6 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 10 cities in Sacramento County, California.
Verified from official government sources
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.
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.
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.
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...
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.
10 cities in Sacramento County have their own home business rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
5 verified rules • Cottage Food Operations, Customer Traffic Restrictions
6 verified rules • Cottage Food Operations, Customer Traffic Restrictions
6 verified rules • Cottage Food Operations, Customer Traffic Restrictions
6 verified rules • Cottage Food Operations, Customer Traffic Restrictions
2 verified rules • Cottage Food Operations, Home Occupation Permits
6 verified rules • Cottage Food Operations, Customer Traffic Restrictions
2 verified rules • Cottage Food Operations, Home Occupation Permits
3 verified rules • Customer Traffic Restrictions, Signage Rules
6 verified rules • Cottage Food Operations, Customer Traffic Restrictions
3 verified rules • Customer Traffic Restrictions, Signage Rules
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