Short-term rental permit rules in Sacramento, CA β also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration β list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
Sacramento City Code Β§5.114 requires all STRs to obtain a Short-Term Rental Zoning Permit plus a Business Operations Tax certificate. Application fee is $452.66. Primary residence rentals are permitted year-round; non-primary residences are capped at 90 rental days per year. ADUs built after January 1, 2020 cannot be used as STRs.
Sacramento City Code Chapter 5.114 (effective February 18, 2016) governs all short-term rentals. Applications are handled through RentalScape (sacramento-ca-str.deckard.com). Both hosted and unhosted rentals are allowed with a permit. The property must be the operator's primary residence (minimum 6 months/year) or be capped at 90 rental days annually. Maximum occupancy: 6 guests per parcel or 2 adults per bedroom. A local responsible party must be reachable within 30 minutes. A 3-year rental registry must be maintained.
First violation: up to $1,500. Second violation within one year: up to $3,000. Each additional violation within one year: up to $5,000. Permit revocation possible.
Sacramento, CA
The City of Sacramento does not have a stand-alone movable tiny house (THOW) ordinance like neighboring West Sacramento's Ordinance 24-9. Tiny homes are only...
Sacramento, CA
Sacramento regulates carports under City Code Chapter 17.624 (Residential Accessory Structure and Use Regulations). Attached carports are governed by section...
Sacramento, CA
Sacramento treats above-ground pools the same as in-ground pools when water exceeds 18 inches deep. A building permit, manufacturer's specs, retractable ladd...
Sacramento, CA
Per Sacramento City Code 9.16.090, all pools and spas need a 60-inch barrier with a self-latching gate. New or remodeled pools at single-family homes must ha...
Sacramento, CA
Sacramento sheds under 120 sq ft don't need a building permit (Sac. City Code Β§15.20). Max 18 ft overall height, 10 ft wall height, min 4 ft from main house,...
Sacramento, CA
Sacramento enforces both state law (Cal. Health & Safety Code Β§Β§115920-115929) and Sacramento City Code 15.64.070, which require every swimming pool or spa t...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Sacramento County.
See how other cities in Sacramento County handle permit requirements.
See how Sacramento's permit requirements rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.