The use of land in unincorporated Monterey County is primarily determined by the regulations contained in the Monterey County Zoning ordinances and the policies in the General Plan. Factors such as the availability of water, septic feasibility, slope and impacts to environmentally sensitive habitats also play a role in determining how property can be used. The Uniform Building Code contains regulations to ensure that structures are structurally sound and safe for human habitation.

The first step in determining how your property can be used is to find out the zoning designation on the property, either by calling (831) 755-5025 to be put on our electronic message board or by looking up the zoning using Accela Citizen Access (ACA).  You can look up the zoning using the street address, Assessor's parcel number, or project file number.  Additional information may be available on the County's GIS Mapping web pages.

The zoning ordinances contain a list of uses that are either allowed or conditionally allowed for each designation and overlay district.  Title 20 regulates development for property in the coastal zone and Title 21 regulates development for non-coastal or inland areas.  Because of the wide variety of factors that are involved in determining how a property can be used, it is important to contact Planning staff before committing any resources to the development of a  project.  This can be done by phone or in person at the front counter. 

The time to obtain a permit varies widely depending on the type of permit. Some types of construction permits and design approvals can be issued over-the-counter on the same day or within a very few days, while a complex discretionary permit or subdivision application may take many months to process. A Development Review Committee reviews more complex discretionary permit applications prior to submittal of the formal application. This process helps applicants identify issues early in the process.

In addition, many types of discretionary permit applications are referred for review to other agencies outside of Planning. These agencies may require conditions on the permit or may even require additional permits that can substantially add to the time that it takes to complete your project. Contact Planning and Building Services staff for an estimate of how long your particular Planning or construction permit might take to process.

This depends on the type of permit. Review the Application Process or contact Building Services or Planning staff by phone or in person.

The status of a construction permit or discretionary permit application can be viewed online using Accela Citizen Access (ACA) online database. The status can be found by using the street address, Assessor's parcel number, or project file number.

A list of current construction applications and construction permits issued within the last 40 days can be viewed through ACA by clicking on the Building tab and viewing the Permit Reports at the top of the page. If you would like more information on a specific construction permit application, please call (831) 755-5025.

A list of active Planning and Minor applications and their current status can be viewed through ACA by clicking on the Planning tab and viewing the Planning Reports at the top of the page. If you would like more information on a specific Planning application, please call (831) 755-5025 or call or e-mail the assigned planner.

All applications will be reviewed for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).  Based on that review, projects will fall into one of 3 categories:

1. Categorically Exempt:  The proposed development activity is exempt from CEQA;
   
   
2. Negative Declaration/Mitigated Negative Declaration: The proposed development activity will have no significant impacts or has potentially significant impacts that can be mitigated to a less-than-significant level by modifying the project and/or attaching conditions of approval to the project.
   
   
3. Environmental Impact Report: The proposed project has potentially significant environmental impacts that must be fully examined by the preparation of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR). 

Detailed information on CEQA can be obtained from the California Office of Planning Research website.

There are several steps you can take if you are curious about development that is proposed or permitted for a parcel. First, check the ACA online database of active Planning and Minor applications or current construction applications and issued construction permits and their current status in your area.  If a Planning application is currently under consideration or a construction permit has been applied for or issued within the last 40 days, it will show up on this list. 

You may also contact us for information about applications that have not been formally submitted.  Please provide the Assessor's Parcel Number (APN) or specific street address of the parcel you are interested in.  You are welcome to visit our office to review the file for the project; however, you are urged to call ahead of time so we can be sure the file is available by the time you arrive.

The purpose of a building permit is to ensure that new structures are structurally sound and safe for human habitation. Building permits are ministerial in nature, meaning that so long as the proposal complies with the Building Code a permit will be issued.

Planning permits generally address the use of the property as well as the physical location and appearance of structures.  Planning permits are discretionary in nature meaning that there is no guarantee that the permit will be approved. Planning permits can be approved, approved with conditions, or denied.

Please contact a Permit Technician at (831) 755-5025.  Our address is: 1441 Schilling Place- 2nd Floor South, Salinas, CA 93901.

Monterey County has policies and codes that regulate removal of native or protected trees. A Tree Removal Permit is required to remove or significantly trim protected trees. Hazardous trees or the removal of three or less trees may be handled administratively. More information can be found on this page. 

The removal of three or more trees may require a Use Permit/Coastal Development Permit. A tree assessment from a County-approved arborist/forester is required in all cases. Before removing or significantly pruning any native trees, please call (831) 755-5025 and request to be put on our electronic message board or visit HCD at 1441 Schilling Place, South 2nd Floor in Salinas to determine if a permit is required.

Planning Commission, Zoning Administrator, and Administrative Permit agendas can be viewed on our Committees, Hearings  webpage & Agendas webpage. Agendas are normally published seven days prior to the hearing date.

Projects scheduled for hearing can be viewed through Accela Citizen Access (ACA) by clicking on the Planning tab and viewing the Planning Report "Projects Scheduled for Hearing" at the top of the page.

Contact Environmental Health (831) 755-5025 and the MPWMD (831) 658-5601 for information on drilling wells in the Cal-Am area.

The allowed uses of a structure are determined by the zoning designation of your property. In most cases a change of use of a structure would be allowed with only a construction permit which makes sure that the building meets the requirements of the California Building Code and is safe for use. In some cases the existing use of a structure is "nonconforming," which means that it was established before the zoning designation was applied to the property and would not be allowed under the property's current zoning designation; for example, a commercial use in a residential zoning district.

The continuation of the nonconforming use or its change to a similar use would be allowed per specific requirements of the Zoning Ordinance. In order to determine if a change of use of a structure is allowed you would have to first determine the zoning designation of your property. Should you have questions, please please call (831) 755-5025 and request to be put on our electronic message board or visit HCD at 1441 Schilling Place in Salinas to determine if a change of use of a structure on your property is allowed.

Additions need to comply with all applicable setback, coverage and height restrictions, for the property's zoning designation.

Please call (831) 755-5025 and request to be put on our electronic message board or visit HCD-Planning at 1441 Schilling Place in Salinas to discuss a specific proposal. Before visiting or calling make sure you have the specific Assessor's Parcel Number (APN) or address of the site, the current square footage of the structure that you wish to add an addition to, and any details regarding the proposed addition, such as: Any new water fixtures proposed? Purpose/use of new addition? Location of proposed addition and distance from nearest property line?

All new construction must comply with all applicable rules, regulations, and policies of the Monterey County General Plan, the applicable area plan/land use plan, if located within the coastal zone the applicable coastal implementation plan, and the applicable zoning ordinance.

When reviewing an application for new construction staff reviews setbacks, coverage, height, proposed use, and other specific requirements that may be required due to location, use, and/or zoning. At minimum a Construction Permit will be required, but permitting requirements can greatly vary based on a number of factors, such as use, location, height, size, site constraints, hazard zones, etc., which can trigger cause for additional entitlements. Please call (831) 755-5025 and request to be put on our electronic message board or visit HCD at 1441 Schilling Place in Salinas to discuss a specific proposal. Prior to visiting or calling make sure you have the specific Assessor's Parcel Number (APN) or address of the site, and specifics in regards to your proposed construction.

A Lot Line Adjustment application is used when a property owner wants to adjust a lot line between at least two (2), but not more than four (4) adjoining parcels. In a Lot Line Adjustment, the owner(s) agree to deduct land from one parcel and add the land to an adjacent parcel(s). No additional parcels may be created.

Please call (831) 755-5025 and request to be put on our electronic message board or visit HCD at 1441 Schilling Place in Salinas to discuss a specific proposal. Before visiting or calling make sure you have the specific Assessor's Parcel Number(APN) or address of the site.

The feasibility of subdividing a property depends upon a variety of factors. These factors include (but are not limited to) zoning, water quantity and quality, wastewater capacity (including percolation limitations and secondary repair area requirements), soils and slope, etc. Also, pending resolution of water constraints, subdivisions are not allowed for parcels located in the North County Area Plan and North County Land Use Plan areas. Parcels may be split or subdivided by processing a Tentative Map application. A minor subdivision generally involves the creation or reconfiguration of four (4) or fewer parcels. A standard subdivision generally involves the creation or reconfiguration of five (5) or more parcels.

Please contact call (831) 755-5025 and request to be put on our electronic message board or visit HCD at 1441 Schilling Place in Salinas to discuss a specific proposal. Before visiting or calling make sure you have the specific Assessor's Parcel Number (APN) or address of the site.

Discretionary permits expire unless the permitted use or construction is started by the expiration date stated in the permit resolution. A Permit Extension may be granted by the HCD Director (Coastal Zone) or the original hearing body (Non-Coastal) provided a written request and application fee are submitted to HCD-Planning a minimum of 30 days before the expiration date of the permit.

Please call (831) 755-5025 and request to be put on our electronic message board or visit HCD at 1441 Schilling Place in Salinas to discuss a specific proposal. Before visiting or calling make sure you have the specific Assessor's Parcel Number (APN) or address of the site.

A Permit Amendment is required when a change is made to a project after it has been approved. If the change is minor in nature, the amendment may be approved by the HCD Director. If the change is more significant, the amendment will be taken to the decision making body of the original permit and processed consistent with the original permit procedures. An application and fee are required for both.

Please contact the Planner of the Day at (831) 755-5025 or visit HCD-Planning at 1441 Schilling Place in Salinas to discuss a specific proposal. Before visiting or calling make sure you have the specific Assessor's Parcel Number (APN) or address of the site.

Yes, re-roof permits can normally be issued over-the-counter at the Planning & Building Services office and by email at 299-HCDForms@co.monterey.ca.us

You can also fax us at: (831)757-9516.

1. A construction permit is not required for a one-story detached structures accessory to detached one and two family dwellings used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed 240 square feet and the structure does not contain any electrical, plumbing or mechanical work and is not used to store hazardous material or vehicles.

2. One-story detached structures accessory to detached a commercial building used as tool and storage sheds and similar uses, provided the floor are does not exceed 120 square feet and the structure does not contain any electrical, plumbing or mechanical work and is not used to store hazardous material or vehicles.

However, you should consult with a Department planner to determine setback requirements and design review requirements. A structure larger than 240 feet or one of any size that contains utilities requires a building permit.

A construction permit is required for a retaining wall if the wall is 4 feet or greater in height or for a retaining wall of any height if the wall supports a surcharge.

At the moment, it is 6 to 8 weeks.  We are working to reduce the plan check time. 

To schedule a Building and/or Grading inspection, visit the Accela Citizen Access (ACA) portal here and schedule online or call (831) 755-5025. To see what you can do online with ACA, click here.

 To schedule the inspection, the clerk will need:

• Permit Number
• Job Address
• Type of Inspection
• Date of Request
• Contact Phone Number
• Owners Last Name from Permit

You are required to have your JOB CARD and APPROVED PLANS  in a dry, accessible place at the job-site.  If either your plans and /or job card are not at the site when the inspector arrives, your inspection will need to be rescheduled.  The inspector will sign the inspection record (job card) for each construction item that is inspected and approved. If an item does not pass inspection, the inspector will leave you a correction notice. These corrections must be completed prior to calling for a re-inspection.  A plan revision may be required to be submitted and approved prior to the next inspection if any deviation occurs from the approved plans.

Future inspections may be denied if there are any outstanding issues such as fees owed, changes to plans which have not been approved, failure to provide required/requested information, special inspections, structural observations, etc.

You may be charged a re-inspection fee if the work to be inspected is not complete, the plans or job card is not available at the job site, corrections requested by the inspector have not been completed, there is no access to the inspection area.

 NOTE: No further inspections will be made until the re-inspection fee has been paid and all issues resolved.

A special inspection is performed by a third party inspector hired by the owner to perform a specific technical inspection. The county inspector is NOT a special inspector. Special inspections are required to inspect as per the CBC section 17.

 This requirement is usually determined in plan check, although, a change in the structure during construction can trigger this requirement later.  A list of pre-approved special inspection firms is available in the permit center. Click here for special inspection form.

Structural observation (CBC section 17) is when the design professional, the plan checker or the inspector determines that the project has specific components that need to be observed in the field, during construction, by the design professional (architect or engineer).

 Again, this is the responsibility of the owner. It is not unusual for this to be requested by a county inspector during the construction process if they find an unusual connection, conflicts with the plans as drawn, requested on the plans by the plan checker or design professional, etc.

1. Go to the Government Center (1441 Schilling Place, 2nd Floor, Salinas, CA)
   If you received a Compliance Order or Stop Work Notice, go to the Government Center and initially meet with the Planning Department.  If you have any questions, contact the Code Enforcement Inspector assigned to your case.
2. Apply for a permit.
   Simple permits can be issued "over-the-counter".  More complex applications are reviewed by County plan check technicians and/or engineers and other County agencies.  Click here for more on the plan check process.
3. Schedule Inspections
   You are not done when the permit is issued. You must still schedule and pass all the inspections that are required for your permit. Once these are complete, you will receive a final inspection, at which time you will have finished the permit process.  Click here for more on the inspection process.

Note about as-built construction:
If you received a Compliance Order for work that was already complete, you still must apply for a permit for that work.  You may be required to expose the inside of walls to verify structural requirements, or take other actions to verify that the construction complies with Building Code Requirements.