Sacramento County, CA Short-Term Rentals: Permit Requirements (2026)

In the unincorporated areas of Sacramento County, operating a short-term rental (a stay of 29 days or less) requires a Short-Term Rental Permit issued by the County Office of Planning & Environmental Review, in addition to a General Business License from the Department of Finance and registration for the Transient Occupancy Tax. The County's planning materials describe short-term rental as an accessory use that must remain secondary to the operator's full-time occupancy of the dwelling. To qualify, the property owner or a long-term renter must live on-site at least six months out of the year, and only one short-term rental permit may be held per applicant because the home must be a primary residence. All or a portion of the primary dwelling, and legally permitted accessory dwelling units (ADUs) constructed before January 1, 2020, may be rented short-term; ADUs built on or after January 1, 2020, along with junior ADUs and guest houses, are not eligible. The standards for short-term rentals are found in the County's Short-Term Rental Business License ordinance (Sacramento County Code Chapter 4.08) and the Sacramento County Zoning Code (Sections 3.9.3.AA and 6.5.6). The County's published initial application fee is $230, and County materials describe a collective fee for the Short-Term Rental Permit and Business License of $452.66. Applicants must document the location of fire extinguishers, trash and refuse areas, and authorized parking, and post a required information flyer in the unit. This applies only to unincorporated areas; the City of Sacramento regulates STRs separately under City Code Chapter 5.114.