Sutter County · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Sutter County
Sutter County's code applies only in unincorporated areas. It sets its own limits on accessory buildings and on home offices and home occupations.
Key points
- Rear-yard coverage: In unincorporated Sutter County, accessory buildings in a required rear yard may cover at most 50% of it, up to 1,000 square feet.
- Home businesses: Sutter County allows no employees for a home office, no outside employees for a minor home occupation, and one for a major one.
Each rule below is marked Sutter County code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Sutter County's code applies in the unincorporated areas of the county. Cities in Sutter County have their own codes and their own pages.
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
Sutter County code In unincorporated Sutter County, accessory buildings in a required rear yard may cover at most 50% of it, up to 1,000 square feet.
All 3 Sutter County rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
Running a business from home
| Customer visits |
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|---|---|
| Employees |
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Solar panels and EV chargers
| EV charger permit |
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|---|
Building in a flood zone
Sutter County code A development permit is needed before any construction, substantial improvement or development, including manufactured homes, in a flood hazard area. The lowest floor must be at least 1 foot above the base flood elevation.
All 4 Sutter County rules on building in a flood zone, with the code text →
Grading and erosion control
Sutter County code A grading permit is needed for 350 cubic yards or more. A grading permit is needed for 50 cubic yards or more.
All 3 Sutter County rules on grading and erosion control, with the code text →
Park and impact fees for new homes
Sutter County code No development impact fee for rebuilding homes, businesses or industrial projects damaged or destroyed in a Governor-declared natural disaster. Fee amounts are set in the county fee tables and increased each year by the CPI.
All 26 Sutter County rules on park and impact fees for new homes, with the code text →
Noise and construction hours
Sutter County code 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
All 6 Sutter 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 |
Affordable units in new housing (inclusionary)
Sutter County code Affordability lasts 5 years. Exempt if shown to the Planning Commission's satisfaction that compliance makes the project impossible to finance, build and market.
All 5 Sutter County rules on affordable units in new housing (inclusionary), with the code text →
Trash and recycling carts
| When carts must come back |
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|---|---|
| When carts may go to the curb |
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Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I run a business from my home in Sutter County?
Sutter County allows no employees for a home office, no outside employees for a minor home occupation, and one for a major one.
Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in Sutter County?
Sutter County's code: Electronic submittal is available. (Applies to all EV charging station permit applications.) (§ 1325-040); The County issues a building permit when the application meets the checklist and chapter, is complete, and fees are paid. (Applies to EV charging station applications eligible for expedited permits.) (§ 1325-050).
Can I run a family child care home in Sutter County?
California law sets this for every city, including Sutter 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)).
When can trash carts go out to the curb in Sutter County?
Sutter County's code: Remove containers within 12 hours after collection service is rendered. (§ 710-058); Within 12 hours before the time of collection (§ 710-058).
General information, not legal advice.
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