MONTEREY COUNTY — October 29, 2026. The Monterey County Board of Supervisors is expected to consider proposed changes to how multifamily and mixed-use residential developments are evaluated in unincorporated communities. The public hearing is set for November 3, 2026, at 10:30 a.m., according to county legislative file ORD 26-020.
What is being proposed?
County staff proposes adding a new Chapter 18.20 to the Monterey County Code, establishing a framework for objective design criteria for multiple-unit and mixed-use residential projects. The board is also expected to consider a related resolution containing the actual standards. The item is part of the county’s work on its Sixth Cycle Housing Element.
What does “objective” mean?
In this context, objective design criteria are written requirements that applicants and county staff can evaluate against identifiable standards, rather than subjective preferences about appearance or style. State housing laws limit the ability of local authorities to reject certain qualifying housing proposals based only on subjective rules. The county’s report discusses Government Code Section 65589.5 in explaining the need for the update.
Is the county approving a new apartment complex?
No specific apartment project is approved by this agenda item alone. A countywide design ordinance governs how qualifying proposals will be evaluated; individual development proposals still have their own property and permit records. Homeowners and neighbors should avoid conflating proposed standards with an automatic approval for housing on a particular parcel.
Who should pay attention?
Residents of rural and unincorporated communities, architects, builders and property owners considering multifamily or mixed-use development should review the proposed ordinance and its relationship to existing land-use plans. Incorporated cities generally administer their own zoning codes, so this item should not be described as a citywide ordinance for Monterey, Salinas or Seaside.
How to participate
The agenda packet includes the staff report and draft ordinance. The November 3 hearing is the correct time to follow the county’s formal consideration. As of this article’s publication, the proposal should be described as pending consideration, not as a rule already in force.
Primary source: Monterey County Board of Supervisors, ORD 26-020, Housing Element Implementation Ordinance, October 27 agenda and November 3 hearing.
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