARDOUS MATERIALS STORAGE
- Article 20 — RECYCLING FACILITIES
- Article 20A — LANDSCAPING REGULATIONS
▸Part V — Administration Revised
Overview▸Article 21 — ZONING AND ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW; FEES AND DEPOSITS
- Article 22 — USE PERMITS; VARIANCES
- Article 23 — DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS
- Article 24 — DEVELOPMENT REVIEW COMMITTEE APPROVAL
- Article 25 — ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW Revised
- Article 26 — AMENDMENTS
- Article 27 — APPEALS Revised
- Article 28 — NONCONFORMING USES, AND STRUCTURES Revised
- Article 29 — ENFORCEMENT
- Article 30 — REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION Revised