Before You Build in Sacramento County, CA: Permit & Rule Checklist (2026)

Sacramento County Zoning Code limits front-yard fences to 3.5 feet and rear/side fences to 7 feet. Solid front fencing over 3.5 feet requires a zoning clearance.

Fences 7 feet and under in unincorporated Sacramento County do not require a building permit, but a zoning clearance is required for front-yard fences over 3.5 feet or in setback areas.

California Civil Code 841 (Good Neighbor Fence Act) presumes equal cost-sharing for boundary fences. 30-day written notice is required before building or repairing a shared fence.

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 requires a building permit for all in-ground pools and most above-ground pools over 18 inches deep. CA Building Code and HSC 115920 apply.

Hot tubs and spas in Sacramento County require building/electrical permits and must have locking covers meeting ASTM F1346 or barriers per HSC 115922.

New or remodeled pools in Sacramento County must have at least 2 safety features under CA HSC 115922 (Pool Safety Act).

Pool enclosures must be at least 60 inches high with self-closing, self-latching gates per CA HSC 115923. Sacramento County enforces through building inspections.

Above-ground pools over 18 inches deep require a Sacramento County building permit. Pool safety act barriers apply if capable of holding 18 inches of water.

Sacramento County permits ADUs and JADUs on all residential lots per Government Code 65852.2. Detached ADUs up to 1,200 sq ft, 4 ft setbacks, and streamlined 60-day ministerial review are standard.

Garage conversions to living space or ADUs are permitted in unincorporated Sacramento County. State ADU law (Gov Code 65852.2) waives replacement parking requirements when converting a garage to an ADU.

Tiny homes on a permanent foundation can qualify as ADUs in unincorporated Sacramento County. Tiny homes on wheels (THOWs) are regulated as recreational vehicles and generally cannot be used as permanent dwellings on residential lots.

Carports in unincorporated Sacramento County are treated as accessory structures requiring a building permit. Setbacks, height, and coverage limits apply, and carports in front yards are generally restricted to driveway areas.

Sheds and detached accessory buildings 120 sq ft or less without utilities are permit-exempt in unincorporated Sacramento County. Larger structures require a building permit and must meet setbacks.

Open burning of yard waste, trash, and vegetation is generally prohibited in unincorporated Sacramento County under SMAQMD Rule 421 and county fire code. Agricultural burns require SMAQMD permits and burn-day authorization.

Unincorporated Sacramento County allows backyard fire pits subject to California Fire Code and SMAQMD rules. Fire pits must be 3 ft or smaller, burn only clean seasoned wood or propane, and sit at least 15 ft from structures, fences, and combustible vegetation.

Sacramento County has one of Californias strongest Native Oak Tree Ordinances. Pruning of protected native oaks (heritage oaks 36 inch DBH plus) requires a permit and an arborist report. Illegal trimming can trigger fines up to 25,000 dollars per tree.

Sacramento County and its water providers enforce permanent water waste prohibitions plus drought-response watering schedules. Outdoor watering is generally limited to two or three days per week with no daytime irrigation and no runoff.

Removal of protected native oaks in unincorporated Sacramento County requires a Tree Permit and mitigation planting. Heritage oak removal requires discretionary approval and mitigation at ratios up to 12:1.