Sacramento County, CA Accessory Structures: Tiny Homes (2026)

Sacramento County does not have a dedicated tiny-home ordinance for unincorporated areas; the rules depend on how the structure is used. A tiny house built as an independent dwelling with a kitchen must meet the accessory dwelling unit standards of Section 5.4.5.B: a minimum 150 square feet of habitable area, a detached cap of 1,200 square feet, a permanent foundation requirement ('All ADUs shall be constructed on a permanent foundation'), a 16-foot detached height limit, and 4-foot side and rear setbacks. A required full kitchen (cooktop/stove and oven or range) distinguishes an ADU from a non-dwelling accessory structure. A detached structure without cooking facilities can instead qualify as a guest house under Section 5.4.5.A, which is capped at 500 square feet of conditioned space, limited to one primary room and one bathroom, and expressly may not include cooking appliances such as an oven or cooktop. Movable tiny houses on wheels are treated as recreational vehicles, not permanent dwellings, and cannot be used as permanent housing in the same way as a foundation-built ADU. Anyone planning a tiny home should confirm the intended use and foundation type with the Building Permits and Inspection Division, since a structure marketed as a 'tiny home' is permitted under whichever category (ADU or guest house) matches its design and use.