Property Use

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have chickens?

Yes. The keeping of egg-laying chickens or ducks is considered an Incidental Agriculture Use and is allowed in most residential zoning districts, pursuant to the provisions of Sacramento County Zoning Code 3.9.3.G. which can be found in Chapter 3 of the Sacramento County Zoning Code.

Typically, an average RD-5 residential lot may keep one egg-laying chicken or duck per 1,000 square-feet of parcel area or 200 square-feet of rear yard area, whichever is less. These animals must be kept at least 20 feet from all neighboring residential dwellings and must have a covered coop or roost. Roosters or crowing fowl are allowed on lots greater than 10,000 square-feet.

Can I keep horses on my property?

You may keep horses on a hobby-type basis on agricultural-residential and residential lots 20,000 square-feet or greater.

Can I rent my home as a short-term rental (AirBnb, VRBO, etc.)?

Yes. Short-term rentals are allowed in a primary single-family dwelling or accessory dwelling units as an accessory use as long as the property owner lives on the property at least six months out of the year. Please review the Short-Term Rental Permits webpage.

Can I park a semi-truck on my residential property?

No. Pursuant to Sacramento County Zoning Code Section 5.9.3.E.1.a., Motor vehicles and equipment used for, or designed primarily for, commercial, industrial or agricultural purposes with a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating of ten thousand pounds or more, and trailers used for, or designed primarily for, commercial, industrial or agricultural purposes, cannot be parked or stored on any agricultural-residential, residential or interim residential zoned property except when loading, unloading, or rendering service. Section 5.9.3.E.1.a. in Chapter 5 of the Sacramento County Zoning Code.

What businesses can I run from my home?

Please review Sacramento County Zoning Code Section 3.9.3.F. for examples of allowed, restricted, or prohibited home occupations. Section 3.9.3.F. can be found in Chapter 3 of the Sacramento County Zoning Code.

Do I need a business license? How do I get a business license?

Please contact Business Licensing at (916) 874-6644 for business license questions. You can apply for a business license online through the Department of Finance website.

What can I do on my commercial property?

Please review Chapter 3 of the Sacramento County Zoning Code for allowed, conditionally allowed, and prohibited uses.

Can I open a cannabis dispensary or sell cannabis products (including CBD)?

Commercial cannabis activities are prohibited within the County of Sacramento. Please check our Cannabis in the Unincorporated County webpage for more information.

Can I conduct auto sales on a commercial property?

A Use Permit by the Planning Commission is required for auto sales in the GC, M-1, and M-2 zones and is not allowed in the LC or SC zones. A Use Permit by the Planning Commission is a discretionary permit which costs $14,862 (as of January, 2020) and takes approximately seven to nine months to process and includes public hearings, noticing, and environmental review.

Planning and Environmental Review