West Sacramento, CA Home Business: Zoning & Home Occupation Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Floor area cap
- 25% of dwelling unit
- Applies
- Any residential unit, any zone
- Discretionary permit
- Not required if standards met
- Excluded
- Licensed family day care
Summary
West Sacramento allows a home occupation by right in any residential unit and zone, but confines it to the dwelling or an attached garage and caps it at 25% of the floor area.
Home occupations shall be located, developed, and operated in compliance with the following standards:
A. Applicability. This section applies to home occupations in any residential unit in the City regardless of the zoning designation. It does not apply to family day care, which is regulated separately.
B. General Standards. All home occupations shall be located and operated consistent with the following standards unless otherwise allowed by State law:
1. Residential Appearance. The residential appearance of the unit within which the home occupation is conducted shall be maintained, and no exterior indication of a home occupation is permitted.
2. Location. All home occupation activities shall be conducted entirely within the residential unit, or within a garage that is attached to, and reserved for, the residential unit. When conducted within a garage, the doors thereof shall be closed, and the area occupied shall not preclude the use of required parking spaces for parking.
3. Floor Area Limitation. No more than 25% of the floor area of the dwelling unit may be used in the conduct of the home occupation.
4. Employees. No employees or independent contractors other than residents of the dwelling shall be permitted to work at the location of a home occupation except as otherwise allowed for cottage food operations.
5.
Full Breakdown
West Sacramento Municipal Code § 17.30.120 lets any residential unit in the City of West Sacramento, Yolo County, run a home occupation regardless of the zoning designation, with no discretionary use permit needed if the operator meets the section's standards. All activity must stay entirely inside the dwelling or an attached, closed garage and use no more than 25% of the unit's floor area; only residents may work there, except for cottage food operations. Licensed family day care is exempt and regulated under a separate section.
Violations & Fines
Failing to meet the standards forfeits the home occupation's by-right status. WSMC § 17.46.050 makes zoning violations a misdemeanor, citable as an infraction, with each day of noncompliance a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to run a home business in West Sacramento?
How much of my house can I use for a home business?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in West Sacramento
How West Sacramento compares: Easiest Cities to Run a Home Business·California rules heatmap·Compare West Sacramento to another location·View the California home business overview
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