Sacramento County, CA Ordinances (2026)

Sacramento County grading regulated under County Code Chapter 16.44. Permits required for earthwork exceeding 50 cu yd, cuts/fills over specified depths, or work on steep slopes. Drainage must not be diverted onto neighboring properties. County drainage standards follow the Sacramento County Improvement Standards and Hydrology Manual.

Sacramento County requires erosion and sediment control BMPs on all grading and construction sites. County Code Chapter 16.44 implements the Grading, Erosion, and Sediment Control Ordinance. Wet-season (October 1 to April 30) requires enhanced measures including stabilization of disturbed areas. Violations can stop work and trigger penalties.

Sacramento County operates under a joint NPDES MS4 Permit (R5-2016-0040) with the City of Sacramento and other co-permittees. County Code Chapter 15.12 implements stormwater pollution prevention. New and redevelopment projects over 1 acre (or smaller in some cases) must comply with Post-Construction Stormwater Standards including LID and hydromodification controls.

Large portions of Sacramento County lie within FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas including Natomas, the Pocket, Delta communities, and areas along the American and Sacramento Rivers. SAFCA manages regional levee improvements. CA SB 5 requires 200-year flood protection for urban development in Central Valley. County Code Chapter 27.10 is the Floodplain Management Ordinance.

Sacramento County publishes no separate exotic-pet ordinance for unincorporated areas; exotic and wild animals are governed mainly by California law. Under Fish & Game Code 2118 and CCR Title 14 section 671, 'restricted species' (big cats, primates, alligators, venomous snakes such as rattlesnakes and other Viperidae) may not be kept as pets, and the state issues no exotic-pet permits.

In unincorporated Sacramento County, a dog may not stray from property owned or legally possessed by its owner unless restrained by a leash no longer than eight feet (County Code 8.08.056). Limited exceptions exist for law-enforcement/search-and-rescue dogs, supervised training or competitions, livestock herding, and hunting in a restricted shooting district. An unleashed dog off-property is treated as 'at large.'

In unincorporated Sacramento County, chickens, ducks, and geese may be kept on residential parcels of at least 10,000 square feet. On smaller lots, egg-laying chickens and ducks are limited to one per 1,000 sq ft of parcel (or one per 200 sq ft of rear yard). Coops must be covered, in the rear yard, and 20 feet from neighboring dwellings.

Sacramento County bans no dog breed. Under California Food & Agricultural Code 31683, no local dangerous-dog program may be breed-specific — except a mandatory spay/neuter program authorized by Health & Safety Code 122331. Acting on that exception, the County requires unaltered pit-bull-type dogs to be sterilized. General dog rules (licensing, leash, dangerous-dog declarations) apply to all breeds equally.

Backyard beekeeping is allowed in unincorporated Sacramento County. In agricultural and agricultural-residential zones, hives need only be registered with the County Agricultural Commissioner. Other zones require a lot of at least 5,000 sq ft, with hive caps by lot size: 2 (under 10,000 sf), 4 (10,000–20,000 sf), 6 (over 20,000 sf). All hives must be registered.

In unincorporated Sacramento County, horses and large livestock are generally allowed on parcels over 20,000 sq ft, incidental to a residence, with Zoning Code stable standards. Pigs are tightly limited by zone — three in AR2 and one on AR1 through RD-7 parcels, all needing 20,000+ sq ft. Animals must be kept in healthy, sanitary, nuisance-free conditions.

Unincorporated Sacramento County allows up to four mature dogs and four mature cats per lot, building, structure, enclosure, or premises. 'Mature' means four months or older for dogs and six months or older for cats. Keeping more than the limit requires a conditional use permit for a kennel or cattery. All dogs and cats must be licensed and rabies-vaccinated.

Unincorporated Sacramento County requires every cat over four months old to be licensed and currently rabies-vaccinated. Such cats must also be spayed or neutered unless the owner holds an unaltered (intact) license or qualifies for an exemption. Up to four mature cats (six months or older) are allowed per premises. Altered-cat license fees run about half the intact fee.

No Sacramento County ordinance specifically bans feeding wildlife in unincorporated areas; the County routes wildlife issues (skunks, raccoons, rodents) to the Agricultural Commissioner's Wildlife Services Program. Under California law, intentionally disrupting an animal's feeding can be unlawful 'harassment' (CCR Title 14 section 251.1), and feeding that attracts nuisance wildlife is enforceable as a property nuisance.

Animal hoarding in unincorporated Sacramento County is addressed through the County's four-dog/four-cat pet limit and animal-care duties plus California's cruelty law. Keeping more than four mature dogs or cats without a kennel/cattery permit is a code violation, and overcrowding that harms animals can be prosecuted under California Penal Code 597, with mandatory ownership bans under Penal Code 597.9.

Food trucks in unincorporated Sacramento County need a Mobile Food Facility permit from Sacramento County Environmental Management (health) plus a county business license. SB 946 (2018) limits local regulation of sidewalk vendors. Trucks must operate from an approved commissary and follow CA Retail Food Code (CalCode) for mobile facilities.

Sacramento County permits food trucks in most commercial, industrial, and mixed-use zones with property owner consent. Residential zones generally restrict vending except for special events. SB 946 requires objective health, safety, or traffic justification for sidewalk vendor location restrictions. Parks allow vending with permits.

Unincorporated Sacramento County follows California AB 1482 (Civil Code 1946.2) just cause eviction rules. No additional county-level tenant protection ordinance beyond state law.

Unincorporated Sacramento County has NO local rent cap. Statewide AB 1482 (Tenant Protection Act of 2019) applies: annual rent increases capped at 5 percent plus CPI, or 10 percent maximum, whichever is lower. Just-cause eviction required for tenants of 12+ months. Single-family homes owned by individuals and buildings under 15 years old are generally exempt.

No countywide rental registration program in unincorporated Sacramento County. Landlords must comply with state disclosure laws but no local registry or annual fee exists.

Sacramento County permits a limited number of commercial cannabis dispensaries in unincorporated areas under Chapter 4.45 with 600-foot school buffer and conditional use permit.

Adults 21+ may grow up to 6 plants for personal use under Prop 64 and HSC 11362.2. Sacramento County requires indoor cultivation only; outdoor grows prohibited in unincorporated areas.

No permit required for residential garage sales in unincorporated Sacramento County. Limit to 2-3 sales per year to stay within occasional-use and sales-tax exemption.

Outdoor watering rules depend on your water provider. Sacramento Suburban Water District prohibits irrigation from noon to 6 p.m. and within 48 hours of measurable rain. Statewide, the State Water Board permanently bans runoff, hosing hard surfaces, and other water waste for all Californians regardless of district.

Removing a protected tree, especially a native oak, landmark tree, or public tree, in the unincorporated urban area requires a County tree permit under County Code Chapter 19.12. Unpermitted removal is a misdemeanor and public nuisance and can require in-kind replacement or payment into the Tree Preservation Fund.

Unincorporated Sacramento County has no fixed lawn-height number for living, maintained grass. Instead, dead/overgrown vegetation is regulated as a nuisance: dead vegetation over 12 inches tall covering more than 50% of a front or side yard visible from the street is a code violation, and fire-season weed clearance is enforced by Metro Fire.

In the unincorporated urban area, pruning a protected tree (native oaks, landmark trees, and other regulated trees) generally requires a County tree permit, just like removal. Work on branches, limbs, or roots over two inches in diameter must be done by an ISA Certified Arborist or Tree Worker. Routine pruning of unprotected trees is unregulated.

In unincorporated Sacramento County, weed abatement is run by the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District during fire season. Weeds must be cut to one inch or less (cuttings removed) on residential parcels under half an acre, and a 30-foot clearance maintained around structures. County Code Chapter 17.12 (Weed Control) backs enforcement.

Rainwater harvesting is legal in California and not separately restricted by Sacramento County. Under the Rainwater Capture Act of 2012 (AB 1750), residential roof-to-barrel/cistern systems for outdoor use generally need no building or plumbing permit. Larger or non-standard systems may require permits and must avoid creating mosquito breeding or nuisances.

Sacramento County encourages native and drought-tolerant landscaping. The County zoning code's landscape standards emphasize native and water-wise plants, and the Sacramento County Water Agency's Cash for Grass program pays $1.00 per square foot (up to $2,000 residential) to replace lawn with low-water, non-invasive landscaping plus drip irrigation.

Artificial turf is allowed in unincorporated Sacramento County but is not counted as required landscaping by right. Under the Zoning Code landscape standards, artificial turf and other artificial-surface materials may be combined with required landscape areas only when approved through Design Review, and cannot replace required planting areas.

Under state law SB 1383, Sacramento County provides mandatory weekly curbside organics collection for unincorporated residents. The green-waste cart became an organics cart accepting food scraps, food-soiled paper, untreated wood, and yard trimmings starting July 4, 2022. Home (backyard) composting is encouraged as a complementary option.

Sacramento County Environmental Management enforces pest and vector control under County Code Chapter 6.36 and CA Health and Safety Code 2270+. Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District handles mosquito abatement. Fumigation requires licensed structural pest control operators registered with the CA Structural Pest Control Board.

Unincorporated Sacramento County scaffolding must comply with CA Building Code Chapter 33 and Cal/OSHA Title 8 standards. Scaffolds over 35 feet require engineering and permits through Community Development. Public right-of-way encroachment needs a separate encroachment permit from DOT.

Sacramento County enforces CA HSC 17920.10 (lead hazard as substandard housing) and federal EPA RRP Rule for renovations in pre-1978 homes.

Elevators in Sacramento County are regulated by Cal/OSHA Division of Occupational Safety and Health Elevator Unit. Annual state inspection and permit required.

In unincorporated Sacramento County, required front, side, and rear yard setbacks depend on the property's zoning district and proposed use, and are set in the development standards tables of Zoning Code Chapter 5. Setbacks are measured perpendicularly from the lot line to the nearest part of the building.

Typical single-family homes in unincorporated Sacramento County may be up to about 30 feet tall, and residential accessory structures are typically 16 feet or less, with exact limits set by zoning district. Certain larger institutional buildings may reach 75 feet with increased yards, and aircraft approach zones impose additional caps.

Lot coverage and intensity in unincorporated Sacramento County are controlled through the development standards tables of Zoning Code Chapter 5 and, for commercial and industrial buildings, a floor-area-to-lot-area ratio that shall not exceed 2.5:1. Residential intensity is shaped by setbacks, height, and density rather than a single countywide coverage cap.

Sacramento County juvenile curfew prohibits minors under 18 from public places between 10 PM and 5 AM (Sun-Thu) and midnight to 5 AM (Fri-Sat) without adult or exemption.

In unincorporated Sacramento County, County Code Section 9.36.067 makes it unlawful to enter or remain in the American River Parkway or Dry Creek Parkway between the first hour after sunset and sunrise. Violations are a misdemeanor. The Director may set opening and closing hours for other park facilities under the same chapter.

California Civil Code 714 (Solar Rights Act) prohibits HOAs and CC&Rs from banning or unreasonably restricting solar panel installation. Restrictions that increase cost by more than $1,000 or reduce efficiency by more than 10 percent are void. HOAs must approve or deny solar applications within 45 days.

Sacramento County offers expedited residential solar permits under AB 2188 and SB 379, with online submittal and typical approval within 1-3 business days for standard rooftop systems. Title 24 (2020) Solar Mandate requires solar on most new single-family homes. SMUD handles interconnection for its service territory; PG&E for the rest.

In unincorporated Sacramento County, the Noise Control ordinance (County Code Chapter 6.68) sets a nighttime quiet period of 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. when exterior noise reaching a residential property may not exceed 50 dBA, dropping from the 55 dBA daytime limit.

Sacramento County Code Section 8.08.050 prohibits animals in unincorporated areas from making loud or disturbing noises without provocation, including chronic howling, barking or whining. Complaints are handled by Animal Care Services rather than the noise-meter program.

Unincorporated Sacramento County does not ban leaf blowers but limits the hours of property-maintenance noise. Under County Code Chapter 6.68, such activity is exempt only between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. on weekdays and 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends.

On-road vehicle noise in unincorporated Sacramento County is governed mainly by California Vehicle Code muffler and exhaust laws (Sections 27150-27151), while the County Code addresses vehicle alarms and limits refuse-collection trucks to 75 dB at 50 feet.

County Code Section 6.68.070 sets exterior noise standards for unincorporated Sacramento County: 55 dBA during the day (7 a.m. to 10 p.m.) and 50 dBA at night (10 p.m. to 7 a.m.) in residential zones, measured at the affected property, with a 5 dBA reduction for music, speech or tonal noise.

Outdoor music in unincorporated Sacramento County is held to the Chapter 6.68 exterior noise standards, with the residential limit reduced 5 dBA because it is music. After 10 p.m. the effective cap at a neighbor's property is roughly 45 dBA, so evening outdoor sound is tightly limited.

Industrial and commercial mechanical noise in unincorporated Sacramento County is regulated under County Code Chapter 6.68 exterior noise standards, measured at the affected residential property. EMD specifically investigates habitual or mechanical sources such as pool pumps, HVAC systems and commercial equipment.

Aircraft noise around unincorporated Sacramento County is addressed through the General Plan Noise Element and airport Land Use Compatibility Plans rather than the dBA noise ordinance. New residential uses within the 60 CNEL contour are generally treated as incompatible, with interior noise limited to 45 CNEL.

Amplified music in unincorporated Sacramento County is regulated through County Code Chapter 6.68. Sound consisting of music or speech is held to a stricter standard, with the applicable noise limit reduced by 5 dBA, so amplified music must stay below roughly 50 dBA daytime and 45 dBA at night.

Under County Code Section 6.68.090, construction, repair, remodeling, demolition, paving and grading in unincorporated Sacramento County are exempt from the noise limits only if they do not occur between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. on weekdays, with later 7 a.m. starts on weekends.

California HOA assessments are governed by Civil Code 5605. Regular increases over 20 percent or special assessments over 5 percent require member approval.

Davis-Stirling Act requires Internal Dispute Resolution (Civ Code 5900) and Alternative Dispute Resolution (Civ Code 5925) before most HOA lawsuits.

HOA architectural review in California is governed by Civil Code 4765. Boards must provide fair, reasonable, and timely review with written decisions.

CC and Rs enforcement in California requires due process under Civil Code 5850-5865. Fines require notice, hearing, and published schedule.

HOAs in Sacramento County operate under the Davis-Stirling Act (Civil Code 4000-6150). Board meetings, notices, and elections must follow statutory rules.

Recreational drone pilots must follow FAA rules including Remote ID and TRUST test. Sacramento County bans launch and landing in Regional Parks without permit. SMF Class C airspace requires LAANC.

Commercial drone pilots need FAA Part 107 certification. LAANC required for SMF, Mather, and McClellan airspace. County parks require Special Use Permit plus liability insurance.

Sacramento County honors posted No Soliciting and No Trespassing signs. Solicitors who ignore signs can be cited for trespass under Penal Code 602 in addition to county peddler violations.

Commercial door-to-door solicitors must obtain a Sacramento County Peddler permit through the Sheriff. Hours typically limited 9 AM to sunset or 8 PM. Religious and political canvassing exempt.

Snow is extremely rare in the Sacramento Valley. No county sidewalk snow removal ordinance exists. Owners must keep sidewalks free of debris and hazards under Streets and Highways Code 5610.

In unincorporated Sacramento County, accumulating junk, garbage, rubbish, inoperable vehicles, or storing materials that create visual blight outside a fully enclosed structure is a public nuisance enforced by County Code Enforcement under the Sacramento County Code.

Vacant and foreclosed properties in unincorporated Sacramento County must be kept free of overgrown and dead vegetation, weeds, junk, and fire hazards. The fire district conducts dry-season weed inspections, and Code Enforcement handles vacant-property nuisances.

Unincorporated Sacramento County requires mandatory garbage, recycling, and organics service. Carts go to the curb no more than 24 hours before collection and must be returned to the property within 24 hours after pickup. Accumulating garbage or rubbish outside enclosed storage is a nuisance.

Unincorporated Sacramento County treats overgrown and dead weeds/grass as a nuisance when dead vegetation exceeds 12 inches over more than 50% of the visible yard. During the dry season the fire district also requires weeds cut to no more than one inch for fire safety.

Unincorporated Sacramento County allows up to 3 garage sales per year at the operator's residence, each lasting no more than two consecutive days. Signs may be placed only on your own property and cannot exceed 12 square feet total, per Zoning Code Section 3.9.3.M.

Home occupations in unincorporated Sacramento County are limited to minimal customer visits and may not generate traffic, parking demand, or deliveries greater than normal residential use. Most businesses must operate without on-site clients.

Home occupations are permitted in unincorporated Sacramento County under Zoning Code Section 3.9.3.F, subject to standards designed to keep their effects undetectable from normal residential activity. The business must be incidental to the home, use no more than 20% of the habitable floor area, and generate minimal traffic.

Cottage food operations are allowed as a home occupation in unincorporated Sacramento County under Zoning Code Section 3.9.3.F, with only one employee/partner reporting to the residence. The County Environmental Management Department registers Class A and permits Class B operations under California's Homemade Food Act (Health & Safety Code 113758).

Under Sacramento County Zoning Code Section 3.5.1.F, the use of a legally permitted, lawfully occupied dwelling as a family day care home is a permitted use in all zoning districts and requires no County zoning permit. This mirrors California's preemption of local zoning over family day care homes (Health & Safety Code 1597.40 et seq.).

A home occupation in unincorporated Sacramento County is a permitted use by-right under Zoning Code Section 3.9.3.F when it meets the standards, but the operator must obtain a County General Business License from the Department of Finance and should confirm zoning compliance with Planning & Environmental Review first.

A home occupation in unincorporated Sacramento County may have no more than one sign, not exceeding four square feet, attached flat against the building or in a front window, and not illuminated (Zoning Code Section 5.10.1.E). Section 3.9.3.F otherwise requires no visible evidence of the business outside the dwelling.

Smoke alarm requirements in unincorporated Sacramento County follow California law. Under Health and Safety Code Section 13113.7, dwellings must have smoke alarms in each bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level. Carbon monoxide alarms are required under the Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act (SB 183) in homes with fuel-burning appliances, fireplaces, or attached garages.

In unincorporated Sacramento County, only State Fire Marshal-approved 'Safe and Sane' fireworks are legal, and only during a narrow window. They may be possessed and sold from noon June 28 through 9 p.m. July 4, and discharged only between 9 a.m. and 10 p.m. All aerial and exploding fireworks are illegal year-round.

Residential open burning of leaves, yard trimmings, and household waste is prohibited year-round in unincorporated Sacramento County. Open burning is regulated by the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District; agricultural burns require a Sac Metro Air District permit and may occur only on declared permissive burn days. Check burn status before any allowed burning.

Property owners in or near mapped fire hazard zones must maintain defensible space under California Public Resources Code Section 4291. The standard is 100 feet of clearance around structures (or to the property line). Sacramento County's 2025 CAL FIRE maps added Moderate, High, and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones in south, southeast, and east county areas.

Backyard recreational fires are allowed in most unincorporated Sacramento County under Sacramento Metro Fire's California Fire Code rules - 3 feet by 2 feet maximum, 25 feet of clearance, constantly attended, with extinguishing equipment on hand. Burning trash, leaves, or yard waste in the backyard is prohibited by Sac Metro Air District, and no-burn days apply in winter.

Propane (LP-gas) storage in unincorporated Sacramento County follows the California Fire Code Chapter 61 as enforced by the local fire agency. Small portable cylinders for grills and camping have permit exemptions, but LP-gas may not be stored inside buildings except small approved cylinders, and larger tanks require setbacks and a fire-code permit.

Most of unincorporated Sacramento County is low-lying valley floor with low wildfire hazard, so the majority of parcels are not in a Fire Hazard Severity Zone. However, the 2025 CAL FIRE maps added Moderate, High, and Very High FHSZ designations in south, southeast, and eastern county areas, triggering defensible space and, in higher zones, WUI building standards.

Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District applies the California Fire Code to recreational fires in most unincorporated areas. A recreational fire is limited to 3 feet or less in diameter and 2 feet or less in height, with at least 25 feet of clearance from structures and combustibles, must be constantly attended, and must have on-site fire-extinguishing equipment available.

Seasonal holiday lights and displays permitted on private property with no permit required. Inflatables and roof displays must not create traffic hazards or violate fire or electrical codes.

In unincorporated Sacramento County, Zoning Code Section 5.10.1.C allows political, religious, and civic campaign signs in any zone for up to 90 days, provided they are removed within 10 days after the campaign ends. Signs must stay at least 5 feet from side property lines and 10 feet from the street right-of-way.

Unincorporated Sacramento County has no specific 'garage sale sign' provision. Under Zoning Code Section 5.10.1, portable A-frame and off-site directional signs are generally prohibited (5.10.1.I), and signs in the public right-of-way may be removed by county personnel without notice. Only limited open-house directional signs are expressly allowed.

Sacramento County limits short-term rental occupancy in unincorporated areas to no more than two adults per bedroom, and only one rental party may occupy the unit at a time. The standard is set in Sacramento County Code Chapter 4.08. Permits approved before February 2, 2023 had occupancy limits that applied only to adults over 18.

Sacramento County's short-term rental ordinance for unincorporated areas requires operators to identify pre-approved, authorized on-site parking spaces in the permit application and to post them on the required information flyer. Parking is one of the operational standards set in Sacramento County Code Chapter 4.08, alongside noise, refuse, and guest conduct, and operators must take measures to keep guest vehicles from disturbing neighbors.

Noise is one of the operational standards in Sacramento County's short-term rental ordinance (Code Chapter 4.08) for unincorporated areas, and operators must take measures so guests do not disturb the neighborhood. Short-term rentals must also comply with the County's general noise ordinance, which sets lower nighttime limits in residential zones. A 24-hour Local Contact Person must be reachable to address complaints.

Unincorporated Sacramento County allows short-term rentals only at a primary residence. The owner or a long-term renter must live at the property at least six months a year, the short-term rental must remain accessory to that full-time occupancy, and only one short-term rental permit may be held per applicant. Investor-owned, non-owner-occupied whole-home STRs are not eligible.

Sacramento County does not require the host to be present during every unincorporated-area short-term rental stay, but the program is anchored to owner occupancy: the home must be a primary residence lived in at least six months a year. A Local Contact Person must be available 24 hours by phone and able to reach the property within 60 minutes.

Sacramento County's short-term rental program for unincorporated areas requires operators to carry liability insurance covering the rental use, with published guidance describing a minimum on the order of $500,000 to $1,000,000 per occurrence. Operators should confirm the exact required coverage limit with the Office of Planning & Environmental Review, as it is set through Sacramento County Code Chapter 4.08 and permit conditions.

Short-term rental operators in unincorporated Sacramento County must collect a 12% Transient Occupancy Tax from guests staying under 30 days and remit it to the County, under Revenue and Taxation Code Section 7280 and County Code Chapter 3.08. A 1% Tourism Infrastructure District assessment and a Tourism Marketing District assessment also apply. Permit and license fees run about $230 to $452.66.

Sacramento County limits short-term rentals in unincorporated areas to stays of 29 consecutive days or less, and caps each rental party at no more than 29 total days per year. Stays of 30 days or more are not short-term rentals and need no STR permit. The day limits keep short-term rental an accessory use to a primary residence.

Before renting short-term in unincorporated Sacramento County, operators must register on three tracks: a Short-Term Rental Permit through Planning & Environmental Review, a General Business License, and a Transient Occupancy Tax registration with the Department of Finance. Applications must document parking, fire extinguishers, refuse areas, and a 24-hour local contact person, and a required information flyer must be posted in the unit.

Unincorporated Sacramento County requires a Short-Term Rental Permit from Planning & Environmental Review before renting a home or room for 29 days or less. The property must be the operator's primary residence (lived in at least six months a year), the rental stays an accessory use, and a Business License plus Transient Occupancy Tax registration are also required.

Wood and charcoal smokers in unincorporated Sacramento County are treated as open-flame cooking devices under the California Fire Code: they cannot be operated on combustible balconies or within 10 feet of combustible construction (with single-family and sprinklered exemptions). Smoke that becomes a public nuisance is independently regulated by Sac Metro Air District Rule 402.

In unincorporated Sacramento County, the California Fire Code governs outdoor cooking. Section 308.1.4 prohibits operating charcoal burners and other open-flame cooking devices on combustible balconies or within 10 feet of combustible construction. One- and two-family dwellings and fully sprinklered buildings are exempt, so most single-family backyard grilling is unaffected.

Street parking in unincorporated Sacramento County is governed by County Code Title 10, Chapter 10.24. The Director may post signs and curb markings to control parking, no-parking zones, and time limits. Painted curbs follow the standard California colors, and California Vehicle Code rules apply where the County has not added its own restriction.

In unincorporated Sacramento County, commercial vehicles or equipment with a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or more generally may not be parked in residential zones except while actively loading, unloading, or rendering a service. Agricultural-vehicle storage and commercial truck storage have separate zoning rules.

Unincorporated Sacramento County does not impose a blanket overnight street-parking ban. Instead, County Code Section 10.24.070 prohibits parking any vehicle on a highway or alley for more than 72 continuous hours, with the same 72-hour cap on motor homes, trailer coaches, and truck-and-camper rigs in residential districts.

Sacramento County Code Chapter 6.56 declares abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, or inoperative vehicles a public nuisance, authorizing abatement and removal under California Vehicle Code Section 22660. On the street, a vehicle left over 72 hours (County Code § 10.24.070) is treated as abandoned. Code Enforcement posts a notice of intent to abate before removal.

Oversized vehicles in unincorporated Sacramento County are addressed mainly through the 72-hour street limit and the heavy commercial-vehicle restriction. Motor homes, trailer coaches, and truck-and-camper rigs may not stay on a residential-district highway more than 72 hours, and commercial vehicles of 10,000+ pounds GVWR are barred from residential parking except for active loading or service.

Unincorporated Sacramento County requires residential vehicles to be parked on a surfaced area, not on bare ground in the required yard. Front and side-street yards generally must be improved with an impervious surface (asphalt or concrete) on parcels under 15,000 square feet; larger parcels may use permeable surfaces.

Sacramento County has no separate ordinance reserving EV-charging spaces; the controlling law is California Vehicle Code Section 22511. It lets local authorities and lot owners designate charging-only stalls, and a non-charging vehicle occupying a properly posted EV stall may be towed. Section 22511.2 lets EV spaces count toward minimum parking.

Loading zones in unincorporated Sacramento County are set under County Code Chapter 10.24. The Director marks loading zones with yellow or white curbs. Yellow zones allow only loading/unloading from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. (except Sundays and holidays), with passenger loading limited to about one minute and material loading to roughly 20 minutes; white zones limit stops to five minutes.

Curb colors in unincorporated Sacramento County follow California Vehicle Code Section 21458, which says only local authorities may mark curbs to indicate parking rules. County Code Section 10.24.010 lets the County's Director place red, yellow, white, green, and blue curb markings. Private parties cannot lawfully paint public curbs.

In unincorporated Sacramento County you may keep an operable, currently registered RV, boat, or trailer on your residential lot, but it must sit on a surfaced area and cannot block the required landscaped/setback yard. RVs may not be lived in on residential property except by short-term temporary permit during home construction.

In unincorporated Sacramento County, front-yard fences are capped by material: solid walls 3 feet, semi-open or chain link 4 feet, and open wrought iron up to 7 feet. Side-street and interior-yard fences may reach 7 feet. AG and AR zone fences may be 7 feet at all property lines.

A building permit is not required for a fence 7 feet or less in unincorporated Sacramento County under the California Building Code. Fences taller than the County's zoning limits, or those using barbed wire, concertina wire, or electric fencing, may require a Minor Use Permit or Special Development Permit.

Sacramento County's Zoning Code does not assign cost between neighbors. Shared boundary fences are governed by California's Good Neighbor Fence Law (Civil Code Section 841), which presumes adjoining owners share construction and maintenance costs equally and requires 30 days' written notice before incurring shared costs.

Sacramento County recognizes solid walls, semi-open picket, open chain link or woven wire, and open ornamental wrought iron as fence types, each with its own front-yard height. Required screening walls for non-residential uses must be solid wood or masonry; makeshift materials are prohibited.

In unincorporated Sacramento County, an interior-yard fence may sit on a retaining wall up to 4 feet under Zoning Code Section 5.2.5.B.4. Taller retaining walls, and retaining-wall-plus-fence combinations, can be subject to additional zoning approval, and retaining walls over 4 feet typically require a building permit and engineering.

Beyond height, Sacramento County requires fences near intersections and driveways to meet visibility requirements of the County Improvement Standards, and certain commercial, industrial, and multifamily uses adjacent to residential property must screen with a solid fence or masonry wall at least 6 feet tall.

Sacramento County prohibits temporary or makeshift fence materials such as plywood, particle board, paper, and plastic tarps, and requires a Minor Use Permit for barbed wire, concertina wire, or electric fencing, with limited agricultural and industrial exceptions.

Pools in Sacramento County must have a 5-foot barrier and meet 2 of 7 safety features under California Health and Safety Code 115922. Pool fence permits issued with the pool permit.

Sacramento County's Tree Preservation and Protection Ordinance (County Code Chapter 19.12) requires a tree permit to remove or significantly impact protected trees, native oaks, landmark trees, and public trees, in the unincorporated urban area. Permits are issued by Planning and Environmental Review; the fee is about $31.95 and processing is typically under 10 working days.

In unincorporated Sacramento County a building permit is required to build a swimming pool, spa, or hot tub. County Code Chapter 16.36 governs barriers, and the pool cannot be filled until the required barrier is inspected and approved by a Building Inspection official.

Outdoor pools in unincorporated Sacramento County must be enclosed by a barrier at least 60 inches high (measured from the side facing away from the pool), with a maximum 2-inch gap at the bottom. Gates must be self-closing and self-latching. The barrier is set by County Code Section 16.36.130.

Sacramento County Code Section 16.36.130 requires a self-latching barrier, and where a dwelling wall with a door provides direct pool access, a separation fence is required. The County also recognizes approved child safety devices, pool alarms (UL 2017), and ASTM-compliant safety covers. California's Pool Safety Act (HSC 115922 et seq.) sets parallel drowning-prevention requirements.

Above-ground pools holding water over 18 inches deep are regulated like other pools in unincorporated Sacramento County. Where the pool wall or a top-mounted fence serves as the barrier, ladders or steps must be securable, lockable, or removable, and any opening created must be protected by a conforming barrier (County Code 16.36.130).

In unincorporated Sacramento County, a spa or hot tub with a locking safety cover meeting ASTM F1346-91 is not required to provide other barriers. Without such a cover, the spa or hot tub must meet the full pool barrier requirements of County Code Section 16.36.130.

Subscription to garbage, recycling, and organics collection is mandatory for improved parcels in unincorporated Sacramento County. Garbage and organics are collected weekly and recycling every other week by DWMR or a County franchisee, with carts out by 6 a.m. on collection day.

Unincorporated Sacramento County residents get one bulky waste pickup appointment per 12 months for up to five cubic yards, included in standard service. Items go out by 6 a.m., no more than 24 hours before pickup, one foot from the curb on a flat surface.

Unincorporated Sacramento County requires carts at the curb by 6 a.m. on collection day, out no more than 24 hours before and returned within 24 hours after. Carts must sit at least 6 feet from objects, 3 feet apart, with 14.5 feet of overhead clearance.

Unincorporated Sacramento County provides every-other-week curbside recycling, included in mandatory service. Accepted items include clean paper, cardboard, metal cans, glass bottles/jars, and rigid plastic bottles/jugs placed loose in the cart; bags, film plastic, and Styrofoam are excluded.

Under California SB 1383, unincorporated Sacramento County provides weekly organics collection. Since July 2022 the green cart accepts food scraps, food-soiled paper, and yard trimmings. Keeping organic waste out of the trash is required by state law for residents and businesses.

In unincorporated Sacramento County, Zoning Code Section 5.4.5.B allows one ADU and one JADU on a single-family lot. A detached ADU may reach 1,200 sq ft; an attached ADU is capped at 50 percent of the home or 800 sq ft, whichever is greater. Detached units are limited to 16 ft tall with 4-foot side and rear setbacks.

In unincorporated Sacramento County, Zoning Code Section 5.4.5.A limits residential accessory structures such as sheds to 16 feet tall with a 3-foot side and rear setback and 20-foot front setback. Minor sheds 120 sq ft or smaller and under 9 feet may sit on the property line. Total accessory area is tied to home size and lot size.

In unincorporated Sacramento County, converting an existing garage into an ADU or JADU is allowed under Zoning Code Section 5.4.5.B. A converted ADU may equal the existing structure's area plus 150 sq ft for entry; when a garage is converted to an ADU, no replacement parking is required and existing setbacks may remain.

In unincorporated Sacramento County, a detached residential carport is treated as an accessory structure under Zoning Code Section 5.4.5.A: maximum 16 feet tall, 3-foot interior side and rear setbacks, and a 20-foot front setback. The county does not mandate covered parking for existing single-family homes, so a carport is optional.

Unincorporated Sacramento County has no separate 'tiny home' ordinance. A tiny house on a permanent foundation is regulated as an ADU under Zoning Code Section 5.4.5.B (min 150 sq ft, up to 1,200 sq ft detached, 16 ft tall). A non-cooking detached structure may instead be a guest house limited to 500 sq ft.

Unincorporated Sacramento County has no comprehensive dark-sky ordinance for single-family homes. However, the Zoning Code requires full cut-off, shielded, downward-directed lighting for multifamily, commercial, and parking-area fixtures (Sec. 5.4.3, 5.9.4.G) to reduce light pollution and glare, referencing IESNA standards.

In unincorporated Sacramento County, Zoning Code lighting standards require multifamily, commercial, and parking-area fixtures to be fully shielded and directed downward and away from neighbors so that 'no light fixture directly illuminates an area outside of the site' (Sec. 5.4.3, 5.9.4.G). There is no fixture mandate for single-family homes.

Common code violations in unincorporated Sacramento County include junk and debris accumulation, overgrown vegetation, junk vehicles, unpermitted construction, substandard housing conditions, illegal fencing materials, and zoning violations.

Sacramento County Code Enforcement investigates violations of housing, zoning, and vehicle abatement laws in unincorporated areas. Complaints can be filed by calling 916-874-6444 or through the county's online complaint system.

Sacramento County Code Enforcement responds to complaints based on severity. Initial investigations typically begin within 5-10 business days for standard complaints. Health and safety hazards receive priority response. The division processes over 6,000 investigations annually.

Most renovation work in unincorporated Sacramento County requires building permits. Cosmetic changes are exempt. Structural, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work all require permits and inspections through the Building Permits and Inspection Division.

Fences that comply with Sacramento County zoning standards (Section 5.2.5) are exempt from building permits. Standard residential fences up to 6 feet are typically exempt. Fences must use approved materials and comply with height restrictions.

In unincorporated Sacramento County, storage sheds under 120 sq ft without electrical or plumbing are generally exempt from building permits. Sheds must meet setback, height, and placement requirements per county zoning standards.

Small ground-level decks and patios in Sacramento County may be exempt from permits under certain conditions. Elevated decks over 30 inches above grade require building permits. Guardrails are required on decks 30+ inches above grade.

Sacramento County does not have a specific bamboo ban, but running bamboo that encroaches onto neighboring properties is considered a nuisance. Property owners are responsible for installing root barriers and preventing spread under California civil law.

Sacramento County follows California's CDFA noxious weed list and Cal-IPC invasive plant inventory. Key invasive species in the Sacramento region include yellow starthistle, Scotch broom, giant reed (Arundo donax), and water hyacinth.

Front-yard food gardens are protected under California law (AB 2561) and cannot be banned by Sacramento County. Gardens must be maintained and not create nuisance conditions. Water-efficient landscaping standards apply to new landscapes over 500 sq ft.

Security cameras are legal on private property in Sacramento County. Video-only recording in public-facing areas is permitted without consent. Audio recording triggers California's strict two-party consent law (Penal Code 632), requiring all parties' consent.

California is a two-party (all-party) consent state under Penal Code 632. Recording any confidential communication without all parties' consent is a crime. This applies to phone calls, in-person conversations, and audio on security cameras throughout Sacramento County.

Sacramento County allows residential fences up to 6 feet in rear and side yards. Front yard fences are regulated by the zoning code (Section 5.2.5). Privacy fences help establish legal privacy expectations under California recording and surveillance law.