The Rancho Tierra Grande (RTG) was formed into three subdivisions during the 1960’s by developers Paul and Barbara Porter. Each Subdivision has the same Owner Restrictions except for septic tank approval (Subdivisions 2 and 3 only). All Restrictions are still in force except for the Architectural Approval Committee (ACC) pre-approval requirement for Monterey County Construction and Septic Tank installation Permits. Both of these original ACC Requirements expired in the 1980s. 

Short Term Rental Restriction

Short Term Rentals (STR) are not allowed in Rancho Tierra Grande. Item #1 in the Property Restrictions of RTG (below) state that “no business of any kind” shall be permitted in any of the three RTG Subdivisions. The Monterey County Planning Department is responsible for issuing permits for Short Term Rentals in unincorporated areas such as  RTG.  Since permit fees and occupancy taxes for each rental are collected, the County legal counsel has determined that this specific Restriction prohibits STR at RTG. Any STR operation without a permit is illegal and will be fined.

Architectural Control Committee (ACC)

As many of the homes in RTG were built at least 40 years ago, there is a natural cycle of owner turnover and remodeling. The value of homesites in RTG is very high due to large lot sizes and scenic locations in the very highly desired Carmel area. Thus, many homes are being extensively remodeled. Monterey County has very limited restrictions for home size, fit to surrounding homes and neighbor scenic view blockage.

Combining the three RTG Subdivisions into one is virtually impossible as a 100% vote of all 208 owners would be required. However, each Subdivision could have a common ACC from the majority (51%) vote of all owners in each Subdivision. This single RTG ACC could be part of the owner elected RTG HOA if approved by each Subdivision. It could have the same control rights as defined in the original RTG Restrictions.

The HOA is considering proposing ACC Restrictions reinstatement and will be soliciting Owner opinions, pro or con.

RTG Restrictions Overview

The RTG HOA has assembled all the relevant Monterey County documents concerning how RTG was legally formed in the 1960’s. These have been reviewed by a specialist lawyer with the following summary overview. For the actual legal Restrictions, please refer the Original Restriction Declarations Section of RTG Property Restrictions.

  • RTG is currently structured as three separate Subdivisions. This basic structure cannot be changed without a 100% positive vote of all 208 current parcel owners. This would be virtually impossible. 
  • Each Subdivision can currently change their Restrictions by a 51% positive vote of all owners of that Subdivision. 
  • All current Restrictions are the same for all three Subdivisions  
  • Restrictions currently legally in force (forever) are: 
    1. No commercial (business) activity
    2. Conform to Monterey County set-back and site area regulations
    3. Sewage must be disposed in a County approved and inspected septic tank
    4. No open trash or garbage
    5. No noxious or offensive behavior to the neighborhood
    6. No outbuilding or temporary housing for habitation except guest or servant quarters
    7. No mobile home or RV parking. Boats and trailers must be covered
    8. No oil drilling or mining
    9. A minimum of two parking spaces for each parcel
    10. No animals except dogs & cats. Horses are permitted only for 1 acre or larger lots with  20’ setback for paddocks and corrals
    11. No accessory building to be built prior to main home completion
    12. No visible clothes drying
    13. No tank visible from the road or adjacent property
    14. The owner right to legal action for violation by another owner of the Restrictions in the same Subdivision
  • The Restrictions document of each Subdivision can be changed by a 51% vote of all owners in that Subdivision.
  • Restrictions not currently in force (expired in 1980’s) are:
    1. No new construction or existing structure modification with approval of the Subdivision Architectural Control Committee (ACC). This was required for County building permit  applications.
    2. Septic system approval by the ACC (Subdivisions 2 & 3 only).

If 51% of owners in each subdivision vote positive, the RTG HOA can reinstate the original ACC. It could be a single three-member committee for all three Subdivisions, composed of RTG owners. Each ACC member could have a 2-year term with the Chair elected by owners according to RTG HOA BOD bylaws. The other two members could be approved by the BOD. Appeals rights to the BOD could be added, as well.

Original Restriction Declarations