Home Business in Sacramento County, CA (2026)

4 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 6 cities in Sacramento County, California.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Sacramento County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Zoning & Home Occupation Permits

Sacramento County Zoning Code § 3.9.3.F allows up to three home occupations per residence, using no more than 20 percent of the habitable floor area or 200 square feet, whichever is greater. Only people who live in the dwelling work on site, business visitors are capped at eight per day, and noise cannot exceed 65 dBA at the property line.

Sacramento County Home Occupation Zoning Standards

Significant Restrictions

Sacramento County Zoning Code § 3.9.3.F.2, F.3 & F.7

No more than 20 percent of the habitable floor area of the principal dwelling or 200 square feet, whichever is greater, shall be dedicated to the home occupation. ... There shall be no more than three home occupations allowed per residence ... Only occupants of the dwelling may be engaged in a home occupation on the subject property. ... including not more than one business visitor per hour, no...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Signage Rules

Home occupations in unincorporated Sacramento County may show no visible evidence of the business from outside the residence, limited to at most one sign, and only where the property's zoning district permits home occupation signage at all.

Sacramento County Home Business Sign Limits

Significant Restrictions

Sacramento County Zoning Code § 3.9.3.F.2.d

There shall be no visible evidence of the conduct of such home occupation outside the structure other than one sign if permitted within the zoning district. There shall be no remodeling or construction of facilities especially for the home occupation that changes the external appearance of the residence from a residential to a more commercial appearing structure when viewed from the front of t...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Customer Traffic Restrictions

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 Business: Customer Traffic

Some Restrictions

California Health and Safety Code § 1597.45

(a) The use of a home as a small or large family daycare home shall be considered a residential use of property and a use by right for the purposes of all local ordinances, including, but not limited to, zoning ordinances. (b) A local jurisdiction shall not impose a business license, fee, or tax for the privilege of operating a small or large family daycare home. (c) Use of a home as a small or...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Home Daycare

Family day care homes are a permitted use in every unincorporated Sacramento County zoning district and need no zoning permit at all -- the county code treats licensed in-home child care exactly like an ordinary residential use.

Sacramento County Home Daycare Zoning

Few Restrictions

Sacramento County Zoning Code Sec. 3.5.1.F

The use of a legally permitted and lawfully occupied dwelling as a family day care home shall be a permitted use in all zoning districts and shall not require any permit pursuant to this ordinance. 3.5.1.G. Transitional Housing, Supportive Housing Section titled “3.5.1.G. Transitional Housing, Supportive Housing” [ADDED 06-06-2024] Transitional Housing and Supportive Housing, as defined in C...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗