This is the 2026-09 edition — not the code currently in force.

It applied to projects from through October 2, 2026. A project is generally enforced under the edition in effect when its application was submitted, so this is the book to read for a permit filed in that window.

Part I — CODE OF ORDINANCES

Ridgecrest Municipal Code · 2026-09 edition · updated 2026-09-27 · Ridgecrest

In this part

Sec. 1-1. - How Code designated and cited.
Sec. 1-2. - Provisions deemed continuation of existing ordinances.
Sec. 1-3. - Code does not affect prior offenses or rights.
Sec. 1-4. - Statutes of limitations.
Sec. 1-5. - Certain ordinances not affected by Code.
Sec. 1-6. - Amendments to Code; effect of new ordinances; amendatory language.
Sec. 1-7. - Supplementation of Code.
Sec. 1-33. - Definitions and rules of construction.
Sec. 1-34. - Catchlines of sections; history notes; editor's notes; references.
Sec. 1-35. - Reference to acts or omissions within the city.
Sec. 1-36. - Effect of repeal of ordinances.
Sec. 1-37. - Severability.
Sec. 1-38. - Service and proof of service of required notices.
Sec. 1-65. - Definitions.
Sec. 1-66. - Separate offenses.
Sec. 1-67. - Other remedies.
Division 2 — MISDEMEANORS AND INFRACTIONS
Division 3 — ADMINISTRATIVE CITATIONS
Sec. 2-1. - Posting.
Sec. 2-2. - Purpose.
Sec. 2-3. - Meetings of city council and advisory bodies.
Article II — CITY COUNCIL
Article III — MEETINGS OF CITY COUNCIL AND ADVISORY BODIES
Sec. 2-87. - P.O.S.T. standards.
Sec. 2-88. - Conflicts of interest.
Sec. 2-89. - Pension benefits.
Sec. 2-90. - Electronic filing of campaign statements and statements of economic…
Division 2 — CITY MANAGER
Sec. 2-140. - General.
Sec. 2-141. - Classification of employees.
Sec. 2-142. - Personnel relations.
Sec. 2-143. - Employer/employee relations.
Sec. 2-170. - General.
Sec. 2-171. - Police department.
Sec. 2-172. - Finance and informational services department.
Sec. 2-173. - Community and economic development department.
Sec. 2-174. - Administrative services department.
Sec. 2-175. - Public works department.
Sec. 2-176. - Parks and recreation department.
Sec. 2-177. - Reorganization of duties.
Sec. 2-208. - General.
Sec. 2-209. - Planning commission.
Sec. 2-210. - Personnel commission.
Sec. 2-211. - Construction appeals board.
Sec. 2-212. - Persons with disabilities access appeals board.
Sec. 2-213. - Council committees.
Sec. 2-214. - Additional council appointments.
Sec. 2-215. - Disaster council.
Article VII — FINANCE
Division 2 — INVESTMENT POLICY
Division 3 — CLAIMS AND DEMANDS
Sec. 2-320. - Purpose and scope.
Sec. 2-321. - Delegation of authority.
Sec. 2-322. - Definitions.
Sec. 2-323. - Schedule of fees and service charges.
Sec. 2-324. - Periodic review.
Article VIII — PUBLIC RECORDS
Sec. 2-390. - Holding period for unclaimed property.
Sec. 2-391. - Notice of auction sale.
Sec. 2-392. - Proceeds of auction sale.
Chapter 3 — ANIMALS
Article II — DOG LICENSING AND VACCINATION
Sec. 3-78. - Symptoms of rabies.
Sec. 3-79. - Reports of dog biting.
Sec. 3-80. - Biting by animal suspected of rabies.
Sec. 3-81. - Disposition of animal with rabies.
Sec. 3-106. - Handling of vicious dogs.
Sec. 3-107. - Violation of order on vicious dog.
Sec. 3-108. - Determining vicious dogs.
Sec. 3-130. - Animal shelter.
Sec. 3-131. - Seizure of dogs without license tags.
Sec. 3-132. - Confinement of dogs seized.
Sec. 3-133. - Notification to owner.
Sec. 3-134. - Release of unlicensed dogs; vaccination receipt.
Sec. 3-135. - Audit of receipts; reseizure.
Sec. 3-136. - Sale or destruction of unclaimed animals.
Sec. 3-137. - Record and treatment of animals seized.
Sec. 3-138. - Costs of sheltering.
Sec. 3-139. - Fees and charges to license collector.
Sec. 4-1. - Definitions.
Sec. 4-2. - Findings.
Sec. 4-3. - Public participation; annual review and amendments.
Sec. 4-4. - Use in exigent circumstances.
Sec. 4-5. - Reports.
Sec. 4-17. - Definitions.
Sec. 4-18. - Penalty.
Sec. 4-19. - Violations.
Sec. 4-20. - City permit required; alarm owner.
Sec. 4-21. - Application for alarm system permit.
Sec. 4-22. - Expiration of alarm system permit.
Sec. 4-23. - Permits nontransferable.
Sec. 4-24. - Direct telephone lines.
Sec. 4-25. - Prescribing rules and regulations by chief of police.
Sec. 4-26. - Suspension and revocation of alarm system permit.
Sec. 4-27. - Alarm appeals board.
Sec. 4-28. - Appeal procedure.
Sec. 4-29. - Reapplication after revocation.
Sec. 4-30. - Direct dial telephone device.
Sec. 4-31. - Audible alarm requirement.
Sec. 4-32. - Panic alarms.
Sec. 4-33. - Report on false alarms.
Sec. 4-34. - Revenue.
Chapter 5 — ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Sec. 5-19. - Purpose and scope.
Sec. 5-20. - Definitions.
Sec. 5-21. - Water well permit required.
Sec. 5-22. - Application.
Sec. 5-23. - Review of application.
Sec. 5-24. - Expiration of water well permit.
Sec. 5-25. - Water distribution.
Sec. 5-26. - Use of city right-of-way.
Sec. 5-27. - New water system.
Sec. 5-58. - Title.
Sec. 5-59. - Purpose.
Sec. 5-60. - Applicability.
Sec. 5-61. - Definitions.
Sec. 5-62. - Compliance with landscape documentation package.
Sec. 5-63. - Elements of the landscape documentation package.
Sec. 5-64. - Water efficient landscape worksheet.
Sec. 5-65. - Soil management report.
Sec. 5-66. - Landscape design plan.
Sec. 5-67. - Irrigation design plan.
Sec. 5-68. - Grading design plan.
Sec. 5-69. - Certificate of completion.
Sec. 5-70. - Irrigation scheduling.
Sec. 5-71. - Landscape and irrigation maintenance schedule.
Sec. 5-72. - Irrigation audit, irrigation survey, and irrigation water use analysis.
Sec. 5-73. - Recycled water.
Sec. 5-74. - Graywater systems.
Sec. 5-75. - Stormwater management and rainwater retention.
Chapter 6 — FIRE PREVENTION AND PROTECTION
Chapter 7 — FRANCHISES
Article II — TAXICABS
Article III — UTILITIES
Article IV — STATE VIDEO FRANCHISES
Sec. 7-380. - General.
Sec. 7-381. - Definitions.
Sec. 7-382. - Trash collection franchise.
Sec. 7-383. - Fees.
Sec. 7-384. - Facility operators and community composting operations.
Chapter 8 — HEALTH
Sec. 8-20. - Purpose.
Sec. 8-21. - Definitions.
Sec. 8-22. - Penalty.
Sec. 8-23. - General requirements.
Sec. 8-24. - Posting requirements.
Sec. 8-25. - Inspection summary report, period of validity.
Sec. 8-26. - Appeal process.
Sec. 8-27. - Re-score inspection.
Sec. 8-28. - Removal of inspection summary report.
Sec. 9-1. - Assessment and collection of property taxes.
Article II — REAL PROPERTY TRANSFER TAX
Article III — TEMPORARY TRANSACTIONS AND USE TAX
Sec. 9-79. - Establishment of committee and purpose.
Sec. 9-80. - Appointment and tenure of committee members.
Sec. 9-81. - Terms of office.
Sec. 9-82. - Organization.
Sec. 9-83. - Duties.
Article IV — GENERAL SALES AND USE TAX
Article V — TRANSIENT OCCUPANCY TAX
Article VI — BUSINESS LICENSE TAX
Sec. 9-228. - Penalties.
Sec. 9-229. - Findings.
Sec. 9-230. - Definitions.
Sec. 9-231. - License required.
Sec. 9-232. - Fees; term of license.
Sec. 9-233. - Issuance of license; site plan approval required.
Sec. 9-234. - License information.
Sec. 9-235. - Change in ownership.
Sec. 9-236. - Compliance with city ordinances; revocation or suspension of license.
Sec. 9-237. - Conflict with city ordinances, this section takes precedence.
Sec. 9-267. - Penalties.
Sec. 9-268. - Purpose and scope.
Sec. 9-269. - Requirements.
Sec. 9-270. - Preparation of products sold.
Sec. 9-271. - Storage.
Sec. 9-272. - Personal cleanliness.
Sec. 9-273. - Vendors in fixed location.
Sec. 9-274. - Parking limitations.
Sec. 9-275. - Sanitation facilities.
Sec. 9-276. - General requirements.
Article IX — LEGAL GAMBLING
Division 2 — LEGAL CARD GAMES
Sec. 9-349. - Bingo games for charitable purposes permitted; adoption of state law.
Sec. 9-350. - Bingo games license required.
Sec. 9-351. - Applications for licenses.
Sec. 9-352. - Applicant must be qualified.
Sec. 9-353. - Contents of application.
Sec. 9-354. - Investigation of applicant.
Sec. 9-355. - Contents of license.
Sec. 9-356. - Posting of license.
Sec. 9-357. - Summary suspension of license pending opportunity for hearing;…
Sec. 9-358. - Revocation of license; alternative procedure.
Sec. 9-359. - Appeal of revocation to the city council.
Sec. 9-360. - Profits to be kept in separate fund or account.
Sec. 9-361. - Attendance limited to occupancy capacity.
Sec. 9-362. - Bingo games conducted only on licensee's property.
Sec. 9-363. - Minors not to participate.
Sec. 9-364. - Use of credit prohibited.
Sec. 9-365. - Intoxicated persons not to participate.
Sec. 9-366. - Hours of operation.
Sec. 9-367. - Posting of bingo game rules and regulations.
Sec. 9-393. - Purpose and intent.
Sec. 9-394. - Definitions.
Sec. 9-395. - Office; license required.
Sec. 9-396. - License applications.
Sec. 9-397. - License: denial.
Sec. 9-398. - License: investigation and fee.
Sec. 9-399. - License: conditions.
Sec. 9-400. - Exemptions.
Sec. 10-1. - Loitering.
Sec. 10-2. - Use of recording devices to report emergencies.
Sec. 10-3. - Distribution of handbills.
Sec. 10-26. - Short title.
Sec. 10-27. - Definitions.
Sec. 10-28. - Penalties.
Sec. 10-29. - Litter in public places.
Sec. 10-30. - Placement of litter in receptacles to prevent scattering.
Sec. 10-31. - Sweeping litter into gutters prohibited.
Sec. 10-32. - Keeping sidewalks free of litter.
Sec. 10-33. - Litter in parks.
Sec. 10-34. - Litter in lakes and fountains.
Sec. 10-35. - Prohibiting distribution of handbills where properly posted.
Sec. 10-36. - Dropping litter from aircraft.
Sec. 10-37. - Owner to maintain premises free of litter.
Sec. 10-38. - Litter on vacant lots.
Sec. 10-39. - Responsibility for litter at construction sites.
Sec. 10-40. - Refuse containers at construction sites.
Sec. 10-41. - Authority to issue citations.
Sec. 10-71. - General.
Sec. 10-72. - Curfew.
Sec. 10-73. - Contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Sec. 10-104. - Penalty.
Sec. 10-105. - Arrows and missiles.
Sec. 10-106. - Firing of shotguns and firearms prohibited.
Sec. 10-107. - License required for concealed weapons.
Sec. 10-108. - Concealed weapons; confiscation.
Sec. 10-109. - Exceptions.
Sec. 10-110. - Pistol, rifle and target range.
Sec. 10-133. - Penalty.
Sec. 10-134. - Findings.
Sec. 10-135. - Legislative authorization.
Sec. 10-136. - Prohibitions: exposure by waiters, waitresses and entertainers.
Sec. 10-137. - Prohibition; exposure by performers in public.
Sec. 10-138. - Accessories.
Sec. 10-139. - Exceptions.
Sec. 10-160. - Civil enforcement.
Sec. 10-161. - Criminal enforcement.
Sec. 10-162. - General.
Sec. 10-163. - Definitions.
Sec. 10-164. - Exemptions.
Sec. 11-1. - Nuisance; general.
Sec. 11-2. - Prohibitions and penalties.
Sec. 11-3. - Commencement of proceedings.
Sec. 11-4. - Abatement hearing.
Sec. 11-5. - Appeal of abatement order.
Sec. 11-6. - Abatement.
Sec. 11-7. - Report of abatement costs.
Sec. 11-8. - Nuisance; appeal of collection order.
Sec. 11-9. - Collection of abatement costs.
Sec. 11-10. - Notices.
Sec. 11-11. - Cost recovery.
Sec. 11-41. - General.
Sec. 11-42. - Definitions.
Sec. 11-43. - Graffiti implements.
Sec. 11-44. - Graffiti removal.
Sec. 11-45. - Cost recovery.
Sec. 12-1. - Vehicle prohibited in public parks.
Sec. 12-2. - Alcoholic beverages.
Sec. 12-3. - Skate park facility.
Sec. 12-4. - Hours of operation and use.
Sec. 12-5. - Fees.
Chapter 13 — SOLID WASTE
Sec. 13-19. - Purpose.
Sec. 13-20. - Definitions.
Sec. 13-21. - Deposit in public place and accumulation prohibited.
Sec. 13-22. - Solid waste collection for single-family, multi-family and commercial…
Sec. 13-23. - Accumulation, disposal and destruction of waste.
Sec. 13-24. - Owner obligations for household hazardous waste.
Sec. 13-25. - Transportation of waste.
Sec. 13-26. - Vehicle maintenance.
Sec. 13-27. - Emergency removal.
Sec. 13-28. - Waivers for multi-family and commercial premises.
Sec. 13-29. - Self-hauler requirements.
Sec. 13-30. - Requirements for commercial edible food generators.
Sec. 13-31. - Requirements for food recovery organizations and services, jurisdictions.
Sec. 13-32. - Inspections.
Sec. 13-33. - Enforcement.
Sec. 14-1. - Skateboards, roller skates, and bicycles.
Sec. 14-2. - Large volume discharges.
Sec. 14-3. - Adoption of numbering system.
Sec. 14-24. - Definitions.
Sec. 14-25. - Penalties.
Sec. 14-26. - Encroachments require permit.
Sec. 14-27. - Street excavation moratorium areas; no permit shall be issued.
Sec. 14-28. - Notice of removal.
Sec. 14-29. - Emergency excavations.
Sec. 14-30. - Application for permit.
Sec. 14-31. - Who may apply.
Sec. 14-32. - Fees.
Sec. 14-33. - Permit contents.
Sec. 14-34. - Completion of work by city; use of deposit.
Sec. 14-35. - Defraud unlawful.
Sec. 14-36. - Conditions of permit.
Sec. 14-37. - Denial of permit.
Sec. 14-38. - Copies of permit.
Sec. 14-39. - Notice to affected utilities.
Sec. 14-40. - Inspections.
Sec. 14-41. - Routing of traffic.
Sec. 14-42. - Clearance for fire equipment.
Sec. 14-43. - Protection of adjoining property.
Sec. 14-44. - Care of excavated materials.
Sec. 14-45. - Restoration of improvements.
Sec. 14-46. - Preservation of monuments.
Sec. 14-47. - Clean up.
Sec. 14-48. - Passage of surface water.
Sec. 14-49. - Backfill and compaction.
Sec. 14-50. - Restoration of surface.
Sec. 14-51. - Power to order continuous work.
Sec. 14-52. - Dust and noise.
Sec. 14-53. - Drawings of facilities.
Sec. 14-54. - Removal of lighting and barricading.
Sec. 14-55. - Protection of improvements.
Sec. 14-56. - Standards.
Sec. 14-57. - Required locations for curbs, gutters, sidewalks and driveway approaches.
Sec. 14-58. - Approval by the city engineer.
Sec. 14-59. - Maintenance of curbs, gutters, and sidewalks and driveway approaches.
Sec. 14-60. - Fee exemptions.
Sec. 14-61. - Liability by city.
Sec. 14-62. - Establishment of trench cut cost recovery fee.
Sec. 14-63. - Exceptions.
Sec. 14-64. - Utility master plans.
Sec. 14-65. - Coordination with city.
Sec. 14-66. - Repair of sunken pavement over excavation.
Sec. 14-67. - Trench cut cost recovery fee fund.
Sec. 14-93. - General.
Sec. 14-94. - Definitions.
Sec. 14-95. - Application.
Sec. 14-96. - Action on application.
Sec. 14-97. - Grounds for denial.
Sec. 14-98. - Optional conditions.
Sec. 14-99. - Mandatory conditions—Indemnification.
Sec. 14-100. - Mandatory conditions—Traffic control fees/security fees.
Sec. 14-101. - Mandatory conditions—Deposits.
Sec. 14-102. - Appeal procedure; council review.
Sec. 14-103. - Permit issuance.
Sec. 14-104. - Revocation of permit.
Sec. 14-105. - Interference with filming and other permitted activities.
Chapter 15 — TRAFFIC AND VEHICLES
Sec. 15-21. - Police administration; traffic enforcement division.
Sec. 15-22. - Duty of traffic enforcement division.
Sec. 15-23. - City traffic engineer.
Sec. 15-24. - Powers and duties of city traffic engineer delegation.
Sec. 15-25. - Traffic accident studies.
Sec. 15-26. - Traffic accident reports.
Sec. 15-27. - Emergency and experimental regulations.
Sec. 15-28. - Traffic enforcement division and/or traffic engineering division to…
Sec. 15-29. - Traffic committee.
Sec. 15-30. - Duties of traffic committee.
Sec. 15-49. - Authority of police department officials.
Sec. 15-50. - Required obedience to traffic ordinance.
Sec. 15-51. - Unauthorized persons shall not direct traffic.
Sec. 15-52. - Obstruction or interference with police or authorized officers.
Article IV — TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES
Article V — SPEED
Article VI — TURNING MOVEMENTS
Article VII — ONE-WAY STREETS AND ALLEYS
Sec. 15-194. - Authority for stop signs and yield signs.
Sec. 15-211. - Penalty.
Sec. 15-212. - Stop when traffic obscured.
Sec. 15-213. - Driving through funeral or other procession.
Sec. 15-214. - Drivers in a procession.
Sec. 15-215. - Funeral processions to be identified.
Sec. 15-216. - When permits required for parades and processions.
Sec. 15-217. - Reckless driving prohibited.
Article X — PEDESTRIANS' RIGHTS AND DUTIES
Article XI — BICYCLES
Article XII — STOPPING, STANDING AND PARKING
Division 2 — CIVIL PENALTIES
Division 3 — ANGLE PARKING
Sec. 15-359. - City traffic engineer to designate no stopping zones and no parking areas.
Sec. 15-360. - Prohibited stopping, standing or parking.
Sec. 15-361. - Parking not to obstruct traffic.
Sec. 15-362. - Parking in alleys.
Sec. 15-363. - Parking for certain purposes prohibited.
Sec. 15-364. - Parking adjacent to schools.
Sec. 15-365. - Parking prohibited on narrow streets.
Sec. 15-366. - Standing or parking on one-way streets.
Sec. 15-367. - Standing or parking on one-way roadways.
Sec. 15-368. - Parking on grades.
Sec. 15-369. - Unlawful parking; peddlers, vendors.
Sec. 15-370. - Emergency parking signs.
Sec. 15-371. - Continuous parking.
Sec. 15-372. - Parking in public lots.
Sec. 15-403. - City traffic engineer to designate loading zones and passenger loading…
Sec. 15-404. - Effect of permission to load or unload.
Sec. 15-405. - City traffic engineer to designate public carrier stops and stands.
Sec. 15-406. - Restricted use of bus and taxicab stands.
Division 6 — PARKING FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
Sec. 15-461. - Oversize vehicles.
Sec. 15-462. - Permitted parking areas for oversize vehicles.
Sec. 15-463. - Prohibited oversize vehicle parking.
Sec. 15-464. - Prohibit heavy vehicle parking.
Article XIII — VEHICLE WEIGHT, SIZE AND LOAD
Sec. 15-508. - Penalty.
Sec. 15-509. - Findings.
Sec. 15-510. - Restrictions.
Sec. 15-511. - Muffler requirements.
Sec. 15-512. - Exceptions.
Sec. 15-532. - Violation of certain sections.
Sec. 15-533. - Findings and declarations.
Sec. 15-534. - Unlawful actions.
Sec. 15-535. - Abandoned vehicles, public highways.
Sec. 15-536. - Failure or refusal to remove.
Sec. 15-537. - Dismantlers and dealers.
Sec. 15-538. - Definitions.
Sec. 15-539. - Other nuisances.
Sec. 15-540. - Other regulation.
Sec. 15-541. - Administering officer.
Sec. 15-542. - Auto contractors or franchise holders.
Sec. 15-543. - Administrative costs, determination.
Sec. 15-544. - Notice of intention to remove.
Sec. 15-545. - Owner's right to hearing.
Sec. 15-546. - Action by hearing body.
Sec. 15-547. - Removal.
Sec. 15-548. - Notice of removal.
Sec. 15-549. - Assessment of costs.
Sec. 15-550. - Exclusions.
Chapter 16 — UTILITIES
Article II — SEWERS AND SEWAGE DISPOSAL
Sec. 16-46. - Application; general.
Sec. 16-47. - Application; contents.
Sec. 16-48. - Certification and recertification of class.
Sec. 16-49. - Multiple classes.
Sec. 16-50. - Fees; general.
Sec. 16-51. - Existing lateral connection.
Sec. 16-52. - New trunk or collector sewer required.
Sec. 16-53. - Existing collectors or trunk sewers.
Sec. 16-54. - Sewage connection fees; sewage units.
Sec. 16-55. - Off-site facilities charges.
Sec. 16-56. - Sewage connection fees; added fees.
Sec. 16-57. - Miscellaneous.
Sec. 16-58. - Sewage capacity fees.
Sec. 16-59. - Fees; deposits, accounts, expenditures, reports and refunds.
Sec. 16-77. - Land eligible; general.
Sec. 16-78. - System expansion; general.
Sec. 16-79. - Financing system expansion; trunk or collector sewers.
Sec. 16-80. - Financing system extensions; collector sewers.
Sec. 16-81. - Design and construction standards; general.
Sec. 16-82. - Design and construction standards; lateral connection to a trunk sewer.
Sec. 16-83. - Design and construction standards; collector connections to a trunk sewer.
Sec. 16-84. - Design and construction standards; additional requirements for industrial…
Sec. 16-112. - General usage.
Sec. 16-113. - Prohibited discharges and wastes.
Sec. 16-114. - Discharges requiring special permits; general.
Sec. 16-115. - Industrial wastes; limitations.
Sec. 16-116. - Protective measures; general.
Sec. 16-117. - Definitions.
Sec. 16-118. - National Categorical Pretreatment Standards.
Sec. 16-119. - Pretreatment compliance schedule.
Sec. 16-120. - Reporting requirements for permittee.
Sec. 16-121. - Public notification of violations.
Sec. 16-122. - State requirements.
Sec. 16-123. - More stringent limitations.
Sec. 16-144. - Definitions.
Sec. 16-145. - Penalty.
Sec. 16-146. - Public hearing by council.
Sec. 16-147. - Report by city engineer.
Sec. 16-148. - Council may designate underground utility districts by resolution.
Sec. 16-149. - Unlawful acts.
Sec. 16-150. - Exception, emergency or unusual circumstances.
Sec. 16-151. - Other exceptions.
Sec. 16-152. - Notice to property owners and utility companies.
Sec. 16-153. - Responsibility of utility companies.
Sec. 16-154. - Responsibility of property owners.
Sec. 16-155. - Responsibility of city.
Sec. 16-156. - Extension of time.

What this page contains

This page groups 477 sections — § 1-1 through § 16-156. The requirements are in them.

Site Feasibility Study · $99

Test a site before you design.

See how zoning, height limits, and setbacks shape what you could build—with an annotated concept and the reasoning behind it.

One site, one project idea. Preliminary analysis and concept massing.

View $99 study →

Scope confirmed before payment.

Get a plain-English answer with a citation back to this text.

Ask AI about this code

▸Contents — Ridgecrest Municipal Code

Ridgecrest Municipal Code