Sacramento County, California Building Permit Guide

Building permits for unincorporated Sacramento County are issued by the Building Permits & Inspection Division of Community Development. Its Building Assistance Center has moved to 9800 Goethe Road, Sacramento, CA 95827. Applications and PDF plans are submitted only electronically, through the Citizen Access Portal at aca-prod.accela.com/SACCO, where plan review and permit fees are also paid.

This guide covers unincorporated Sacramento County and the City of Sacramento, the county seat. No County building fee schedule figures were found on the County’s website, so ask the Division for fees.

What requires a building permit in Sacramento County?

Two County rules that catch owners out: replacing windows (retrofit or cut-in, and door replacement) has needed a permit since January 1, 2010, and all new one- and two-family dwellings have needed fire sprinklers since January 1, 2011.

Some residential permits are issued automatically online once paid: heating and cooling, electrical panel repair or replacement, re-roofs with no structural change, sewer line repair or replacement, and water heaters. Rooftop solar goes through SolarAPP+, which is for contractors only.

For accessory dwelling units, the County offers pre-designed detached Shelf Ready ADU Plans to residents of the unincorporated areas only.

California builds on one statewide code, Title 24, whose 2025 edition took effect on 1 January 2026; the editions in effect when the application is submitted apply, and cities and counties may adopt local amendments only with findings filed with the state (new residential amendments are largely frozen until June 2031). Title 24 and local amendments

Who handles permitting in Sacramento County?

A new home is reviewed and approved by Technical Resources, LDSIR, the Planning Department and the Sacramento Sewer District, and Water Resources may also be involved depending on the parcel.

Cashiers at both building counters close at 4 p.m.

Septic systems and wells in Sacramento County

Septic systems anywhere in the county are permitted and inspected by EMD’s Liquid Waste Program, which also approves plot plans during building permit issuance. The standard pit system is the most common type; high water tables or poor soils may call for a shallow leach field or a deep trench.

Any well built in the county needs an EMD permit before construction starts (Sacramento County Code Chapter 6.28), and EMD’s Well Program also approves plot plans during building permit issuance.

How to get a building permit in Sacramento County

A building permit carries a validity period and can expire if work does not start or stalls between inspections; confirm the expiry with the County Building Permits & Inspection Division on phased or delayed work. Permit validity in California

Inspections in Sacramento County

Inspections can be scheduled online at aca-prod.accela.com/SACCO, through the IVR at (916) 875-5296 (press 1), or by text to (855) 280-5383. Have the permit number and the inspection code ready.

Appeals in Sacramento County

The Building Board of Appeals has seven members, not counting the Building Official. An appeal is made to the Building Official in writing and is not processed without the $500.00 filing fee.

Building permits in the City of Sacramento

Inside the City of Sacramento, permits come from the Community Development Department’s Building Division. Its Public Counter, 300 Richards Boulevard, 3rd Floor, Sacramento, CA 95811 ((916) 808-5318), is open Mondays and Fridays 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. by appointment only and Tuesday – Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. with appointments prioritized. Paper plans are not accepted.

City inspections can be requested 24 hours a day online or through the IVRS at (916) 808-7622. Requests made before 6:00 p.m. are scheduled for the next work day; later or weekend requests go two working days out.

Official Sacramento County permitting resources

These are the primary sources behind this guide. Codes, fee schedules and procedures change — confirm the position for your filing date.

• Sacramento County Building Permits & Inspection
• Building Permits & Inspection contacts
• Scheduling inspections
• Building permit FAQs
• Building Board of Appeals
• SIPS encroachment permits
• EMD Liquid Waste Program
• EMD Well Program
• City of Sacramento Building appointments

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit to replace windows in unincorporated Sacramento County?

Yes. The County has required a permit for window replacement, retrofit or cut-in, and for door replacement since January 1, 2010.

Can I text to book a Sacramento County inspection?

Yes. Text (855) 280-5383 with the permit number and inspection code, or use the portal or the IVR at (916) 875-5296.

Where is the Building Assistance Center now?

At 9800 Goethe Road, Sacramento, CA 95827. The Downtown counter at 827 7th Street, Room 102 is also open 8:30 to 4:00 Monday-Friday.

Simplify Sacramento County permitting with Alliance Permitting

• Check whether the parcel is in a city or on county land, and which county offices beyond Building must sign off
• Line up septic, well, encroachment and fire approvals so they do not hold up the building permit
• File in the county portal, track review rounds and book inspections against the county’s cut-off times

Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company in California. We prepare your paperwork, file it correctly and coordinate with the permitting authority through issuance. We are not a contractor and we do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your licensed team and the jurisdiction.

This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Sacramento County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.