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COASTAL & MONTEREY BAY PROTECTION RULES , REGULATIONS AND PLANNING DOCUMENTS

Waterfront planning and regulation is a many level affair. There are Federal, State, County, City and Local Land Use Plans and regulations.

Note:  Federal Law preempts State Law. State Law preempts Local Law.

The following is a list of the plans and regulations impacting Monterey's coastline. While this may seem like a lot, it is not exhaustive.

  • Federal
    • Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary Act.
    • The Draft Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Management Plan can be downloaded at or requested by e-mail from jmpr.info@noaa.gov.
    • Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Prohibited Activities Section 922.132 Prohibited or Otherwise Regulated Activities (U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 15).
    • Clean Water Act
  • State
    • Coastal Act
    • Coastal Commission
    • Marine Protected Areas
    • Desalination Regulations and Permitting Agencies
    • Monterey State Beach General Plan
  • County
    • Desalination Permitting Agencies
    • Monterey County Health Department regulates inshore water quality and can call for beach closures when polluted conditions are found.
  • City