Sacramento County · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Sacramento County
Sacramento County's code applies only in unincorporated areas of the county. It requires a General Business License for home businesses.
Key points
- Business license: In unincorporated areas, a home business needs a General Business License from the county.
- Family contractors: A Family Contractor's Business also needs a General Business License (county rule).
Each rule below is marked Sacramento County code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Sacramento County's code applies in the unincorporated areas of the county. Cities in Sacramento County have their own codes and their own pages.
Running a business from home
| Permit |
|
|---|
Solar panels and EV chargers
| EV charger permit |
|
|---|
Tree removal
Sacramento County code A tree permit covers only the approved trees; valid 6 months, with 1 extension of up to 6 months. Yes, a permit is required.
All 3 Sacramento County rules on tree removal, with the code text →
Grading and erosion control
| When a grading permit is needed |
|
|---|---|
| Grading without a permit |
|
Noise and construction hours
Sacramento County code 55 dBA from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. 50 dBA from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.
All 5 Sacramento County rules on noise and construction hours, with the code text →
Family child care homes
| Zoning | A small or large family child care home is a residential use and a use by right under all local ordinances, including zoning |
|---|---|
| Business license or fee | A city or county may not charge a business license, fee or tax to run a family child care home |
| Local rules | Local limits on height, setbacks, lot size, health and safety must be the same as for every other home in the same zone |
| Small home | Up to eight children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there |
| Large home | 7 to 14 children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there |
Other Sacramento County rules on this
Sacramento County's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Fire facilities impact fee (§ 16.152.070) — within the metropolitan fire district area
- Park development impact fee (§ 16.155.130) — within the listed park districts
- Library facilities impact fee (§ 16.160.025) — inside the urban services boundary
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I run a business from my home in Sacramento County?
In unincorporated areas, a home business needs a General Business License from the county. A Family Contractor's Business also needs a General Business License (county rule).
Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in Sacramento County?
Sacramento County's code: Building Official approves and issues permits when the application meets the County checklist and laws; electronic submittal and signatures accepted. (Applies to EV charging stations. The charger may not be used until the County approves the final inspection.) (§ 16.30.070).
What are the grading rules in Sacramento County?
Sacramento County's code: A grading permit is needed for 350 cubic yards or more. (Grading, filling, digging, storing or dumping soil in the unincorporated county; clearing 1 acre or more also needs a permit.) (§ 16.44.050); No permit for pools, basements or footings under a valid building permit, underground utilities, or planted crops. (Exempt work must still meet the chapter's standards.) (§ 16.44.060).
Can I run a family child care home in Sacramento County?
California law sets this for every city, including Sacramento County: Zoning: A small or large family child care home is a residential use and a use by right under all local ordinances, including zoning (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(a)); Business license or fee: A city or county may not charge a business license, fee or tax to run a family child care home (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(b)); Local rules: Local limits on height, setbacks, lot size, health and safety must be the same as for every other home in the same zone (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(e)); Small home: Up to eight children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there (Health & Safety Code § 1596.78(c)); Large home: 7 to 14 children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there (Health & Safety Code § 1596.78(b)).
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about a specific Sacramento County property
Ask GoCodebook how these rules apply to your address and get an answer that cites the section.
Ask your question