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Sacramento County, CA Public Health Rules: Rodent Control (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Governing chapter
Ch. 6.80, Sacramento County Code
Abatement deadline
7 days rodents, 48 hrs flies
Enforcer
Environmental Management Dept. Director
Non-compliance cost
County abates work and liens property

Summary

Sacramento County declares any rodent or fly breeding place on unincorporated land a public nuisance, and the Environmental Management Department can order abatement within seven days or perform the work itself and lien the property.

City-specific rules exist: Sacramento, Elk Grove, and Rancho Cordova have their own rodent control rules that differ from Sacramento County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

The Board of Supervisors of Sacramento County declares that any breeding place of flies and rodents in the unincorporated territory of Sacramento County which exists by reason of any condition or use made of land, organic plant waste, refuse, putrescible waste or of any other substance whatsoever, or the deposit or storage thereof, is a public nuisance.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4941150; v18 updated 2026-05-19).

Full Breakdown

Under Chapter 6.80, any place that breeds flies or rodents 'in an amount or manner such as to endanger public health or safety' in the unincorporated county is a declared public nuisance. The Director may enter land (not dwellings) between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. to check for breeding conditions, then issue written notice to abate within 48 hours for flies or seven days for rodents. If the owner refuses, the Director can abate the nuisance directly and bill the cost as a lien on the property, foreclosable within 90 days.

Violations & Fines

Refusing or neglecting to abate a declared rodent or fly breeding nuisance after written notice lets the County perform the abatement itself and bill the owner, with unpaid costs becoming a recorded lien on the property.

Frequently Asked Questions

What counts as a rodent nuisance under county law?
Any breeding place for rats, mice, gophers, or ground squirrels that endangers public health or interferes with others' use of property, per §§ 6.80.010 and 6.80.020.
How long do I have to fix it once notified?
Seven days from written notice for rodents (48 hours for flies) under § 6.80.050, unless the Director allows additional time.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Sacramento County

All Sacramento County rules

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