Carmel-by-the-Sea · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Carmel-by-the-Sea

Carmel-by-the-Sea limits the size and number of accessory buildings on a building site. Guesthouses and accessory dwelling units follow their own limits.

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Key points

Accessory size: City rule: each accessory building or structure is limited to 400 square feet of floor area, with at most 2 per building site.
Combined structures: Two accessory structures combined into one are limited to 75% of the primary structure's floor area.

Each rule below is marked Carmel-by-the-Sea code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Carmel-by-the-Sea code What Carmel-by-the-Sea's code adds
Size or lot coverage	Each accessory building or structure can be at most 400 square feet of floor area. Applies: No more than 2 per building site. Guesthouses, accessory dwelling units and combined structures follow their own limits. § 17.08.050 · code text Accessory buildings and structures shall not exceed 400 square feet in floor area except: (a) as provided for guesthouses, (b) as provided for interior accessory dwelling units and new structure accessory dwelling units, and (c) as provided in subsection (A)(3) of this section. At most 75% of the main building's floor area. Applies: When 2 accessory structures are combined into a single structure. It also cannot exceed what 2 separate structures would be allowed. § 17.08.050 · code text Two accessory structures (such as a garage and a guesthouse) may be combined into a single structure as long as the combined floor area does not exceed what would be allowed for two independent structures and does not exceed 75 percent of the floor area of the primary structure.
No permit needed up to	Storage sheds of 120 square feet or less need no building permit. Applies: Only sheds with no plumbing or electrical connections. § 17.08.050 · code text Storage sheds of 120 square feet or less and containing no plumbing or electrical connections shall not require a building permit.

Solar panels and EV chargers

Carmel-by-the-Sea code What Carmel-by-the-Sea's code adds
Solar height and setbacks	The panel or module array cannot be taller than the maximum legal building height. Applies: To qualify as a small residential rooftop solar system for expedited review. § 15.38.010 · code text A solar panel or module array that does not exceed the maximum legal building height as defined by the authority having jurisdiction.
Solar permit process	Apply in person, by mail or electronically (email, Internet or fax), with the required permit processing and inspection fees. Applies: Applies to small residential rooftop solar energy systems. § 15.38.010 · code text The applicant may submit the permit application and associated documentation to the City's building division by personal, mailed, or electronic submittal together with any required permit processing and inspection fees. Administrative approval and all required permits once the application is confirmed complete and meets the checklist. Applies: Small residential rooftop solar systems eligible for expedited review. § 15.38.010 · code text Upon confirmation by the Building Official of the application and supporting documentation being complete and meeting the requirements of the checklist, the Building Official shall administratively approve the application and issue all required permits or authorizations.

Tree removal

Carmel-by-the-Sea code What Carmel-by-the-Sea's code adds
Penalty	The building permit can be suspended. Applies: Failing to protect or maintain trees on construction or demolition sites. § 17.48.110 · code text Failure to protect or maintain trees on construction/demolition sites is a violation of the municipal code and grounds for suspension of the building permit.
Permit to remove	Yes. Trees that must be kept or planted under a removal permit cannot be moved without a permit. § 17.48.110 · code text At no time shall these trees be moved without the issuance of a valid permit.
Protected trees	All trees on a building site must be inventoried and protected by barricades during construction or demolition. Applies: Trees that do not have a removal permit. § 17.48.110 · code text Prior to the commencement of construction, demolition or tree removal, all trees on the building site shall be inventoried by the owner or contractor as to size, species and location on the lot
Replacement trees	Required replacement trees must be maintained for at least 5 years. Applies: Trees that must be planted as a condition of a tree removal permit. § 17.48.110 · code text Trees required to be kept on a building site and trees required to be planted as a condition of tree removal permit approval shall be maintained according to accepted arboricultural practices for a minimum of five years from the completion of construction or the date that the tree is planted.

Pets, chickens and bees

Carmel-by-the-Sea code What Carmel-by-the-Sea's code adds
Chickens	Yes, up to 2 hens per building site; no roosters. Applies: R-1 district only. § 6.08.180 · code text A maximum of two chicken hens may be permitted per building site in the R-1 district only.
Large animals	Pigs are prohibited; barnyard fowl are prohibited except chicken hens. Applies: Applies within city limits. § 6.08.120 · code text It is unlawful, and is declared a nuisance, for any person or persons to keep or cause to be kept any swine or barnyard fowl, with the exception of chicken hens, within the corporate limits of the City.
Permit	The enclosure needs Track 1 Design Study approval before installation; properties within 100 feet are notified. Applies: Keeping chicken hens. § 6.08.180 · code text A Track 1 Design Study application shall be submitted to the Department of Community Planning and Building for approval of the location and design of the enclosure prior to installation. The city issues no more than 5 permits. Applies: Keeping chicken hens. § 6.08.180 · code text No more than five permits shall be issued by the City.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How big can a shed or accessory building be in Carmel-by-the-Sea?

City rule: each accessory building or structure is limited to 400 square feet of floor area, with at most 2 per building site. Two accessory structures combined into one are limited to 75% of the primary structure's floor area.

Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Carmel-by-the-Sea's code: The panel or module array cannot be taller than the maximum legal building height. (To qualify as a small residential rooftop solar system for expedited review.) (§ 15.38.010); Apply in person, by mail or electronically (email, Internet or fax), with the required permit processing and inspection fees. (Applies to small residential rooftop solar energy systems.) (§ 15.38.010).

Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Carmel-by-the-Sea's code: The building permit can be suspended. (Failing to protect or maintain trees on construction or demolition sites.) (§ 17.48.110); Yes. Trees that must be kept or planted under a removal permit cannot be moved without a permit. (§ 17.48.110).

Can I keep chickens or bees at my home in Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Carmel-by-the-Sea's code: Yes, up to 2 hens per building site; no roosters. (R-1 district only.) (§ 6.08.180); Pigs are prohibited; barnyard fowl are prohibited except chicken hens. (Applies within city limits.) (§ 6.08.120).

General information, not legal advice.

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Carmel-by-the-Sea Municipal Code — full text

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Carmel-by-the-Sea overview