Bolthole Index

Los Angeles County, California

Zoning, building permits and septic in Monterey Park, California

Monterey Park, California, in Los Angeles County, has its own zoning ordinance, Title 21 of the city municipal code1. Building permits inside city limits go through the city's One Stop Building Permit Center2, which enforces the California codes the city adopted3. We could not confirm who issues septic permits inside the city; ask Los Angeles County Environmental Health4.

At a glance

Zoning
Yes, city Title 21 zoning ordinance1
Building permits
City One Stop Building Permit Center, not the county2
Building code
California codes adopted by the city, 2025 edition listed3
Residential zones
R-1, R-2 and R-35
R-1 minimum lot
6,000 sq ft6
R-1 height
2 stories, 30 ft7
Septic permits
Not confirmed inside the city; ask County Environmental Health4

Who to call

Building permits

City of Monterey Park, Building & Safety Division (One Stop Building Permit Center)

Building permits, plan check and inspections inside Monterey Park city limits

626-307-1458

320 West Newmark Ave. Monterey Park, CA 91754

Zoning

City of Monterey Park, Planning Division (Community Development)

Zoning and development standards, accessory dwelling unit applications inside Monterey Park

626-307-1458

320 West Newmark Ave. Monterey Park, CA 91754

Septic permits

LA County Department of Public Health, Environmental Health – Onsite Wastewater Treatment Program

Septic system plan review for unincorporated Los Angeles County; the first call to confirm who handles septic at a Monterey Park address

(626) 430-5380

5050 Commerce Drive, Baldwin Park, CA 91706

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 24, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Monterey Park means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

These are affiliate links — we may earn a commission, at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, Bolthole Index earns from qualifying purchases.

Does Monterey Park have zoning, and what does it mean for lot size and height?

Monterey Park has its own zoning: Title 21 of the Monterey Park Municipal Code governs land inside city limits1. Residential land falls into the R-1, R-2 and R-3 districts, and the city also uses overlay zones that we did not review5.

In the R-1 single-family zone, the minimum lot area is 6,000 sq ft6. R-1 buildings are limited to 2 stories and 30 ft, with 15 ft within side yard setback areas7. Setbacks, lot coverage and minimum home size were not confirmed; ask the Planning Division8.

Los Angeles County's Title 22 zoning applies to unincorporated land, not to Monterey Park parcels9.

Do you need a building permit in Monterey Park, and who issues it?

Inside Monterey Park, the city's Building & Safety Division issues building permits through its One Stop Building Permit Center2. The city adopts the California Building Code and other state codes by reference, with 2025 editions listed3. Which small projects, if any, are exempt was not confirmed, so ask before assuming a shed, fence or remodel needs none.

Owner-builders in California who sign a building permit application still go through the permit process10.

The Los Angeles County Public Works permit office handles building permits for unincorporated land11; a Monterey Park address belongs at the city counter.

How do septic permits work inside Monterey Park?

We could not confirm who issues septic permits inside Monterey Park. The city's published water rules assume service from a city water main, and a home within 25 feet of an existing main may connect on payment of connection and reimbursement charges12. The city's sewer connection requirement was not confirmed.

Los Angeles County Environmental Health reviews septic plans in unincorporated areas and is the office to ask whether a county or state septic rule reaches a given Monterey Park lot4. California requires a permit for new and replacement septic systems statewide13.

Can you live in an RV, mobile home or ADU in Monterey Park?

The city allows one mobile home on a permanent foundation as a single-family dwelling in the R-1, R-2 and R-3 zones, with an insignia of approval from the California Department of Housing and Community Development or HUD and a roof pitch of at least a 2-inch rise per 12 inches of run14.

Accessory dwelling units and junior ADUs are allowed with conditions. The owner must record a covenant with the county recorder before the final certificate of occupancy, and any ADU rental must be for 30 days or longer15. The building official will not issue the ADU's final certificate of occupancy before the main home's16.

We could not confirm city rules on living in an RV or tiny home on a lot. Ask the Planning Division8.

Building a home in Monterey Park: the steps, in order

  1. Confirm the zoning district and development standards with the Planning Division8.
  2. Confirm water service from a city main12.
  3. Review the city's step-by-step guide and submit plans at the One Stop Building Permit Center2.
  4. Build to the adopted California codes and request inspections3.
  5. For an ADU, record the covenant before final sign-off16.
  6. Confirm the sewer or septic arrangement with the city and County Environmental Health4.

What stays with Los Angeles County, and what to check before you buy?

Land outside city limits follows Los Angeles County rules, which differ from the city's; see the Los Angeles County page for unincorporated land. Floodplain, driveway and well rules inside the city were not confirmed. California requires Caltrans approval for driveway connections involving state highway right-of-way17.

Costs are county-level: Los Angeles County's effective property tax rate is 0.7%18 and the typical home value is about $888,42619.

Watch-outs

  • Search results for Monterey Park permits often show Los Angeles County pages; those cover unincorporated land, and a Monterey Park address uses the city's own office2.
  • We could not confirm city rules on RV living, tiny homes, setbacks, minimum home size, permit fees or short-term rentals; call the Planning Division8.
  • Chapter 16.05 of the city code may adopt a different Building Code edition than Chapter 16.01 lists, so confirm which edition applies at the permit counter3.

Sources

  1. Chapter 21.08 Residential Zones, Monterey Park Municipal Code (eCode360) (Monterey Park), quoted and re-checked
  2. City of Monterey Park, Building & Safety Division (One Stop Building Permit Center) (montereypark.ca.gov)
  3. Chapter 16.01 Adoption of Technical Building Codes and Administrative Provisions, Monterey Park Municipal Code (eCode360) (Monterey Park), quoted and re-checked
  4. LA County Department of Public Health, Environmental Health – Onsite Wastewater Treatment Program (admin.publichealth.lacounty.gov)
  5. Chapter 21.08 Residential Zones, Monterey Park Municipal Code (eCode360) (Monterey Park), quoted and re-checked
  6. Chapter 21.08 Residential Zones, Monterey Park Municipal Code (eCode360) (Monterey Park), quoted and re-checked
  7. Chapter 21.08 Residential Zones, Monterey Park Municipal Code (eCode360) (Monterey Park), quoted and re-checked
  8. City of Monterey Park, Planning Division (Community Development) (montereypark.ca.gov)
  9. Los Angeles County Code Title 22: Planning and Zoning, quoted and re-checked
  10. Owner-Builder Responsibilities (California statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  11. Building and Safety - LA County Public Works Permits, quoted and re-checked
  12. Chapter 14.12 Water Rates and Charges, Monterey Park Municipal Code (eCode360) (Monterey Park), quoted and re-checked
  13. 2023 OWTS Policy (California statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  14. Chapter 21.08 Residential Zones, Monterey Park Municipal Code (eCode360) (Monterey Park), quoted and re-checked
  15. Chapter 21.50 Accessory Dwelling Units, Monterey Park Municipal Code (eCode360) (Monterey Park), quoted and re-checked
  16. Chapter 21.50 Accessory Dwelling Units, Monterey Park Municipal Code (eCode360) (Monterey Park), quoted and re-checked
  17. Encroachment Permits | Caltrans (California statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  18. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  19. Typical home value (Zillow): Bolthole Index county data

Written October 24, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

Answers from the rulebook for Monterey Park

Monterey Park’s own rules

  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    Construction inside Monterey Park city limits: the city adopts the California codes by reference through its Title 16.

    • § 16.01.010 adopts the California Building Code, Residential Code, and other state codes by reference, with 2025 editions listed in that section.
    • § 16.01.030: if a code conflicts with this title, this title governs.
    • Chapter 16.05 (Building Code) was seen only in search-result snippets, which described a 2022 California Building Code edition. That chapter was not opened, so the edition it adopts is unverified here.
    • Chapter 16.01 § 16.01.040 adds an Administrative Provisions chapter 1 (attached); its text was not opened.
    “(1) the california building code, 2025 edition, volumes i and ii as published in the california code of regulations title 24, part 2;”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Accessory dwelling units (ADU) and junior ADUs (JADU) inside Monterey Park city limits

    • The building official will not issue a final certificate of occupancy for an ADU or JADU until the primary dwelling's final certificate of occupancy is issued.
    • Before any final certificate of occupancy for an ADU or JADU, the owner must record a covenant with the county recorder, as described in § 21.50.020(a).
    • An ADU may be rented only for a term of 30 days or longer, per the covenant.
    “the building official will not issue a final certificate of occupancy for an adu or jadu before the building official issues a final certificate of occupancy is issued for the primary dwelling(s).”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Monterey Park city limits: the city's own zoning ordinance, Title 21 Zoning of the Monterey Park Municipal Code.

    • Zoning districts are defined in Chapter 21.08 (Residential Zones) and other Title 21 chapters, including overlay zones.
    • Chapter 21.08 was last amended by Ord. 2247 (9/4/2024) per the code history line; Chapter 21.50 by Ord. 2261 (4/16/2025).
    “the purpose of this chapter is to promote the overall improvement of all residential areas as well as provide regulations for the safe, efficient and creative design of the residential areas within the city.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Zoning districts inside Monterey Park city limits

    • Residential districts R-1, R-2 and R-3 are defined in § 21.08.020; overlay zones (planned development, residential incentive zone, mixed-use) are in other Title 21 chapters, not verified here.
    • The zoning map is not opened.
    “(a) r-1—single-family residential zone. this zone allows for low density residential units, traditionally single-family homes with one dwelling permitted per legal lot.”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    R-1 single-family residential zone inside Monterey Park city limits

    • Minimum width is 50 feet for R-1 (table 21.08(e)); the table also sets a 25 ft minimum width of the front property line.
    • R-2 minimum lot area is also 6,000 sq ft (width 50 ft); R-3 is 7,200 sq ft (width 60 ft, depth 100 ft). These are separate claims not made here.

    minimum lot area: >= 6000 sq ft

    “table 21.08(e) development standards in residential zones r-1 r-2 r-3 area minimum lot area (sq. ft.) 6,000 6,000 7,200”
  • Building heightSpecified

    R-1 single-family residential zone inside Monterey Park city limits

    • Maximum two stories.
    • Maximum 15 ft height within side yard setback areas.
    • The table lists R-2 and R-3 with the same 30 ft and 2-story limits; not separately claimed here.

    maximum building height: <= 30 feet (15 ft within side yard setback areas) · maximum building stories: <= 2 stories

    “maximum number building stories 2 2 2 maximum building height (ft.) 30 30 30 (within side yard setback areas) 15 15 15”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    One mobile home (manufactured home) as a single-family dwelling in residential zones R-1, R-2 and R-3 inside Monterey Park city limits

    • Only one mobile home on a permanent foundation.
    • The unit must have an insignia of approval from the California Department of Housing and Community Development or HUD under Health and Safety Code § 18550(b).
    • The roof must have a pitch of not less than two-inch vertical rise for each 12 inches of horizontal run and roofing customary for conventional single-family residences, consistent with the primary unit and compatible with the area as approved by the city planner.
    • Subsection (f)(4) is cut off in the harness output and was not read in full.
    “(f) mobile home. in all residential zones developed as single-family dwelling unit, subject to the following limitations: (1) one mobile home on a permanent foundation.”
  • Accessory dwellingsLimited

    Accessory dwelling units (ADU) and junior ADUs (JADU) inside Monterey Park city limits

    • Before any final certificate of occupancy, the owner must record a covenant with the county recorder that the ADU may not be used in violation of the code and any rental must be for 30 days or longer.
    • A JADU may not be sold separately and must meet size and attribute restrictions in the code.
    • Development impact fees apply to ADUs in proportion to the primary dwelling's square footage, unless state law provides otherwise (§ 21.50.040, per search snippet, not opened).
    • Size, setback, height and parking standards in Chapter 21.50 were not verified within the opened text.
    “adu may not be used in violation of this code, and any rental of the adu must be for a term of 30 days or longer”
  • Mandatory utility hookupWater (with conditions)

    New homes inside Monterey Park city limits: water service from the city water system

    • Water service is from a water main in the street or right-of-way the property fronts or adjoins, unless the city council finds this impractical.
    • If there is no such main, an extension of an existing water main is required as a condition to obtain service.
    • If an existing main is within 25 feet, the property may connect to it on payment of connection and reimbursement charges (§ 14.12.050).
    • Sewer connection requirement was not verified; see the sewer utility-connection claim.

    distance to existing water main for direct connection: <= 25 feet (otherwise a main extension is required unless the council finds it impractical)

    “except where, in the opinion of the city council, it is impractical to do so, all property shall be served with water from a water main installed in a street or right-of-way on which such property fronts or to which it is contiguous.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Monterey Park or Los Angeles County directly.

  • Building permit — Building permits for construction inside Monterey Park city limits
  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder permit exemption inside Monterey Park city limits
  • Inspections — Inspections of new residential construction inside Monterey Park city limits
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size inside Monterey Park city limits
  • Lot coverage — Lot coverage inside Monterey Park city limits
14 more unanswered
  • Living in an RV
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Driveway access
  • Building in a floodplain
  • Short-term rentals
  • Permit fees
  • Permit process

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Monterey Park publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Los Angeles County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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