Tiny Homes: Galt vs Sacramento
How do tiny homes rules compare between Galt, CA and Sacramento, CA?
Galt has fewer restrictions than Sacramento.
Galt, CA
Sacramento County
Permanent tiny homes on foundations are allowed in Galt as ADUs if they meet California Residential Code. Tiny Homes on Wheels generally remain RVs under state law, meaning they cannot be used as permanent residences in most residential zones.
View full Galt rules →Sacramento, CA
Sacramento County
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.
View full Sacramento rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Galt | Sacramento |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation tiny home | Allowed as ADU | - |
| Code basis | CRC plus Appendix AQ | - |
| THOW | Generally RV, not residence | - |
| Movable Tiny House | Requires adopted ordinance | - |
| Guest RV | Short-term only | - |
| Tiny Home on Foundation | - | Permitted only as ADU per SCC Ch. 17.228, Art. XIV |
| Movable Tiny House (THOW) | - | Treated as RV; not a legal dwelling on residential lots |
| Building Code Adoption | - | 2022 CBC adopted in SCC Title 15 |
| RV Classification Authority | - | Cal. Health & Safety Code 18010; Title 25 CCR |
| Compare West Sacramento | - | West Sac Ord. 24-9 (2025) allows THOWs; Sacramento has not adopted similar rule |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Galt FAQ
Can I live in a tiny home on wheels in my backyard?
Not as a permanent residence in most cases. THOWs are treated as RVs and are not recognized as ADUs unless Galt adopts a Movable Tiny House ordinance that specifically authorizes them.
What is the smallest ADU I can build?
An efficiency dwelling can be as small as about 150 square feet if it meets Residential Code Appendix AQ or the efficiency unit provisions in state law.
Sacramento FAQ
Can I live in a tiny house on wheels in the City of Sacramento?
Not on a private residential lot. The City of Sacramento has not adopted a tiny-house-on-wheels ordinance, so movable tiny houses remain classified as recreational vehicles under California Health and Safety Code 18010 and Title 25 CCR and may only be occupied in a licensed RV park or mobilehome park.
Is a tiny home legal as an ADU in Sacramento?
Yes, when built on a permanent foundation and permitted as an Accessory Dwelling Unit under SCC Chapter 17.228, Article XIV. The structure must meet the 2022 California Building Code as adopted in SCC Title 15 and the accessory-structure setbacks in SCC 17.624.050.
Does Sacramento allow tiny homes like West Sacramento does?
No. West Sacramento's Ordinance 24-9 (adopted 2025) legalized tiny homes on wheels as dwellings up to 399 sq ft in most residential zones. The City of Sacramento has not enacted a parallel ordinance, so THOWs are still treated as RVs there.
What happens if I park a tiny house on wheels and live in it on my Sacramento property?
Code Enforcement can cite the property under SCC Chapter 8.04 for unlawful occupancy and zoning violations under Title 17, with administrative fines and an order to remove or vacate the unit.
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