A Resident's Guide to Sacramento's Local Ordinances

As one of the larger cities in California, Sacramento has a substantial set of local ordinances that govern everything from noise levels to what you can build in your backyard. With about 525000 residents, the city maintains 183 distinct rules across 39 categories. This guide gives you the big picture.

Noise Ordinances

Industrial Noise: Industrial noise in Sacramento must meet SMC 8.68 exterior limits at adjacent property lines, typically 70 dBA day and 65 dBA night for industrial-to-industrial boundaries..

Also covered: Aircraft Noise (permissive), Amplified Music & Events (moderate), Decibel Limits (moderate). See the full noise ordinances guide for Sacramento for details.

Parking Rules

Commercial Vehicle Restrictions: Commercial vehicles over 10,000 pounds or 22 feet long cannot park on Sacramento residential streets for more than 30 minutes except for active loading or deliveries..

Also covered: Street Parking Limits (moderate), Driveway Rules (moderate), EV Charging (permissive). See the full parking rules guide for Sacramento for details.

Animal Ordinances

Dog Leash Laws: Sacramento requires dogs to be leashed in public under SMC 9.44.290 except in designated off-leash dog parks such as Granite Park and Partner Park..

Also covered: Beekeeping (moderate), Chickens & Livestock (moderate), Pet Limits (moderate). See the full animal ordinances guide for Sacramento for details.

Short-Term Rentals

Night Caps: Sacramento limits non-hosted short-term rentals to 90 rental nights per calendar year; hosted (owner-occupied) STRs have no annual cap..

Also covered: Registration Rules (strict), Occupancy Limits (strict), Taxes & Fees (moderate). See the full short-term rentals guide for Sacramento for details.

Fence Regulations

Pool Barriers: California Health and Safety Code 115920 et seq. requires 60-inch pool barriers with self-closing gates; Sacramento enforces at permit and inspection..

Also covered: Retaining Walls (moderate), Material Restrictions (moderate), Permit Requirements (moderate). See the full fence regulations guide for Sacramento for details.

Landscaping Rules

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees: Removing any city or Heritage tree in Sacramento requires a Tree Permit under SMC 12.56 with arborist report and replacement mitigation..

Also covered: Grass Height Limits (moderate), Weed Ordinances (moderate), Rainwater Harvesting (permissive). See the full landscaping rules guide for Sacramento for details.

Fire Regulations

Fireworks: All fireworks, including Safe and Sane, are illegal to possess or discharge within the City of Sacramento; penalties start at 1,000 dollars..

Also covered: Backyard Fires (moderate), Brush Clearance (moderate), Wildfire Zones (moderate). See the full fire regulations guide for Sacramento for details.

Home Business

Signage Rules: Sacramento home occupations cannot display any exterior signage advertising the business under SMC 17.228.105 performance standards..

Also covered: Zoning Restrictions (moderate), Home Daycare (permissive), Cottage Food Operations (permissive). See the full home business guide for Sacramento for details.

Outdoor Lighting

Light Trespass: Sacramento addresses light trespass through its nuisance regulations and zoning standards. Outdoor lighting that unreasonably interferes with the use and enjoyment of neighboring properties may be considered a nuisance under City Code.

Also covered: Dark Sky Rules (moderate). See the full outdoor lighting guide for Sacramento for details.

Solar Energy

Panel Permits: Sacramento requires building permits for solar panel installations under City Code Title 15 and complies with the California Solar Permitting Guidebook (AB 2188) for streamlined residential solar permitting. Residential rooftop solar systems up to 10 kW qualify for an expedited over-the-counter permit process.

Also covered: HOA Restrictions (permissive). See the full solar energy guide for Sacramento for details.

Building Safety

Lead Paint: Sacramento enforces federal and California lead-based paint rules for pre-1978 housing, including disclosure to tenants and buyers, EPA Renovation Repair and Painting certification for renovators, and Sacramento County Public Health follow-up on elevated child blood lead cases..

Also covered: Fire Sprinkler Requirements (strict), Pest Control (moderate), Elevator Maintenance (moderate). See the full building safety guide for Sacramento for details.

Accessory Structures

Tiny Homes: The City of Sacramento does not have a stand-alone movable tiny house (THOW) ordinance like neighboring West Sacramento's Ordinance 24-9. Tiny homes are only allowed as permanent dwellings when built on a permanent foundation and permitted as an Accessory Dwelling Unit under City Code Chapter 17.228, Article XIV (ADU regulations) and the 2022 California Building Code adopted in SCC Title 15..

Also covered: ADU Rules (permissive), Shed Rules (moderate), Carport Rules (moderate). See the full accessory structures guide for Sacramento for details.

Rental Property Rules

Relocation Assistance: Sacramento requires landlords to pay relocation assistance equal to roughly two months of rent when terminating a tenancy for no-fault reasons such as owner move-in, withdrawal, or substantial remodel under the Tenant Protection Act..

Also covered: Section 8 Voucher Acceptance (permissive), AB-1482 Notice Disclosure (moderate), No-Fault Evictions (strict). See the full rental property rules guide for Sacramento for details.

Homelessness & Encampment Rules

Sit-Lie Rules: Sacramento restricts sitting, lying, or sleeping on certain sidewalks and rights-of-way, particularly downtown, with time-of-day windows, ADA exceptions, and shelter-availability requirements shaped by Martin v. Boise..

Also covered: Encampment Sanitation (moderate), Bridge Housing Siting (permissive). See the full homelessness & encampment rules guide for Sacramento for details.

Public Health Rules

Restaurant Grade Cards: Sacramento County Environmental Management inspects restaurants and assigns a numeric score, posting Pass/Conditional Pass/Closed placards. Sacramento city restaurants fall under the county overlay, not a separate city grading program..

Also covered: Rodent Control (moderate), Food Handler Certification (moderate), Bed-Bug Rules (moderate). See the full public health rules guide for Sacramento for details.

Cannabis Regulations

Buffer Zones: Sacramento requires cannabis dispensaries and many other cannabis businesses to maintain a 600-foot buffer from K-12 schools, day cares, and youth centers, mirroring California Business and Professions Code 26054 statewide minimums..

Also covered: Social Equity Licensing (permissive), Cannabis Delivery Rules (moderate), Commercial Cannabis Zoning (moderate). See the full cannabis regulations guide for Sacramento for details.

Single-Use Items

Polystyrene Foam Rules: California Senate Bill 54 (2022) phases out non-recyclable plastic foodware, including expanded polystyrene foam, statewide. Sacramento businesses must transition away from EPS foam containers under the SB 54 implementation timeline..

Also covered: Plastic Bag Rules (moderate), Plastic Straw Rules (moderate). See the full single-use items guide for Sacramento for details.

Environmental Rules

Stormwater Management: Sacramento enforces comprehensive stormwater management under City Code Chapter 13.16 (Stormwater Management and Discharge Control). The City operates under an NPDES Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit issued by the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board.

Also covered: Gas Leaf Blower Ban (moderate), Vehicle Idling Restrictions (moderate), Climate Emergency Mobilization (moderate). See the full environmental rules guide for Sacramento for details.

Water Use Rules

Lawn Watering Restrictions: Sacramento Department of Utilities limits landscape irrigation to assigned days based on address, prohibits watering between 10am and 7pm, and bans runoff onto sidewalks. Restrictions tighten further during state drought declarations..

Also covered: Recycled Water Rules (moderate), Turf Replacement Rebates (permissive), Leak Reporting Duty (moderate). See the full water use rules guide for Sacramento for details.

Zoning Overlays & Bonuses

Transit-Oriented Communities (TOC): Sacramento's Title 17 zoning code includes transit-overlay districts along SacRT light-rail corridors that allow higher residential density, reduced parking minimums, and mixed-use development within a half-mile of stations..

Also covered: Density Bonus Law (permissive). See the full zoning overlays & bonuses guide for Sacramento for details.

Tree Protection

Heritage & Protected Trees: Sacramento's Heritage Tree program (City Code Chapter 12.56) provides special protection for historically, culturally, or environmentally significant trees. Heritage Trees are designated by City Council resolution and include exceptionally large trees, trees of notable species or age, and trees of historical significance.

Also covered: Protected Tree Species (strict), Parkway Planting (moderate), Tree Removal Permits (strict). See the full tree protection guide for Sacramento for details.

Hotels & Lodging

Transient Occupancy Tax: Sacramento charges a 12 percent Transient Occupancy Tax on lodging stays under 30 days, including hotels, motels, and short-term rentals. Operators collect TOT from guests and remit to the city Revenue Division..

Also covered: Hotel Worker Retention (permissive), Hotel Living Wage (permissive). See the full hotels & lodging guide for Sacramento for details.

Local Taxes & Fees

Parking Tax: Sacramento imposes a parking tax on commercial off-street parking transactions under Title 3 Chapter 3.06. Operators of paid lots and garages collect the tax from drivers and remit monthly to the city Revenue Division..

Also covered: Business Tax Classification (moderate). See the full local taxes & fees guide for Sacramento for details.

Immigration Policy

Sanctuary Policy Preemption: Sacramento adopted Resolution 2017-100 declaring sanctuary status. City officers may not use Sacramento resources to enforce federal civil immigration law, layered atop California's TRUST Act and SB 54 statewide values protections..

Also covered: E-Verify Mandates (permissive). See the full immigration policy guide for Sacramento for details.

Business Licensing & Operations

Tobacco Retail License: Sacramento requires a separate Tobacco Retailer License under City Code Chapter 5.156 in addition to the state CDTFA license. The city banned flavored tobacco sales locally before California's statewide flavor ban took effect..

Also covered: Massage Establishments (moderate). See the full business licensing & operations guide for Sacramento for details.

Public Conduct

Public Alcohol Use: Sacramento prohibits drinking alcoholic beverages and possessing open containers in public places, parks, and on public streets under City Code Title 9, with limited exceptions for permitted special events and licensed sidewalk dining..

Also covered: Public Marijuana Use (moderate). See the full public conduct guide for Sacramento for details.

Curfew Laws

Juvenile Curfew: Sacramento enforces a juvenile curfew under City Code Chapter 9.36. Minors under 18 are prohibited from being in public places during curfew hours: 11:00 PM to 5:00 AM Sunday through Thursday, and midnight to 5:00 AM Friday and Saturday nights.

Also covered: Park Curfew (moderate). See the full curfew laws guide for Sacramento for details.

Tobacco & Vaping

Vape Retail Rules: Sacramento tobacco retailers selling vape and e-cigarette products must hold a state Tobacco Retailer License, comply with the flavored tobacco ban, verify ages 21+, and follow local zoning and signage rules under Sacramento City Code..

Also covered: Flavored Tobacco Bans (strict). See the full tobacco & vaping guide for Sacramento for details.

Employment Preemption

Minimum Wage Preemption: Sacramento workers receive the higher of California's statewide minimum wage of 16.50 dollars per hour, indexed annually under Lab. Code Section 1182.12, and the city's local floor under Sacramento City Code Chapter 5.156..

Also covered: Paid Leave Preemption (moderate), Worker Scheduling Preemption (permissive). See the full employment preemption guide for Sacramento for details.

Mobility & Curb Rules

Bike Lane Rules: California Vehicle Code §21208 requires cyclists on roadways with bike lanes to use them when traveling slower than traffic, with exceptions for turning, hazards, and passing. Sacramento maintains an extensive Class II and IV bikeway network..

Also covered: Shared E-Scooter Rules (moderate). See the full mobility & curb rules guide for Sacramento for details.

Swimming Pools & Spas

Fencing Requirements: Sacramento enforces both state law (Cal. Health & Safety Code §§115920-115929) and Sacramento City Code 15.64.070, which require every swimming pool or spa to be enclosed by a barrier at least 60 inches high.

Also covered: Safety Rules (strict), Above-Ground Pools (moderate). See the full swimming pools & spas guide for Sacramento for details.

Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors

Vending Zones: Sacramento has designated specific areas where food trucks and mobile vendors may operate, particularly in the downtown and midtown grid areas. The City has worked to create food truck-friendly zones in commercial areas, near parks, and at special events.

Also covered: Food Truck Permits (moderate). See the full food trucks & mobile vendors guide for Sacramento for details.

Soliciting & Door-to-Door

No-Knock Registry: Sacramento honors no-solicitation signs and postings under City Code Chapter 5.36. Solicitors are prohibited from knocking on doors or ringing doorbells at properties that display a no-solicitation or no-trespassing sign.

Also covered: Solicitor Permits (moderate). See the full soliciting & door-to-door guide for Sacramento for details.

Sign Regulations

Political Signs: Sacramento regulates signs under City Code Chapter 15.148 (Sign Ordinance). Political signs on private residential property are broadly protected under the First Amendment and California Election Code §18370.

Also covered: Garage Sale Signs (moderate), Holiday Displays (permissive). See the full sign regulations guide for Sacramento for details.

Property Maintenance

Vacant Lot Maintenance: Sacramento requires owners of vacant lots to maintain their properties in a clean, safe, and non-hazardous condition under City Code Chapters 8.96 and 8.100. Vacant lots must be kept free of weeds exceeding 12 inches, accumulated trash, and debris.

Also covered: Garage Sale Rules (permissive), Trash Bin Storage (moderate), Property Blight (strict). See the full property maintenance guide for Sacramento for details.

Drone Rules

Commercial Drones: Commercial drone operations in Sacramento require an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate and compliance with all federal and local regulations. Operators must obtain LAANC (Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability) authorization for flights in controlled airspace near Sacramento's airports.

Also covered: Recreational Drones (moderate). See the full drone rules guide for Sacramento for details.

Garage & Yard Sales

Garage Sale Permits: Sacramento does not require a permit for residential garage sales, yard sales, or estate sales. These are considered a normal accessory use of residential property.

Also covered: Frequency Limits (permissive), Time Restrictions (permissive). See the full garage & yard sales guide for Sacramento for details.

Trash & Recycling

Recycling Requirements: Sacramento requires mandatory recycling and composting for all residents and businesses under state law (AB 341, AB 1826, and SB 1383) and the City's solid waste ordinance (Chapter 8.104). The blue recycling cart accepts paper, cardboard, glass, metal, and plastics #1-7.

Also covered: Pickup Rules & Schedules (moderate), Bin Placement Rules (moderate), Bulk Item Disposal (moderate). See the full trash & recycling guide for Sacramento for details.

Building Setbacks & Zoning

Setback Rules: Sacramento's zoning code (City Code Title 17) establishes minimum setback requirements for all structures based on the zoning district. Standard single-family residential (R-1) setbacks include a 20-foot front yard, 5-foot interior side yards, 10-foot street side yards, and 15-foot rear yards.

Also covered: Structure Height Limits (moderate), Lot Coverage Limits (moderate). See the full building setbacks & zoning guide for Sacramento for details.

What to Do With This Information

This overview covers the big picture, but the details matter. Each ordinance page for Sacramento includes the full text, violation penalties, and frequently asked questions. Use those pages when you need specifics.