Monterey County · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Monterey County

Monterey County's code applies only in unincorporated areas of the county. It sets accessory-structure limits for LDR districts, a coastal permit rule for fences and home-business rules.

Ask about building on your lot in Monterey County See coverage

Key points

Accessory height: County rule: accessory structures in LDR districts are limited to 15 ft unless the zoning map shows a different limit.
Coastal fences: County rule: at existing homes in listed coastal and scenic areas, fences over 6 ft need a Coastal Development Permit.
Home businesses: County rule: home businesses may involve only the resident and immediate family living on site; cottage food may add 1 employee.

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

Monterey County's code applies in the unincorporated areas of the county. Cities in Monterey County have their own codes and their own pages.

Fences and walls

Monterey County code What Monterey County's code adds
Permit	A Coastal Development Permit is required for fences over 6 feet. Applies: Existing single-family homes: between sea and first parallel public road, within 300 feet of a beach or mean high tide, or in significant scenic areas. § 20.70.120 · code text fences over six feet in height

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Monterey County code What Monterey County's code adds
Maximum height	No more than 15 feet. Applies: Habitable and non-habitable accessory structures in LDR districts, unless the zoning map shows a different limit. § 20.14.060 · code text b. Height. Maximum Height: Fifteen (15) feet
Side and rear setback	At least 6 feet from the alley right-of-way. Applies: Detached accessory structures with access from an alley. § 20.62.040 · code text Detached accessory structures which have access from any alley shall not be located within six feet of the alley right-of-way. At least 6 feet from the side and rear lines. Applies: Habitable accessory structures in LDR districts. § 20.14.060 · code text Side: Six feet Rear: Six feet 6 feet on the front half of the property; 1 foot on the rear half. Applies: Side setback for non-habitable accessory structures in LDR districts. § 20.14.060 · code text Side: Six feet on front one-half of property; one foot on rear one-half of property. At least 1 foot. Applies: Rear setback for non-habitable accessory structures in LDR districts. § 20.14.060 · code text Rear: One foot

Running a business from home

Monterey County code What Monterey County's code adds
Employees	Only the resident and immediate family living on site may work in the business. § 21.64.090 · code text No persons other than the resident and immediate family residing on site may be employed in the home occupation, except that a cottage food operation may allow up to one (1) full-time equivalent cottage food employee who does not reside on the site. Up to 1 full-time equivalent employee who does not live on site. Applies: Cottage food operations. § 21.64.090 · code text No persons other than the resident and immediate family residing on site may be employed in the home occupation, except that a cottage food operation may allow up to one (1) full-time equivalent cottage food employee who does not reside on the site.
Permit	An Administrative Permit, only to change the home occupation standards. Applies: Needed to modify the standards; cottage food operations cannot get exceptions. § 21.64.090 · code text Modification to the provisions of Subsection 21.64.090.C. of this Chapter may be considered by an Administrative Permit, except in the case of a cottage food operation for which no exceptions to these requirements may be granted. A Coastal Administrative Permit, only to change the home occupation standards. Applies: Needed to modify the standards; cottage food operations cannot get exceptions. § 20.64.090 · code text Modification to the application of the provisions of Section 20.64.090.C. of this chapter may be considered by a Coastal Administrative Permit, except in the case of a cottage food operation for which no exceptions to these requirements may be granted.

Solar panels and EV chargers

Monterey County code What Monterey County's code adds
EV charger permit	Apply electronically; a complete application meeting the county checklist, with fees paid, gets administrative nondiscretionary review. Applies: Electric vehicle charging stations. § 18.18.050 · code text An application and related documentation to install an electric vehicle charging station may be submitted electronically in the manner specified by the County.
Solar permit process	Apply electronically; a complete application meeting the checklist and standard plans, with fees paid, gets administrative nondiscretionary review. Applies: Small residential rooftop solar systems. § 18.17.050 · code text An application and related documentation to install a small residential rooftop solar energy system may be submitted electronically in the manner specified by the County. One inspection by the Building Official, with a separate fire inspection before it. Applies: Small residential rooftop solar systems eligible for expedited review. § 18.17.060 · code text Only one inspection shall be required and performed by the Building Official for small residential rooftop solar energy systems eligible for expedited review under this Chapter.

Tree removal

Monterey County code Permit-free oak removal: rangeland improvement, wildlife habitat, watershed enhancement, hazardous trees, or firewood for owners and on-site residents. Emergency removal or hazard reduction allowed without other rules; report to the Director of Planning within 10 working days.

All 10 Monterey County rules on tree removal, with the code text and the state law underneath →

Pets, chickens and bees

Monterey County code What Monterey County's code adds
Permit	A rooster keeping permit from the Animal Control Officer is required. Applies: Rooster keeping operations. § 8.50.040 · code text Applications for a rooster keeping operation permit shall be submitted to the Animal Control Officer with the required fee.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Monterey County?

County rule: at existing homes in listed coastal and scenic areas, fences over 6 ft need a Coastal Development Permit.

How big can a shed or accessory building be in Monterey County?

County rule: accessory structures in LDR districts are limited to 15 ft unless the zoning map shows a different limit.

Can I run a business from my home in Monterey County?

County rule: home businesses may involve only the resident and immediate family living on site; cottage food may add 1 employee.

Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in Monterey County?

Monterey County's code: Apply electronically; a complete application meeting the county checklist, with fees paid, gets administrative nondiscretionary review. (Electric vehicle charging stations.) (§ 18.18.050); Apply electronically; a complete application meeting the checklist and standard plans, with fees paid, gets administrative nondiscretionary review. (Small residential rooftop solar systems.) (§ 18.17.050).

Can I keep chickens or bees at my home in Monterey County?

Monterey County's code: A rooster keeping permit from the Animal Control Officer is required. (Rooster keeping operations.) (§ 8.50.040).

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific Monterey County property

Ask GoCodebook how these rules apply to your address and get an answer that cites the section.

Ask your question

More on Monterey County

Monterey County Municipal Code — full text

Renting & eviction in Monterey County

Buying & selling in Monterey County

Monterey County overview