Local jurisdiction · Monterey County

Monterey County Zoning, Planning & Building Codes

What you can build in Monterey County depends on its local zoning and planning code, layered on the California Building Standards Code. Ask GoCodebook about any Monterey County address.

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Key points

Zoning districts & allowed uses Setbacks & height limits FAR, lot coverage & density Building permits Remodels & change of use ADUs & JADUs Parking requirements Planning & design review

Last reviewed: July 6, 2026

Overview

Monterey County regulates land use in its unincorporated areas through two parallel zoning frameworks: a coastal-side ordinance and an inland-side ordinance. What’s retrieved here is the County’s certified Coastal Zoning Ordinance (Title 20), which applies only within the unincorporated Coastal Zone; inland rules are in a separate inland zoning title not included in the retrieved record. The coastal ordinance lays out district-by-district use permissions, development standards, and a Coastal Development Permit process keyed to the County’s Local Coastal Program. In practice, many proposals layer base districts with combining/overlay districts (e.g., Design Control, Historic Resources), standard countywide regulations (parking, signs), and area-specific policies (e.g., Big Sur, Del Monte Forest) before you reach building permits. Title 20 confirms it is the Coastal Zoning Ordinance and applies only to unincorporated areas within the Coastal Zone (§ 20.02.010) .

Plain-English anchor: In the unincorporated Coastal Zone, most “development” needs a Coastal Development Permit unless expressly exempt—this is the County’s gatekeeper review aligned with the Coastal Act (§ 20.70.025; § 20.70.020) .

How Monterey County’s code is organized

Here’s how to navigate Monterey County’s coastal-side zoning code structure for unincorporated areas:

  • Title 20 identifies itself as the County’s Coastal Zoning Ordinance and incorporates the Zoning Plan (district maps) for the Coastal Zone (§ 20.02.010; § 20.02.020) .
  • The ordinance establishes districts, development regulations, and permit processes tied to the certified Local Coastal Program; allowable uses are limited to those listed or found consistent with the LCP (§ 20.02.040) .
  • District chapters are grouped by use type (e.g., residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, resource/open space). Each chapter includes purpose, applicability, allowed/conditional uses, and “Site Development Standards” covering height, setbacks, coverage, landscaping, lighting, parking, and signage (e.g., §§ 20.18.070, 20.22.070, 20.24.070, 20.26.070, 20.28.070; all reference Ch. 20.58 for parking and Ch. 20.60 for signs) .
  • Cross-cutting procedures live in common chapters: Coastal Development Permits (§§ 20.70.010–.050), Coastal Administrative Permits (Ch. 20.76), Variances (Ch. 20.78), and Combined Development Permits (Ch. 20.82) .
  • Countywide standards that apply within coastal districts include parking (Ch. 20.58) and signage (Ch. 20.60; cited by district chapters) (§§ 20.58.010–.030) .

If you’re looking for the inland zoning structure (e.g., an “Inland Zoning Ordinance”), it is not present in the retrieved materials; confirm inland Title and sections with the County (Not found in retrieved materials).

Zoning district families

The coastal framework uses named district families with Monterey County–specific designations. Common families and examples include:

  • Residential districts
    • HDR (CZ) — High Density Residential (e.g., 5–8 du/ac principal allowances) (§ 20.10.040) .
    • LDR (CZ) — Low Density Residential; typical base standards appear in § 20.14.070 (see below) .
    • RDR (CZ) — Rural Density Residential (§ 20.16.010; site standards at § 20.16.070) .
    • WSC (CZ) — Watershed & Scenic Conservation (§ 20.17.020) .
  • Commercial districts
    • VSC (CZ) — Visitor-Serving Commercial (§ 20.22.010; site standards at § 20.22.070) .
    • CGC (CZ) — General Commercial Coastal (site standards at § 20.18.070) .
    • MLC (CZ) — Moss Landing Commercial, with unique height measured to 24 ft above Moss Landing Rd centerline (§ 20.20.070.A.1) .
  • Industrial districts
    • LI (CZ) — Light Industrial (§ 20.26.070) .
    • HI (CZ) — Heavy Industrial (§ 20.28.070) .
    • AI (CZ) — Agricultural Industrial (§ 20.24.070) .
  • Agricultural/open space & conservation
    • CAP (CZ) — Coastal Agricultural Preserve (§ 20.30.010) .
    • RC (CZ) — Resource Conservation (§ 20.36.010; site standards at § 20.36.060) .
    • OR (CZ) — Open Space Recreation (§ 20.38.010) .

Several coastal residential districts also reference slope-based density controls and Big Sur–specific limits—for example, slope density in RDR/WSC and Big Sur densities called out in Implementation Plan policies (§ 20.145 references via §§ 20.10.030, 20.14.030, 20.16.030; slope-density usage in coastal implementation excerpts) .

Citywide development standards

Each district chapter includes its own “Site Development Standards.” At a scan level for the unincorporated Coastal Zone:

  • Residential examples
    • RDR (CZ): Main structure setbacks 30 ft front / 20 ft side / 20 ft rear; max height 30 ft; minimum distances between structures (20/10/6 ft); max lot coverage 25%; parking per Ch. 20.58 (§ 20.16.070.C–I) .
    • LDR (CZ): Similar base pattern—main structure setbacks 30/20/20 ft, height 30 ft, minimum distances 20/10/6 ft, and coverage 15%; FAR caps apply in Del Monte Forest (20% for LDR/1, 17.5% for LDR/1.5 and LDR/2) (§ 20.14.070.E–F) .
    • RC (CZ): Strict open-space metrics—coverage 5%, setbacks 30/20/20 ft, and distances 20/10/6 ft; parking per Ch. 20.58 (§ 20.36.060) .
  • Commercial/industrial examples
    • VSC (CZ): Max height typically 35 ft unless a lower mapped cap applies; coverage 50%; minimum landscaping 10%; setbacks set by General Development Plan or case review; parking per Ch. 20.58; signage per Ch. 20.60 (§ 20.22.070) .
    • CGC (CZ), AI (CZ), LI (CZ), HI (CZ): A common pattern—baseline max height 35 ft (unless a stricter mapped cap), coverage 50%, and 10% minimum landscaping; setbacks via General Development Plan or set by the Appropriate Authority case-by-case; parking per Ch. 20.58; signage per Ch. 20.60 (§§ 20.18.070, 20.24.070, 20.26.070, 20.28.070) .

For a quick at-a-glance understanding of where numbers live, see Monterey County Development Standards.

Specific plans & overlays

Monterey County layers several area-specific policies and combining districts over the base zoning:

  • Local Coastal Program area plans govern the Coastal Zone; Title 20 implements these plans and requires consistency findings with the LCP before permits can be approved (§ 20.02.020; § 20.02.060.A; LCP definition at § 20.06.755) .
  • Big Sur Coast has unique programs such as the Transfer of Development Credits (TDC) program, with objectives and procedures codified in § 20.64.190 (e.g., program objectives and donor/receiver site designation) (§ 20.64.190.020; § 20.64.190.040) .
  • Combining/overlay districts frequently used:
    • Design Control “D” — Requires a “Design Approval” for structure location, size, materials, and colors in designated areas; submittals and review are in Ch. 20.44 (§§ 20.44.010, 20.44.030, 20.44.060, 20.44.080) .
    • Historic Resources “HR” — Triggers Historic Resources Review Board input and CDP requirements for alterations to designated resources (§ 20.54.060; § 20.54.080) .
    • Improvement “Z” — Requires curb/gutter/sidewalk and related improvements in certain areas before new permits issue (Ch. 20.56) (§ 20.56.030) .
    • References to combining “B” districts appear throughout site standards, indicating mapped setback lines/building envelopes further constrain siting (e.g., LI/HI/AI/CGC standards referencing “B” combining) (§§ 20.26.070.A.4, 20.28.070.A.4, 20.24.070.A.4, 20.18.070.A.4) .

See Monterey County Overlay Districts and Monterey County Historic Preservation for how these layers operate during review.

Building permits & review

Development approvals in the unincorporated Coastal Zone typically follow this sequence:

  • Determine if your proposal is “development.” Most development requires a Coastal Development Permit (CDP); some listed “Principal Uses Allowed—Coastal Administrative Permit required” follow Ch. 20.76 instead (§ 20.70.025; § 20.70.010) .
  • CDPs must be heard at a public hearing and require specific findings (e.g., consistency with LCP, site suitability) before approval (§ 20.70.050.A–B) .
  • If multiple discretionary entitlements are needed (e.g., CDP + Variance), the County can combine them under a single [Combined Development Permit] to streamline the process (Ch. 20.82) (§§ 20.82.010–.050) .
  • Variances are available for relief from standards like setbacks/coverage/height when strict application would deprive privileges; they require public hearing findings and cannot authorize uses not otherwise allowed (Ch. 20.78) (§§ 20.78.030–.050) .
  • In Design Control areas, you must secure Design Approval before a building permit will be issued; the decision-maker may require conditions for compliance (§ 20.44.080; § 20.44.060) .
  • Once land-use approvals are in hand, building permits are reviewed under the California Building Standards Code. Enforcement provisions for zoning compliance appear in Ch. 20.90 (§ 20.90.020; § 20.90.040) .

For design process details in coastal “D” districts, see Monterey County Design Review.

State housing law in Monterey County

State housing mandates overlay local zoning. In the Coastal Zone, Monterey County codifies several state-aligned tools:

  • Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and Junior ADUs (JADUs)
    • Definitions are incorporated in the coastal code (§§ 20.06.375; 20.06.376) .
    • The County’s ADU development standards include: allowance for detached ADUs at 16–18 ft (up to 20 ft with qualifying transit/roof-pitch conditions), 4 ft side/rear setbacks for new ADUs, size caps (generally up to 1,200 sf in Carmel Area/North County/Del Monte Forest and up to 1,000 sf in Big Sur/B-8 areas), and case-specific parking rules via Implementation Plan Appendix 15, with potential exemption for interior conversions in certain cases (§ 20.64.030; including provisions summarized at § 20.22.050.G and § 20.64.030.G) .
    • Many districts explicitly allow ADUs/JADUs subject to § 20.64.030 (e.g., HDR § 20.10.040.R; VSC § 20.22.050.G) .
  • Density Bonus
    • The County implements California’s Density Bonus Law in Ch. 20.65; it applies in HDR/MDR/LDR/RDR districts and works alongside the County’s Inclusionary Housing Ordinance (MCC Ch. 18.40) (§ 20.65.010; § 20.65.020; § 20.65.110) .

For an overview of state requirements that may affect local processing, see California housing laws and the County’s ADU rules alongside California ADU law.

Information Gaps

  • Inland zoning framework (commonly referred to as the Inland Zoning Ordinance) is not present in the retrieved materials. Verify the inland Title number, district lists, and procedures with Monterey County (Not found in retrieved materials).
  • Local implementation of SB 9 two‑unit/urban lot split rules and any Countywide rent stabilization rules are not present in the retrieved materials. Confirm applicability and procedures with the County (Not found in retrieved materials).

Source References

  • Coastal Zoning scope, LCP framework, and consistency: § 20.02.010; § 20.02.020; § 20.02.040; § 20.02.060 .
  • District exemplars and standards: HDR § 20.10.040; LDR § 20.14.070; RDR § 20.16.070; WSC § 20.17.020; VSC § 20.22.070; CGC § 20.18.070; AI § 20.24.070; LI § 20.26.070; HI § 20.28.070; RC § 20.36.060; OR § 20.38.010; MLC § 20.20.070 .
  • Overlays/combining: Design Control Ch. 20.44; Historic Resources Ch. 20.54; Improvement “Z” Ch. 20.56; “B” combining references in multiple standards (§ 20.44.010; § 20.54.080; § 20.56.030; § 20.26.070.A.4) .
  • Permits and procedures: CDP Ch. 20.70; Coastal Administrative Permits Ch. 20.76; Variances Ch. 20.78; Combined Development Permits Ch. 20.82 (§§ 20.70.010–.050; § 20.76.120; § 20.78.030–.050; § 20.82.010–.050) .
  • Countywide regs: Parking Ch. 20.58 (§§ 20.58.010–.030) .
  • ADUs/JADUs & Density Bonus: ADUs/JADUs § 20.64.030; definitions §§ 20.06.375, 20.06.376; Density Bonus Ch. 20.65 (§ 20.65.010; § 20.65.110) .

Where to read the Monterey County code

The Monterey County municipal and zoning code is published on Municode — view the official Monterey County code library. That lets you read the ordinance section by section.

GoCodebook goes beyond browsing Municode (see how they compare): it reads the Monterey County ordinance together with the California Building Standards Code and answers your question — zoning, setbacks, FAR, height, ADUs, permits — with the controlling citation for your parcel.

Who this affects

Monterey County homeownersReal estate developersArchitects & designersReal estate agentsInvestorsGeneral contractorsADU buildersPermit consultants

Frequently asked questions

What zoning districts does Monterey County have in the unincorporated Coastal Zone?

Title 20 organizes coastal districts into residential (HDR, LDR, RDR, WSC), commercial (VSC, CGC, and special areas like MLC), industrial (AI, LI, HI), and resource/open space (RC, OR) families, each with its own use table and site standards (see, for example, §§ 20.10.040, 20.14.070, 20.22.070, 20.24.070, 20.26.070, 20.28.070, 20.36.060, 20.38.010, 20.20.070) .

Do I need a Coastal Development Permit (CDP) for my project?

In the unincorporated Coastal Zone, “development” generally requires a CDP unless an exemption applies. All CDPs require a public hearing and findings by the Appropriate Authority (§ 20.70.025; § 20.70.050.A–B) . Some projects identified as “Coastal Administrative Permit Required” are processed under Ch. 20.76 instead of Ch. 20.70 (§ 20.70.025) .

What are typical residential setbacks and height limits?

In RDR (CZ), primary structures typically observe 30 ft front and 20 ft side/rear setbacks with a 30 ft height cap, plus minimum structure separations (20/10/6 ft); lot coverage is 25% (§ 20.16.070.C–E) . In LDR (CZ), a similar pattern applies with 15% coverage and Del Monte Forest FAR caps of 20% (LDR/1) and 17.5% (LDR/1.5, LDR/2) (§ 20.14.070.E–F) .

How does design review work in coastal Design Control areas?

If your site is in a Design Control “D” district, a Design Approval must be obtained—submitting elevations, colors, and site plans—before a building permit can be issued (§ 20.44.030; § 20.44.080) . The Appropriate Authority may require conditions to ensure protection of the public viewshed and neighborhood character (§ 20.44.060) .

Where do I find parking and sign rules?

Parking is governed countywide in coastal districts by Ch. 20.58, which requires off‑street parking consistent with use and occupancy; all districts refer back to it (§§ 20.58.010–.030) . Districts likewise point to the signs chapter for signage standards (e.g., VSC § 20.22.070.F; RC § 20.36.060.H) .

Can I build an ADU in the Coastal Zone? What are the key limits?

Yes—many districts list ADUs/JADUs as allowed subject to County ADU standards in § 20.64.030 (e.g., HDR § 20.10.040.R; VSC § 20.22.050.G) . Highlights include 4 ft side/rear setbacks for new detached ADUs, typical height allowances of 16–18 ft (up to 20 ft with certain transit/roof-pitch conditions), size caps up to 1,200 sf (or 1,000 sf in Big Sur/B‑8 areas), and potential permit exemptions for interior conversions in narrowly defined cases (§ 20.64.030; § 20.64.030.G) .

How does Monterey County implement state Density Bonus law?

Ch. 20.65 implements Government Code §§ 65915–65918—applying in HDR/MDR/LDR/RDR—and requires coordination with the County’s Inclusionary Housing Ordinance; granting a Density Bonus does not replace inclusionary requirements (§ 20.65.010; § 20.65.020; § 20.65.110) .

What if I need relief from a setback or height standard?

Variances can modify standards like setbacks, coverage, height, and building site area when strict application would deprive similar privileges; they require public hearing findings and cannot authorize uses otherwise prohibited (Ch. 20.78; §§ 20.78.030–.050) .

Are there extra reviews for historic properties?

Yes. The Historic Resources “HR” overlay involves the Historic Resources Review Board and requires a CDP for alterations in an HR district, with approval findings focused on resource protection (§ 20.54.060; § 20.54.080) .

Does Monterey County have rent control in unincorporated areas?

Not found in the retrieved materials. Confirm with the County whether any local rent stabilization applies; in all cases, state tenant protections may also apply (Not found in retrieved materials).

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