Earlier editions: 2026-09
Municipal code
Watsonville Municipal Code
The enacted municipal code of Watsonville, California, as published — every title, chapter, and section, verbatim and citable.
- Last updated
- 2026-10-05
- Contents
- 15 titles · 3,703 sections
- Jurisdiction
- Watsonville
Contents
▸Charter
Overview- Article I — INCORPORATION AND SUCCESSION
- Article II — POWERS OF THE CITY
- Article III — FORM OF GOVERNMENT
- Article IV — THE COUNCIL
- Article V — THE MAYOR
- Article VI — LEGISLATION
- Article VII — THE CITY MANAGER
- Article VIII — OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES
- Article IX — COMMISSIONS
- Article X — PERSONNEL SYSTEM
- Article XI — FISCAL ADMINISTRATION
- Article XII — FRANCHISES
- Article XIII — ELECTIONS
- Article XIV — SCHOOL SYSTEM
- Article XV — GENERAL PROVISIONS
▸Title 1 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
Overview- Chapter 1 — ADOPTION OF CODE
- Chapter 2 — PENALTY PROVISIONS
- Chapter 3 — RULES OF CONSTRUCTION
- Chapter 4 — APPEALS
- Chapter 5 — ELECTIONS
- Chapter 6 — ELECTION CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION CONTROL
- Chapter 7 — NAMING OF PUBLIC PLACES
- Chapter 8 — ELECTION PROCEDURES TO FILL A COUNCIL VACANCY
- Chapter 9 — ELECTRONIC AND PAPERLESS FILING OF FAIR POLITICAL PRACTICES COMMISSION CAMPAIGN DI…
▸Title 3 — FINANCE
Overview- Chapter 1 — CLAIMS AND WARRANTS
- Chapter 3 — FUNDS
- Chapter 4 — BUSINESS LICENSING
- Chapter 5 — PURCHASING PROCEDURES
- Chapter 6 — TAXATION
- Chapter 7 — REAL PROPERTY TRANSFER TAX
- Chapter 8 — HEALTH FACILITY FINANCING
- Chapter 9 — PUBLIC ENTERPRISE FINANCING LAW
- Chapter 10 — ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REVENUE
- Chapter 11 — CABLE TELEVISION FRANCHISES
- Chapter 12 — GEOLOGIC HAZARD ABATEMENT DISTRICT
- Chapter 13 — ENTERPRISE ZONE
- Chapter 14 — RESPONSIBLE CONTRACTORS—CITY CONTRACTS
- Chapter 15 — PARK DEVELOPMENT IMPACT FEES
▸Title 4 — PUBLIC SAFETY
Overview- Chapter 1 — BICYCLES
- Chapter 2 — EMERGENCY AND EMERGENCY SERVICES
- Chapter 3 — FIRE PREVENTION
- Chapter 4 — OFF-STREET PARKING
- Chapter 5 — TRAFFIC
- Chapter 6 — VEHICLE OFF-STREET PARKING DISTRICTS
- Chapter 7 — WEAPONS
- Chapter 8 — POLICE RESERVE
- Chapter 9 — SECURITY ALARM SYSTEMS
- Chapter 10 — INTERSTATE TRUCKS
- Chapter 11 — VEHICLE TOWING SERVICES
- Chapter 12 — ENFORCEMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH ORDERS
- Chapter 13 — MILITARY EQUIPMENT USE
▸Title 5 — PUBLIC WELFARE, MORALS, AND CONDUCT
Overview- Chapter 1 — ADVERTISING MATERIALS
- Chapter 2 — AIRCRAFT
- Chapter 3 — AMBULANCES
- Chapter 5 — AUCTIONS
- Chapter 6 — CARD ROOMS
- Chapter 7 — CLOSING-OUT SALES
- Chapter 8 — NOISE
- Chapter 9 — ENTERTAINMENT
- Chapter 10 — TRESPASSING
- Chapter 11 — FORTUNE-TELLING
- Chapter 12 — EVENTS ON PUBLIC PROPERTY
- Chapter 13 — INTOXICATION
- Chapter 14 — TRAVELING MERCHANTS
- Chapter 15 — LITTERING
- Chapter 16 — CURFEW FOR MINORS UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE
- Chapter 17 — NUISANCES
- Chapter 18 — PRIVATE SECURITY LICENSE
- Chapter 19 — SECOND-HAND AND JUNK DEALERS
- Chapter 20 — COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES ON STREETS AND SIDEWALKS
- Chapter 21 — SOCIAL HOST ACCOUNTABILITY
- Chapter 22 — TAXICABS
- Chapter 23 — UNCLAIMED LOST PROPERTY
- Chapter 24 — ABANDONED VEHICLES
- Chapter 25 — PROHIBITION OF CERTAIN OBNOXIOUS NUDE CONDUCT
- Chapter 26 — GARAGE/YARD SALES
- Chapter 27 — MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENTS
- Chapter 28 — BINGO
- Chapter 29 — MOTORCYCLES
- Chapter 30 — DISTRIBUTION AND DISPLAY OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA
- Chapter 31 — NEWS RACKS
- Chapter 32 — SIGNS AND HANDBILLS IN PUBLIC PLACES
- Chapter 33 — PROPERTY MAINTENANCE REGULATIONS
- Chapter 34 — SOUND AMPLIFIERS
- Chapter 35 — OBSTRUCTIONS
- Chapter 36 — CAMPING
- Chapter 37 — SMOKING CONTROL
- Chapter 38 — PROHIBITION OF DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF AIDS
- Chapter 39 — CIGARETTE AND TOBACCO VENDING MACHINES
- Chapter 40 — SECURITY DEPOSITS FOR RESIDENTIAL RENTAL PROPERTY
- Chapter 41 — GRAFFITI
- Chapter 42 — AEROSOL SPRAY PAINT CONTAINERS AND MARKER PENS
- Chapter 43 — AGGRESSIVE SOLICITATION
- Chapter 44 — REGULATIONS OF TOBACCO ADVERTISING AND SALES
- Chapter 45 — ABANDONED RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY MAINTENANCE AND REGISTRATION
- Chapter 46 — TOBACCO RETAILER LICENSE
- Chapter 47 — SHOPPING CART ORDINANCE
- Chapter 48 — SAFE DISPOSAL OF DRUGS AND SHARPS
- Chapter 49 — CANNABIS EQUITY PROGRAM
▸Title 6 — SANITATION AND HEALTH
Overview- Chapter 1 — ANIMALS
- Chapter 2 — FOOD HANDLING
- Chapter 3 — CITY UTILITIES
- Chapter 4 — BODY ARTIST PERMITS
- Chapter 6-5 — MEDICAL CANNABIS FACILITIES
- Chapter 6 — SINGLE-USE FOOD SERVICE WARE STANDARDS, ENVIRONMENTALLY ACCEPTABLE PRODUCTS, AND L…
- Chapter 7 — REDUCING SINGLE-USE PLASTIC CARRYOUT BAGS
- Chapter 6-8 — MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR THE RECYCLING OF ELECTRONIC WASTE
- Chapter 9 — HOSPITALITY PLASTIC POLLUTION REDUCTION
- Chapter 10 — MANDATORY ORGANIC WASTE DISPOSAL REDUCTION
▸Title 7 — PUBLIC WORKS
Overview- Chapter 1 — STREET EXCAVATIONS
- Chapter 2 — SIDEWALKS, DRIVEWAYS, CURBS, AND GUTTERS
- Chapter 3 — TELEPHONES IN PUBLIC RIGHTS-OF-WAY
- Chapter 4 — STREET IMPROVEMENTS
- Chapter 5 — UNDERGROUND UTILITIES
- Chapter 6 — EXCAVATIONS, GRADING, FILLING, AND EROSION CONTROL
- Chapter 7 — REMOVAL OF WEEDS AND DEBRIS
- Chapter 8 — MAILBOXES
- Chapter 9 — SOLAR SHADE CONTROL
- Chapter 10 — PAINTING OF STREETS
- Chapter 11 — STREET TREES
- Chapter 12 — PLAN LINES
- Chapter 13 — PRESERVATION OF HISTORICAL TREES
- Chapter 14 — PUBLIC WORKS BID REQUIREMENTS
- Chapter 15 — LOCAL HIRING—CONTRACTORS PROVIDING PUBLIC WORKS AND PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS
- Chapter 16 — UNDERGROUNDING OF UTILITIES REQUIRED
- Chapter 17 — PROJECT LABOR AGREEMENTS FOR PUBLIC WORKS CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
- Chapter 18 — WATSONVILLE MUNICIPAL AIRPORT
- Chapter 19 — PARKLETS
▸Title 8 — BUILDING REGULATIONS
Overview- Chapter 1 — ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS
- Chapter 2 — CALIFORNIA ADMINISTRATIVE CODE
- Chapter 3 — CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE—(VOLUMES 1 AND 2)
- Chapter 4 — CALIFORNIA RESIDENTIAL CODE
- Chapter 5 — CALIFORNIA ELECTRICAL CODE
- Chapter 6 — CALIFORNIA MECHANICAL CODE
- Chapter 7 — CALIFORNIA PLUMBING CODE
- Chapter 8 — CALIFORNIA ENERGY CODE
- Chapter 9 — CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE
- Chapter 10 — CALIFORNIA HISTORICAL BUILDING CODE
- Chapter 11 — CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE
- Chapter 90 — SUPPRESSION AND CONTROL OF FIRE IN WILDFIRE RISK AREAS
- Chapter 12 — CALIFORNIA EXISTING BUILDING CODE
- Chapter 13 — CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE
- Chapter 14 — CALIFORNIA REFERENCED STANDARDS CODE
- Chapter 15 — INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE
- Chapter 16 — ABATEMENT OF DANGEROUS BUILDINGS
- Chapter 17 — SMALL RESIDENTIAL ROOFTOP SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM REVIEW PROCESS
- Chapter 18 — ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING AND EXPEDITED PERMITTING
- Chapter 19 — RELOCATION ASSISTANCE FOR DISPLACED TENANTS
- Chapter 20 — MUNICIPAL SOLAR UTILITY
- Chapter 21 — PRESERVATION OF HISTORICAL, ARCHITECTURAL, AND AESTHETIC STRUCTURES
- Chapter 22 — PUBLIC ART PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
▸Title 10 — PUBLIC PARKS, PUBLIC FACILITIES, AND PARKING FACILITIES
▸Title 12 — LOCAL IMPROVEMENT PROCEDURE CODE
Overview- Chapter 1 — APPLICATION AND EFFECT
- Chapter 2 — DEFINITIONS
- Chapter 3 — INCIDENTAL EXPENSES
- Chapter 4 — REFERENCES
- Chapter 5 — NOTICES
- Chapter 6 — PUBLIC AND UTILITY PROPERTY
- Chapter 7 — CONTRIBUTIONS AND ADVANCES
- Chapter 8 — FORCE ACCOUNT
- Chapter 9 — REVOLVING FUNDS
- Chapter 10 — ASSESSMENT AND DIAGRAM
- Chapter 11 — PROTESTS
- Chapter 12 — HEARINGS
- Chapter 13 — MODIFICATIONS
- Chapter 14 — SUPPLEMENTAL ASSESSMENT
- Chapter 15 — CURATION
- Chapter 16 — ACQUISITION AND IMPROVEMENT PROCEDURE
- Chapter 17 — ASSESSMENT BOND PROCEDURE
- Chapter 18 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
▸Title 13 — SUBDIVISIONS AND MAPS
Overview- Chapter 1 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
- Chapter 2 — INTERPRETATION OF LANGUAGE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Chapter 3 — PROCEDURES
- Chapter 4 — SUBDIVISION MAPS (FIVE (5) OR MORE PARCELS)
- Chapter 5 — MINOR LAND DIVISIONS (FOUR (4) OR FEWER PARCELS)
- Chapter 6 — DEDICATIONS AND RESERVATIONS
- Chapter 7 — SUBDIVISION IMPROVEMENTS
- Chapter 8 — LOT LINE ADJUSTMENTS, LOT CONSOLIDATIONS, REVERSIONS TO ACREAGE AND MERGERS OF SUB…
- Chapter 9 — CONDOMINIUM CONVERSIONS
- Chapter 10 — VESTING TENTATIVE MAPS
- Chapter 11 — CORRECTION AND AMENDMENT OF MAPS
- Chapter 12 — ENFORCEMENT
- Chapter 13 — URBAN LOT SPLITS
▸Title 14 — ZONING
Overview- Chapter 14-02 — SHORT TITLE, PURPOSE, AND NATURE OF THE ZONING PLAN
- Chapter 14-04 — ESTABLISHMENT AND DESIGNATION OF DISTRICTS
- Chapter 14-08 — ZONING MAP
- Chapter 14-10 — ADMINISTRATION AND PROCEDURE
- Chapter 14-11 — REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
- Chapter 14-12 — ZONING PERMITS
- Chapter 14-14 — ENFORCEMENT
- Chapter 14-16 — DISTRICT REGULATIONS
- Chapter 14-17 — PARKING AND LOADING FACILITIES
- Chapter 14-18 — DEFINITIONS
- Chapter 14-20 — NONCONFORMING USES AND STRUCTURES
- Chapter 14-21 — SIGNS
- Chapter 14-22 — OFF-STREET PARKING AND LOADING FACILITIES
- Chapter 14-23 — ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS AND JUNIOR ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS
- Chapter 14-24 — ADULT ACTIVITY REGULATIONS
- Chapter 14-25 — ALCOHOL-RELATED USES
- Chapter 14-26 — OUTDOOR DISPLAYS AND SALES OF MERCHANDISE
- Chapter 14-27 — BODY ART FACILITIES
- Chapter 14-28 — ANIMALS
- Chapter 14-29 — HEALTHY EATING OPTIONS
- Chapter 14-30 — PARKING IN REQUIRED FRONT YARDS
- Chapter 14-32 — FENCES
- Chapter 14-33 — RIGHT TO FARM
- Chapter 14-34 — RECYCLING AND FACILITY ORDINANCE
- Chapter 14-35 — TELECOMMUNICATIONS USES
- Chapter 14-36 — MINI WAREHOUSE DEVELOPMENT
- Chapter 14-38 — SPECIFIC PLAN OF STREETS AND HIGHWAYS
- Chapter 14-40 — GENERAL PROVISIONS, EXCEPTIONS, AND MODIFICATIONS
- Chapter 14-41 — DRIVE-THROUGH FACILITY RESTRICTIONS
- Chapter 14-43 — EMERGENCY SHELTERS
- Chapter 14-44 — ONSHORE OIL FACILITIES
- Chapter 14-45 — RESIDENTIAL OCCUPANCY STANDARDS
- Chapter 14-46 — AFFORDABLE HOUSING ORDINANCE
- Chapter 14-47 — DENSITY BONUS
- Chapter 14-48 — SINGLE ROOM OCCUPANCY RESIDENTIAL HOTELS
- Chapter 14-49 — SIDEWALK CAFES ON PUBLIC RIGHTS-OF-WAY
- Chapter 14-50 — FIRE IMPACT FEE
- Chapter 14-51 — CARBON FUND PROGRAM
- Chapter 14-53 — CANNABIS FACILITIES
- Chapter 14-54 — TWO (2) UNIT DEVELOPMENTS
- Chapter 14-55 — LOW BARRIER NAVIGATION CENTERS