Business Licensing & Operations in Sacramento County, CA (2026)
6 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 4 cities in Sacramento County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
Sexually oriented businesses in unincorporated Sacramento County must locate in an M-1 or M-2 industrial zone and stay at least 1,000 feet from any other sexually oriented business, residential use, school, park, church, or day care.
Sacramento County Sexually Oriented Business Spacing
Significant RestrictionsSacramento County Zoning Code § 3.7.4.C.1, .3 (Location Conditions for Sexually Oriented Businesses)
Sexually oriented businesses, as defined, shall be permitted, subject to compliance with all of the locational conditions... Is in either an M-1 or M-2 zone. Is more than 1,000 feet from any other sexually oriented business. Is more than 1,000 feet from any existing residential use or property zoned agricultural, agricultural-residential, or residential, or that is regulated by Title V or Title...
Massage Establishments
Every massage establishment in unincorporated Sacramento County needs a Massage Establishment Special Business License, and any new location opened after January 1, 2025 must sit at least 1,000 feet from another licensed establishment or a sensitive use like a school.
Sacramento County Massage Establishment License
Significant RestrictionsSacramento County Code § 4.36.040
Except as provided in Section 4.36.035, it shall be unlawful for any person to own, operate, engage in, conduct, permit, or carry on in any way, a Massage Establishment, unless under and by authority of a valid, unexpired, unrevoked Massage Establishment Special Business License issued pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. There shall be only one Massage Establishment Special Business Lic...
Tattoo & Body Modification
Tattoo, piercing and other body art businesses in unincorporated Sacramento County must register and pay annual regulatory fees to the Environmental Management Department under County Code Chapter 6.99. Practitioners, facility owners, mobile operators and temporary event sponsors each pay a separate fee tied to California's Safe Body Art Program statute.
Sacramento County Body Art Facility Fees
Some RestrictionsSacramento County Code §§ 6.99.436, 6.99.437, 6.99.438, 6.99.439, 6.99.445, 6.99.450
§ 6.99.436. Body Art Fees. The regulatory program fees for a Safe Body Art Program as prescribed in California Health and Safety Code Sections 119300 through 119328 shall be established pursuant to Section 6.99.170 for the following: A. Annual Fees. 1. Practitioner registration; 2. Practitioner registration (facility owner/operator); 3. Body art facility permit; 4. Mobile body art facility perm...
Tobacco Retail License
Vape shops and e-cigarette retailers in unincorporated Sacramento County are regulated as tobacco retailers: Chapter 4.07 defines 'tobacco product' by cross-reference to state law, which covers e-cigarettes, so a Tobacco Retailer License is required.
Sacramento County Vape Retailer Licensing
Significant RestrictionsSacramento County Code § 4.07.030 (Definitions — "Tobacco Product," "Tobacco Retailer")
"Tobacco product"shall be as defined in Business and Professions Code Section 22950.5. "Tobacco retailer"means any person who sells, offers for sale, exchanges, or offers to exchange for any form of consideration, tobacco, tobacco products, or tobacco paraphernalia without regard to the quantity sold, offered for sale, exchanged or offered for exchange. "Tobacco retailing"shall mean selling, ...
Pawnbrokers
Sacramento County requires every pawnbroker in the unincorporated area to hold a special business license issued by the Sheriff under County Code Chapter 4.30 before lending money on pledged property or operating a pawnshop.
Sacramento County Pawnbroker Licensing
Significant RestrictionsSacramento County Code § 4.30.010 (License Required)
It is unlawful for any person to operate or conduct the business of pawnbroker, secondhand dealer, secondhand watch dealer, junk dealer or junk collector, unless under and by authority of a valid, unexpired and unrevoked special business license issued pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 4.10 and this chapter. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection c of Section 4.10.040 and Section 4.1...
Auto Repair on Residential Property
Unincorporated Sacramento County bans running an auto-repair business from a home, and even personal vehicle repair is capped: no vehicles left inoperable outside an enclosed garage for more than 24 hours, no special tools, and only vehicles registered to residents.
Sacramento County Home Auto Repair Rules
Significant RestrictionsSacramento County Zoning Code § 3.9.3.L
It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in, or permit others to engage in, minor vehicle repair or maintenance under any of the following circumstances: Using tools not normally found in a residence; Conducted on vehicles registered to persons not currently residing on the lot or parcel; and, Conducted outside a fully enclosed garage or accessory structure and resulting in the vehicle bei...
Business Licensing & Operations by City in Sacramento County
4 cities in Sacramento County have their own business licensing & operations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
8 verified rules • Adult Entertainment, Auto Repair on Residential Property
8 verified rules • Adult Entertainment, Auto Repair on Residential Property
5 verified rules • Adult Entertainment, Auto Repair on Residential Property
8 verified rules • Adult Entertainment, Auto Repair on Residential Property
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