Home Page
mail Contact Us
notifications About Our New Website
Menu Close
City of Sacramento
Main Menu Close Menu
mail Contact
Search Close
Translate

Use the menus above to navigate by City Departments or Categories.

You can also use the Search function below to find specific content on our site.

Department
Community Development
Department
Community Response
Department
Convention and Cultural Services
Department
Finance
Department
Fire Department
Department
Human Resources
Department
Information Technology
Department
Mayor and Council
Department
Office of Public Safety Accountability
Department
Office of the City Attorney
Department
Office of the City Auditor
Department
Office of the City Clerk
Department
Office of the City Manager
Department
Office of the City Treasurer
Department
Police Department
Department
Public Works
Department
Utilities
Department
Youth, Parks, & Community Enrichment
Category
hiking Activities
Arts & Culture
Camps
Classes & Group Activities
Community Centers
Events & Entertainment
Sports
Swimming
Category
pets Animals & Pets
Animals & Pets
Category
domain_add Building & Planning
Construction
Inspections
Planning
Property Lines & Surveying
Zoning
Category
store Business
Business
Cannabis
Economic Development
Innovation
Suppliers & Vendors
Category
account_tree City Administration
Accountability & Oversight
Boards & Commissions
City Attorney
City Manager
City Structure & Policies
Customer Service
Elections
Mayor & City Council
Transparency
Category
category City Assets & Data
City Buildings & Property
City Vehicles
Records
Transparency
Category
explore City Regions
Council Districts
Neighborhoods
Property Lines & Surveying
Zoning
Category
diversity_4 Community Support
Accessibility
Community Centers
Community Engagement
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Homelessness
Housing
Older Adults
Volunteering
Youth
Category
theater_comedy Culture & History
Arts & Culture
Events & Entertainment
Sacramento History
Category
business_center Employment
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Employees & Retirees
Employment
Volunteering
Workforce Development
Category
directions Infrastructure
Bridges
Drinking Water
Information Technology
Infrastructure Finance
Stormwater & Flooding
Streets & Roads
Trails
Wastewater & Sewer
Category
gavel Law, Code & Compliance
Code Enforcement
Inspections
Law & Code
Permits
Category
payments Money
Accounting
City Budget
Claims, Rebates & Discounts
Debt Management
Economic Development
Grants
Infrastructure Finance
Investment & Cash Management
Payments & Fees
Taxes
Category
park Outdoors & Sustainability
Bicycles
Boating
Camps
Climate & Sustainability
Parks
Scooters
Sports
Swimming
Trails
Trees
Weather
Category
local_police Safety
Alternative Response
Crime
Emergency Management
Emergency Response
Fire
Inspections
Police Department
Prevention & Personal Safety
Stormwater & Flooding
Weather
Category
directions_car Transportation
Bicycles
Boating
Driving
Electric Vehicles
Parking
Public Transportation
Scooters
Traffic
Walking
Category
delete_sweep Utility Services
Drinking Water
Recycling
Trash
Wastewater & Sewer
Back to categories Back to Departments

Search for content

Search
Use the search box at the top to perform your search.
Building Programs

Small Business Liaison

Opening a small business can be a significant undertaking. To assist you in navigating the process, the following provides an overview of the steps required to obtain a building permit and complete construction within the City of Sacramento.

Step 1: Before signing a lease

Before committing to a lease, we recommend the following steps to ensure your proposed business location is suitable for your business needs:

Use the New Tenant Guidance Worksheet

Contact Planning department

Email Planning and include:

Note: If your business involves the sale of alcohol, Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) requirements may apply.

Accessibility requirements

  • Accessibility upgrades are required with each permit until the building meets full compliance
  • Ask property owner about recent tenant improvements
  • Ask property owner if they have a Certified Access Specialist (CASp) report

Step 2: Determine if Planning Entitlement is required

Some projects require additional review by the Planning Division to ensure compliance with zoning and design standards.

Common scenarios requiring Planning review

Below are some instances that would require Planning review.

Exterior modifications

  • Changes to the building’s exterior (e.g., façade remodels, new windows, doors, fencing, or parking improvements) may require a Site Plan and Design Review
  • Minor changes may be reviewed at staff level or exempt from review

Learn more about Site Plan and Design Review

Alcohol sales

  • Off-site consumption: requires a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) from the Planning and Design Commission
  • On-site consumption: a CUP is required only for bars, not restaurants

Historic properties

Projects involving:

  • Designated historic landmarks
  • Properties in historic districts
  • Structures over 50 years old (if demolition is proposed)

Must be reviewed by Historic Preservation staff through a Site Plan and Design Review application.    

Tree removal

Removing a tree on private property or in the public right-of-way requires a tree permit and may involve a public hearing.

Step 3: Before submitting for a Building Permit

Ensure you're ready to begin the building permit process:

Determine permit requirements

Ready to submit?

Once your construction plans are complete and any required Planning Entitlements are approved, you can begin the Building Permit Submittal process.

Forms

Below is a list of forms that may be required for your project.
 

Permit issuance requirements

Building permits may be issued to either the property owner or a licensed contractor.

Before a permit can be issued, several requirements may need to be resolved. Once your plans are approved, City staff will provide a complete, itemized list specific to your project.

Below are common items that may apply:

Sacramento Area Sewer District (SacSewer)

Sewer impact fees

A receipt from the Sacramento Area Sewer District (SacSewer) is required prior to permit issuance. This may include payment of sewer impact fees or confirmation that no fees are due.

  • Contact SacSewer with your permit number(s) to obtain a statement
  • Pay any required fees to SacSewer
  • Email receipt to City staff

Sacramento County Environmental Management Department

Environmental Health Division

Reviews and inspects retail food facilities, public pools and spas, and aquatic features.

View Environmental Health Division requirements

Offsite Improvements & Encroachment Permits

Public Works

If your project includes offsite improvements or work in the public right-of-way, you must complete the Public Works application and approval process before your building permit can be issued.

View more information on Public Works permits

Construction Debris Recycling

Solid Waste

All projects covered by CALGreen and building permits require a C&D Permit, which mandates that 65% of all debris generated during the course of a project be recycled.

View C&D recycling requirements

Air Quality Clearance

Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District

Projects must comply with Rule 902 Asbestos.

Visit Sac Metro Air District for more information on asbestos requirements

School district impact fees

Once plan review is nearly complete, you will receive a School District Certification Form from City staff.

  • Complete Part 1
  • Submit to the appropriate school district for fee payment
  • Return the completed form with proof of payment

View school district contact information

Flood risk

Hold Harmless Agreement

If your project is in a flood zone, a Hold Harmless Agreement must be signed by the property owner and notarized. Documentation may be required to verify ownership (e.g., LLC Statement of Information).

View Flood Zone Construction Requirements for additional information

Request an address

If the current address is to change, you must submit an Address Request form to Addressing before occupancy or submission of tenant improvement plans.

View addressing information and forms

Inspection process overview

At your first inspection, speak with your building inspector about:

  • The full scope of work 
  • Which inspections will be required 

Each inspection must be scheduled separately by discipline:

  • Building 
  • Plumbing 
  • Mechanical 
  • Electrical 
  • Planning 
  • Fire 

Tip: Early coordination with inspectors helps avoid delays and rework.

View building inspection information 

Other City Resources

Building Plan Review

Plan review is the first step of the permitting process

OIED Business Solutions Center

Advice and tailored resources from Office of Innovation & Economic Development

Small Business Guide

11 Key steps to doing business in the City of Sacramento

Al Fresco Dining Program

Explore expanding your restaurant service areas

FAQs

Answers to frequently asked questions about our building services

Shareable URL: www.cityofsacramento.gov/buildingsmallbusiness

ON THIS PAGE