Nicolaus, CA

Unincorporated Sutter County does not publish numeric quiet-hour decibel windows in its general code. Loud or disturbing noise is regulated as a public nuisance under the Property Nuisance chapter and the County's general nuisance provisions, enforced complaint-by-complaint.

A dog in Sutter County is a nuisance animal if it barks or howls so continuously or incessantly as to unreasonably disturb the peace and tranquility of the neighborhood. Commercial kennels permitted under the zoning code are exempt.

Sutter County permits ADUs in all zones that allow residential uses. Attached ADUs are limited to 50% of the primary unit's floor area or 1,200 sq ft, whichever is less. Detached ADUs are typically capped at 850 sq ft (1,000 sq ft for 2+ bedrooms), expandable to 1,200 sq ft with a Conditional Use Permit.

Sutter County has adopted California's Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) into its Zoning Code at Section 1500-06-050(C) for residential and Table 1500-07-3(2)(k) for commercial/industrial. New or rehabilitated landscapes of 500+ sq ft must comply.

Sutter County does not maintain a stand-alone heritage-tree or oak-protection ordinance in the published code. Tree removal is generally allowed on private property, but trees within designated floodway, levee, or riparian areas require state/federal approval (Central Valley Flood Protection Board, USACE).

Sutter County adopted a dangerous-fireworks ordinance in 2019 with a zero-tolerance policy. Use or possession of illegal (non-Safe-and-Sane) fireworks carries a $1,000 fine and possible misdemeanor charges, with social-host liability for the property owner/renter.

Recreational fires in unincorporated Sutter County are regulated through Feather River Air Quality Management District (FRAQMD) open-burning rules and the California Fire Code. Burning is only allowed on permissive (burn) days declared by FRAQMD.

Outdoor burning in unincorporated Sutter County requires a permit from the Feather River Air Quality Management District (FRAQMD) and is only allowed on permissive (burn) days. CAL FIRE burn permits are also required during fire season.

Sutter County sits in the Sacramento River / Feather River basin and is protected by 260+ miles of levees. The county adopted Local Flood Hazard Area (LFHA) maps on July 2, 2016, supplementing FEMA FIRMs. Yuba City has a 200-year urban flood-protection standard; rural areas use the 100-year FEMA standard.