city · Sacramento County · California

Sacramento, California Building Permits & Zoning

Regulatory data for residential homebuilders and land developers

6.5

Friction Index Moderate Regulatory Environment

Zoning & Requirements

Overlay Districts

Permitted By-Right Uses

Permitting Requirements

✓ Building permit application via SacBuildNet online portal
✓ CEQA review — infill categorical exemption common; SB 35 streamlining for qualifying projects
✓ Title 24 Part 6 energy compliance — HERS rater required, mandatory solar + battery-ready
✓ CalGreen Tier 1 or 2 checklist (city encourages Tier 2)
✓ Grading/drainage permit with geotechnical investigation
✓ SWPPP and post-construction stormwater management plan
✓ Sacramento Regional County Sanitation sewer connection
✓ Sacramento County Water Agency or city water connection
✓ Fire department review — residential sprinklers required
✓ Sacramento City USD and SCUSD school impact fees
✓ Transportation impact fee analysis (by zone)
✓ Airport overlay check (Natomas area — FAA height restrictions)
✓ Flood zone verification — FEMA and State DWR levee certification
✓ SB 9/ADU compliance checklist if subdividing or adding ADU

Process Notes

Staffing & Operations

State capital with active planning department. Strong by-right streamlining for Housing Element-consistent projects (SB 35). Online portal (SacBuildNet). Pre-application meetings required for non-standard projects. Infill housing receives favorable CEQA tiering.

Recent Changes

Sacramento adopted SB 9 implementing ordinance 2023 (duplex by-right). New ADU ordinance allows 2 ADUs per SF lot. Housing Element 6th Cycle certified 2024. Impact fee deferral program launched for affordable/workforce housing. Light rail proximity triggers SB 10 allowances.

Rezone Probability

65%

Contact Information

Permit Office Phone

(916) 808-5011

Official Website

https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/community-development

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