Can I Build Tiny Home in Sacramento, CA? (2026)
Find out if you can build a tiny home in Sacramento, CA. Rules, permit requirements, costs, and next steps.
Tiny homes on permanent foundations are allowed in Sacramento, CA. Tiny homes on wheels are not permitted as permanent dwellings.
A tiny home is a small dwelling unit — typically under 400 sq ft — that can be built on a permanent foundation or on wheels. In Sacramento, CA, the rules differ significantly depending on whether the structure is on a permanent foundation (treated as a dwelling unit under building code) or on wheels (treated as a recreational vehicle under vehicle code). Tiny homes on permanent foundations must meet a minimum size of 150 sq ft in Sacramento.
Tiny Home Rules in Sacramento
Tiny Home Rules in Sacramento: Foundation-based tiny homes: Permitted. Tiny homes on wheels (THOWs): Not permitted as permanent dwelling — classified as recreational vehicle. Minimum size: 150 sq ft. Tiny homes on permanent foundations must meet California Residential Code minimum habitable space standards (70 sqft per habitable room). Sacramento allows small ADUs functioning as tiny homes if they meet zoning and building code requirements. Tiny homes on wheels (THOWs) not permitted as permanent dwellings in residential zones. Sacramento has explored tiny home villages for unhoused populations on city-owned land.
Costs & Fees
Building permit fees for tiny homes in Sacramento follow the same schedule as other new construction. Contact the Sacramento Community Development Department — Building Division at (916) 808-8300 for current fee information.
Next Steps
Next steps for building a tiny home in Sacramento: 1. Determine foundation vs. wheeled — the rules are fundamentally different. 2. For foundation tiny homes, obtain a building permit from the Sacramento Community Development Department — Building Division. 3. For wheeled tiny homes, verify whether your property allows RV siting. 4. Check if your tiny home could qualify as an ADU on your property.
Sacramento Community Development Department — Building Division
Phone: (916) 808-8300
Website: https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/community-development/building
Online Permits: https://aca.accela.com/sacramento/
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I build an ADU in Sacramento?
Yes. California state law requires Sacramento to permit ADUs by-right on all residential lots. You can build a detached ADU up to 1,200 sqft, a garage conversion ADU, or a Junior ADU (JADU) up to 500 sqft within your existing home. No owner-occupancy requirement applies. Sacramento has lower ADU permit fees than Bay Area cities — typically $2,000–$7,500 total. Permits process within 60 days.
What are Sacramento's short-term rental (Airbnb) rules?
Sacramento requires a Short-Term Rental Permit ($200/year) for all rentals under 30 days. Your property must be your primary residence. The city's Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) at 12% applies to all short-term rental revenue. Airbnb collects and remits TOT for qualifying hosts. Operating without a permit carries fines. Register with Sacramento Finance Department.
Does Sacramento use SMUD or PG&E for electricity?
Sacramento is served by SMUD (Sacramento Municipal Utility District), a publicly-owned electric utility — not PG&E. This matters for solar: SMUD's net metering program is generally more favorable than PG&E's NEM 3.0 program. SMUD also offers periodic solar incentive programs and rebates. Solar permit coordination goes through Sacramento CDD, but interconnection is with SMUD.
What zoning covers single-family homes in Sacramento?
Sacramento's primary single-family zones are R-1, R-1A, and R-1B. R-1 requires standard setbacks (20 ft front, 5 ft sides, 15 ft rear). R-1A allows smaller lots with reduced setbacks (15 ft front, 3 ft sides). R-1B is the most urban infill-friendly single-family zone (10 ft front, 3 ft sides). All three allow one ADU plus one JADU per state law.
Is Sacramento a flood risk area?
Parts of Sacramento have significant flood risk due to its location at the confluence of the American and Sacramento Rivers. The Natomas Basin (north of downtown) historically had 100-year flood risk and has been upgraded to 200-year protection. Portions of Sacramento near both rivers remain in FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas. Check FEMA's Flood Map Service Center (msc.fema.gov) for your specific parcel's flood zone designation before purchasing or building.
Do I need a permit to run a home business in Sacramento?
Yes. A Home Occupation Permit ($125) is required in Sacramento for any business operated from a residence. Restrictions apply: no clients on-site, no non-resident employees, no exterior signs. Business use must be incidental to residential use. Sacramento City Code Section 17.228.200 governs home occupations.
Are solar panels required on new homes in Sacramento?
Yes. California's Title 24 Energy Code requires solar PV on all new low-rise residential construction. Sacramento's extreme summer heat (regularly above 100°F) makes solar especially cost-effective. SMUD's favorable net metering program enhances solar economics. Sacramento has 265+ sunny days per year. New construction solar systems must meet Title 24 minimum sizing requirements.
Source: Sacramento Community Development Department — Building Division — Building Regulations. Last verified April 5, 2026. View source