Municipal code
San Marcos Municipal Code
The enacted municipal code of San Marcos, California, as published — every title, chapter, and section, verbatim and citable.
- Edition
- 2026-09
- Last updated
- 2026-09-30
- Contents
- 4 sections
- Jurisdiction
- San Marcos
Contents
▸Title 2 — ADMINISTRATION AND PERSONNEL
Overview- Chapter 2.04 — GENERAL
- Chapter 2.08 — CITY COUNCIL
- Chapter 2.12 — CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
- Chapter 2.14 — ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS
- Chapter 2.16 — CONTROLS ON CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS
- Chapter 2.20 — CITY OFFICERS
- Chapter 2.22 — ELECTRONIC FILING OF CAMPAIGN DISCLOSURE STATEMENTS AND STATEMENTS OF ECONOMIC …
- Chapter 2.24 — CLAIMS AGAINST THE CITY
▸Chapter 2.28 — EMERGENCY SERVICES
- Chapter 2.29 — EMERGENCY PRICE CONTROLS
- Chapter 2.30 — PURCHASING
- Chapter 2.32 — SURPLUS PROPERTY
▸Title 5 — BUSINESS REGULATIONS
Overview- Chapter 5.04 — UNIFORM LICENSING PROCEDURES
- Chapter 5.08 — AMUSEMENT DEVICES AND ESTABLISHMENTS
- Chapter 5.10 — ENTERTAINMENT LICENSE
- Chapter 5.12 — DANCES AND DANCE HALLS
- Chapter 5.16 — TEENAGE DANCES
▸Chapter 5.20 — SOLICITATIONS
- Chapter 5.23 — TOWING SERVICES
- Chapter 5.24 — JUNK, AUTOMOBILE WRECKING AND NONOPERATING VEHICLE STORAGE YARDS
- Chapter 5.28 — SECONDHAND DEALERS/PAWNBROKERS
- Chapter 5.32 — AIRCRAFT TICKET BROKERS
- Chapter 5.36 — CIRCUSES, CARNIVALS AND AMUSEMENT CENTERS
- Chapter 5.40 — DISTRIBUTION OF COUPON BOOKS
- Chapter 5.42 — VENDING OF PRINTED MATTER FROM PUBLIC STREETS
- Chapter 5.44 — MASSAGE AND MASSAGE TECHNICIANS
- Chapter 5.46 — BATHHOUSES
- Chapter 5.48 — TAXICABS AND TAXICAB OPERATORS
- Chapter 5.52 — AMBULANCES
- Chapter 5.54 — CANNABIS (MARIJUANA)
- Chapter 5.55 — TOBACCO RETAIL LICENSE
- Chapter 5.56 — SWAP MEETS
- Chapter 5.60 — FIREARMS
- Chapter 5.64 — INSPECTION OF AVOCADOS BEING TRANSPORTED
- Chapter 5.68 — BINGO GAMES
- Chapter 5.72 — COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS
- Chapter 5.74 — TRANSIENT LODGING FACILITIES
- Chapter 5.75 — DISTRIBUTION, SALE, AND USE OF SINGLE USE PLASTIC FOOD SERVICE WARE AND OTHER P…
▸Title 6 — ANIMAL CONTROL
▸Title 8 — HEALTH AND SANITATION
Overview▸Chapter 8.04 — FOOD
Overview- Article I — DEFINITIONS AND GENERAL PROVISIONS
- Article II — PUBLIC HEALTH PERMIT
- Article III — GENERAL REGULATIONS
- Article IV — BEVERAGES
- Article V — MOBILE FOOD FACILITIES
- Article VI — VENDING MACHINES
- Article VII — FOOD HANDLERS
- Article VIII — DESTRUCTION OF SPOILED FOOD
- Article IX — FOOD CATERERS AND CATERING EQUIPMENT RENTALS
- Article X — REGULATION OF WHOLESALE FOOD WAREHOUSES
▸Chapter 8.08 — CROPS AND PLANTS
- Chapter 8.16 — PERMIT FEES AND PROCEDURES FOR BUSINESSES AND HEALTH REGULATED ACTIVITIES
- Chapter 8.20 — CAMPS AND PICNIC GROUNDS
▸Chapter 8.24 — REFRIGERATION PLANTS
- Chapter 8.28 — REDUCTION PLANTS
- Chapter 8.32 — ENFORCEMENT OF STATE HOUSING LAW
- Chapter 8.36 — PERMITS FOR APARTMENTS AND HOTELS
▸Chapter 8.40 — SWIMMING POOLS
- Chapter 8.44 — WELLS
▸Chapter 8.48 — SEWERS AND SEWAGE DISPOSAL PLANTS
- Chapter 8.52 — CONNECTIONS TO SEWER
- Chapter 8.60 — SEPTIC TANK AND CESSPOOL CLEANERS
- Chapter 8.64 — ABATEMENT OF WEEDS, SHRUBS, DEAD TREES AND CERTAIN WASTE MATTER
▸Chapter 8.68 — GARBAGE AND REFUSE COLLECTION
- Chapter 8.70 — MEDICAL WASTE
- Chapter 8.72 — ACCUMULATION OF JUNK
- Chapter 8.76 — RECOVERY OF EMERGENCY RESPONSE EXPENSES
- Chapter 8.80 — SMOKING IN CERTAIN PUBLIC PLACES
- Chapter 8.84 — RENTAL OF SUBSTANDARD HOUSING
- Chapter 8.88 — ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE WARNING SIGNS
- Chapter 8.92 — AIDS DISCRIMINATION
- Chapter 8.95 — TATTOO PARLORS/BODY ARTS FACILITIES
▸Title 10 — PUBLIC SAFETY, MORALS AND WELFARE
Overview- Chapter 10.04 — NUISANCE ABATEMENT PROCEDURE—REAL PROPERTY
- Chapter 10.08 — RACE DISCRIMINATION
- Chapter 10.10 — YOUTH ACCESS TO SMOKING MATERIALS
- Chapter 10.11 — ENFORCEMENT/RESPONSE SERVICES AT PARTIES AND EVENTS; AND USE, CONSUMPTION OR S…
- Chapter 10.12 — SOLICITING TORT CLAIMS
- Chapter 10.16 — CARD ROOMS AND GAMBLING
- Chapter 10.20 — CURFEW
- Chapter 10.22 — DAYTIME LOITERING OF JUVENILES IN PUBLIC PLACES ON SCHOOL DAYS
- Chapter 10.23 — INTIMIDATION FREE ZONES
- Chapter 10.24 — NOISE
- Chapter 10.28 — ALARM SYSTEMS
- Chapter 10.30 — GRAFFITI
- Chapter 10.32 — MISCELLANEOUS OFFENSES
- Chapter 10.33 — ENCAMPMENTS ON CITY PROPERTY
- Chapter 10.34 — RENTAL HOUSING USED FOR DRUG ACTIVITY
- Chapter 10.36 — LAW ENFORCEMENT FORFEITED PROPERTY AND ASSETS PROGRAM
- Chapter 10.38 — DISTURBANCE ABATEMENT
- Chapter 10.40 — NEWSRACK AND NEWS STAND REGULATIONS
- Chapter 10.42 — NUDITY, URINATION OR DEFECATION IN PUBLIC RIGHTS-OF-WAY AND PUBLIC PLACES
- Chapter 10.43 — DISTRIBUTION OR SOLICITATION TO OR FROM PERSONS IN VEHICLES ON PUBLIC ROADWAYS…
- Chapter 10.46 — ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES—RESPONSIBLE BEVERAGE SALES AND SERVICE
- Chapter 10.48 — PROPERTY VALUE PROTECTION AND NEIGHBORHOOD PRESERVATION
- Chapter 10.50 — PSYCHOACTIVE BATH SALTS AND PSYCHOACTIVE HERBAL INCENSE AND OTHER SYNTHETIC DR…
- Chapter 10.52 — TARGETED RESIDENTIAL PICKETING
▸Title 12 — MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC
Overview- Chapter 12.04 — GENERAL
▸Chapter 12.08 — ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT
- Chapter 12.12 — TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES
- Chapter 12.16 — OPERATION
▸Chapter 12.20 — STOPPING, STANDING AND PARKING
- Chapter 12.24 — PEDESTRIAN REGULATIONS
- Chapter 12.25 — BICYCLE AND ELECTRIC BICYCLE REGULATIONS
- Chapter 12.28 — PARADES, PROCESSIONS AND RALLIES
- Chapter 12.29 — PROHIBITION OF SPECTATORS AT ILLEGAL SPEED CONTESTS OR EXHIBITIONS OF SPEED
- Chapter 12.32 — ABANDONED AND WRECKED VEHICLES
- Chapter 12.40 — TRUCK ROUTES
- Chapter 12.44 — INTERSTATE TRUCKS
- Chapter 12.45 — SPEED LIMITS ON CERTAIN GRADES
▸Title 13 — AIRPORTS AND CEMETERIES
Overview▸Chapter 13.04 — AIRPORTS
- Chapter 13.08 — CEMETERIES
▸Title 14 — CONSTRUCTION WITHIN STREETS, SIDEWALKS, AND PUBLIC PLACES; UNDERGROUND UTILITY FACI…
Overview- Chapter 14.04 — PUBLIC PLACES—APPLICATIONS, PERMITS, AND GENERAL PROVISIONS
- Chapter 14.08 — MOVING BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES
- Chapter 14.12 — TEMPORARY EXCAVATIONS, FILLS AND OBSTRUCTIONS
- Chapter 14.15 — STORM WATER MANAGEMENT AND DISCHARGE CONTROL
- Chapter 14.16 — CONSTRUCTION ON OR WITHIN A PUBLIC PLACE
▸Chapter 14.20 — PLANTING, TRIMMING AND REMOVAL OF TREES AND SHRUBS
- Chapter 14.21 — ENCROACHMENTS
- Chapter 14.24 — UNDERGROUND UTILITY FACILITIES
- Chapter 14.25 — DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND VIDEO COMPETITION
▸Title 15 — MUNICIPAL UTILITY
▸Title 16 — MOBILEHOMES AND MOBILEHOME PARKS
Overview- Chapter 16.04 — PARK RULES AND REGULATIONS
▸Chapter 16.08 — USE AND STORAGE OF TRAILERS
- Chapter 16.12 — MOBILEHOME PARK CONVERSIONS
- Chapter 16.16 — MOBILEHOME RENT REVIEW COMMISSION
- Chapter 16.20 — SALE OF MOBILEHOME PARKS
- Chapter 16.24 — MOBILEHOME INSTALLATION REGULATIONS
- Chapter 16.28 — TEMPORARY RENTAL OF MOBILEHOMES IN MOBILEHOME PARKS
▸Title 17 — BUILDINGS, CONSTRUCTION, AND RELATED ACTIVITIES
Overview- Chapter 17.02 — CALIFORNIA ADMINISTRATIVE CODE
- Chapter 17.04 — CALIFORNIA ENERGY CODE
- Chapter 17.08 — CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE
- Chapter 17.10 — ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATION REVIEW PROCESS
- Chapter 17.12 — CALIFORNIA ELECTRICAL CODE
- Chapter 17.16 — CALIFORNIA PLUMBING CODE
- Chapter 17.20 — CALIFORNIA MECHANICAL CODE
- Chapter 17.22 — CALIFORNIA RESIDENTIAL CODE
- Chapter 17.24 — UNIFORM HOUSING CODE
- Chapter 17.26 — UNIFORM CODE FOR ABATEMENT OF DANGEROUS BUILDINGS
- Chapter 17.27 — CALIFORNIA HISTORICAL BUILDING CODE
- Chapter 17.28 — CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING CODE STANDARDS
- Chapter 17.29 — CALIFORNIA REFERENCED STANDARDS CODE
- Chapter 17.30 — CALIFORNIA EXISTING BUILDING CODE
- Chapter 17.32 — GRADING AND RELATED ACTIVITIES
- Chapter 17.36 — PARK AND RECREATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONSTRUCTION UNIT FEE
- Chapter 17.40 — STREET DEDICATION REQUIREMENTS
- Chapter 17.44 — DEVELOPMENT USER FEES AND PUBLIC FACILITIES EXACTIONS, FEES AND/OR COSTS
- Chapter 17.52 — SCHOOL FEES AND LAND DEDICATION
- Chapter 17.54 — REQUIREMENT OF REIMBURSEMENT OF CITY EXPENDITURES FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROG…
- Chapter 17.56 — REIMBURSEMENT DISTRICTS
- Chapter 17.60 — BLASTING OPERATIONS
▸Title 18 — ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
▸Title 19 — SUBDIVISIONS
Overview- Chapter 19.04 — GENERAL REGULATIONS
- Chapter 19.08 — FEES
- Chapter 19.12 — MAJOR SUBDIVISIONS—PROCEDURE
- Chapter 19.16 — MAJOR SUBDIVISIONS—REQUIREMENTS
- Chapter 19.17 — VESTING TENTATIVE MAPS
- Chapter 19.20 — FINAL MAP REQUIREMENTS
- Chapter 19.24 — MINOR SUBDIVISION—PROCEDURE
- Chapter 19.28 — MINOR SUBDIVISIONS—REQUIREMENTS
- Chapter 19.32 — PARCEL MAP REQUIREMENTS
- Chapter 19.36 — ADJUSTMENT PLATS
- Chapter 19.40 — REVERSIONS TO ACREAGE
- Chapter 19.44 — URBAN LOT SPLIT SUBDIVISION REQUIREMENTS
- Chapter 19.48 — ENFORCEMENT—CERTIFICATES OF COMPLIANCE
▸Title 20 — ZONING
Overview- Chapter 20.100 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
▸Chapter 20.200 — ESTABLISHMENT OF ZONES
- Chapter 20.205 — LAND USE AND DEVELOPMENT APPROVAL
- Chapter 20.210 — AGRICULTURAL ZONES
- Chapter 20.215 — RESIDENTIAL ZONES
- Chapter 20.220 — COMMERCIAL ZONES
- Chapter 20.225 — MIXED USE ZONES
- Chapter 20.230 — INDUSTRIAL ZONES
- Chapter 20.235 — TRANSITIONAL ZONES
- Chapter 20.240 — PUBLIC, INSTITUTIONAL, AND OPEN SPACE ZONES
- Chapter 20.245 — RESIDENTIAL MANUFACTURED HOME PARK ZONE
- Chapter 20.250 — SPECIFIC PLAN AREA ZONE
- Chapter 20.255 — FLOOD DAMAGE PREVENTION OVERLAY ZONE
- Chapter 20.260 — RIDGELINE PROTECTION & MANAGEMENT OVERLAY ZONE
- Chapter 20.265 — AIRPORT OVERLAY ZONE
- Chapter 20.300 — SITE PLANNING AND GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
- Chapter 20.305 — DENSITY BONUS
- Chapter 20.310 — INCLUSIONARY HOUSING
- Chapter 20.315 — RESIDENTIAL GROWTH MANAGEMENT
- Chapter 20.320 — SIGNS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY
- Chapter 20.325 — SIGNS ON CITY PROPERTY
- Chapter 20.330 — WATER EFFICIENT LANDSCAPE STANDARDS
- Chapter 20.335 — WALLS AND FENCES
- Chapter 20.340 — OFF-STREET PARKING AND LOADING
- Chapter 20.345 — NONCONFORMING USES AND STRUCTURES
- Chapter 20.350 — SPECIAL HOUSING APPLICATIONS
- Chapter 20.360 — TRANSPORTATION DEMAND MANAGEMENT
- Chapter 20.400 — SPECIFIC USE STANDARDS
- Chapter 20.405 — ADULT ENTERTAINMENT ESTABLISHMENTS
- Chapter 20.410 — ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS AND ACCESSORY STRUCTURES
- Chapter 20.415 — ANIMALS
- Chapter 20.420 — AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES
- Chapter 20.425 — BARS, ALCOHOL SERVICE, AND ENTERTAINMENT
- Chapter 20.430 — CONDOMINIUM CONVERSIONS
- Chapter 20.435 — PLANNED RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT
- Chapter 20.440 — REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
- Chapter 20.445 — REFUSE AND RECYCLING
- Chapter 20.450 — RENEWABLE ENERGY
- Chapter 20.455 — TEMPORARY EVENTS
- Chapter 20.460 — SURFACE MINING
- Chapter 20.465 — WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES
- Chapter 20.470 — TWO-UNIT RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS IN SINGLE FAMILY ZONES
- Chapter 20.500 — PERMITS AND APPLICATIONS PROCESS
- Chapter 20.505 — NOTICING AND PUBLIC HEARINGS
- Chapter 20.510 — DIRECTOR'S PERMITS
- Chapter 20.515 — SITE DEVELOPMENT PLAN REVIEW
- Chapter 20.520 — CONDITIONAL USE PERMITS
- Chapter 20.525 — VARIANCES
- Chapter 20.530 — AMENDMENTS
- Chapter 20.535 — SPECIFIC PLANS
- Chapter 20.540 — DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS
- Chapter 20.545 — APPEALS AND REVOCATIONS
- Chapter 20.550 — ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTY
- Chapter 20.600 — DEFINITIONS