Permits & licenses
Sacramento County Business License: Who Needs One and How to Apply
Running a business in unincorporated Sacramento County? Learn who needs a county General or Special Business License, the 2026 fees, and how to apply.
Last reviewed October 20, 2026 · 7 min read
On this page
"Unincorporated" means the area is not inside any city. The county runs local services there. Many well-known communities fall in this group, such as Carmichael, Fair Oaks, Arden-Arcade, North Highlands, Orangevale, and Rio Linda.
Who needs a county business license?
The county says it regulates businesses with a physical location in the unincorporated area. That means not inside the cities of Sacramento, Folsom, Isleton, Galt, Citrus Heights, Elk Grove, or Rancho Cordova. It says businesses based in commercial spaces or homes need a General Business License. Mobile and internet businesses count as based at your home.
The county also notes the license "is not a business tax and is not based on business revenue."
What is a Special Business License?
Certain activities need a Special Business License if done in the unincorporated area, even if your business is based somewhere else. The county's list includes, but is not limited to:
Home repair, landscaping, and cleaning services
Mobile businesses like mobile auto repair, car washing or detailing, and mobile food vendors
Buying or selling secondhand items, antiques, used auto parts, or metal
Taxi, towing, massage, rubbish hauling, and some others
Special licenses and employee permits need fingerprinting through the Sheriff's Department. The county lists a one-time cost of $32 for the business owner and $74 for partners, spouses, or other owners on the license.
What you'll need
The physical address of your main place of business (no P.O. boxes or PMBs)
Your business name and owner details
A clear description of what your business does
A fictitious business name filing, if you use a name other than your own (see our DBA guide)
A zoning check (recommended before you pay)
How do I apply, step by step?
Confirm you are in the unincorporated area. If you can't tell, the county asks you to contact its office.
Check zoning first. The county encourages you to email Planning and Environmental Review at SacPlan@saccounty.gov to confirm your activity is allowed at that site before you apply and pay.
Pick how to apply. Apply online through the county's online business license system, in person, or by mail. Online payments carry a convenience fee.
Fill out every section. The county says any blank line or unanswered question will cause the application to be rejected.
Pay the fee. In person, the county takes cash, check, money order, or card. By mail, send a check or money order payable to Sacramento County.
Track your application. If you apply online, you can track it and get email updates.
Office: 700 H Street, Room 1710, Sacramento, CA 95814. Phone (916) 874-6644. Email FinanceOBLA@saccounty.gov. The county lists office hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with the last customer taken at 4:30 p.m. (its online application page lists the public counter as open until 4:45 p.m., so call ahead if you are cutting it close).
What does it cost?
License (fees include the $4 state fee)General Business License
New$262.60
Renewal$124.30 home-based / $252.48 commercial
Valid for3 years
License (fees include the $4 state fee)Special Business License
New$237.87
Renewal$231.11
Valid for1 year
License (fees include the $4 state fee)Stand-alone employee permit
New$221.00
Renewal$221.00
Valid for1 year
License (fees include the $4 state fee)Late renewal fee
New—
Renewal$18.00
Valid for—
| License (fees include the $4 state fee) | New | Renewal | Valid for |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Business License | $262.60 | $124.30 home-based / $252.48 commercial | 3 years |
| Special Business License | $237.87 | $231.11 | 1 year |
| Stand-alone employee permit | $221.00 | $221.00 | 1 year |
| Late renewal fee | — | $18.00 | — |
The county sets fees each July. Check the current fee sheet before you pay.
How long does it take?
The county does not post a set processing time for general licenses. Your timeline depends on how complete your application is and whether zoning review raises questions. Special licenses take longer because of fingerprinting. Apply a few weeks before you plan to open.
What other permits might I need?
A county license is only one piece. You may also need:
A seller's permit from CDTFA if you sell goods
A health permit from County EMD for food
A fictitious business name filing
Building or sign permits for a storefront
Already open in the county and want more customers? We'll look at the site with you on a free website check.
This is general information, not legal or tax advice. Fees and rules change, so please check the linked official pages before you file or pay.
Questions people ask
Do I need a Sacramento County business license if I live in the City of Sacramento?
Not a county general license. The county general license covers businesses based in the unincorporated area. The county lists the incorporated cities of Sacramento, Folsom, Isleton, Galt, Citrus Heights, Elk Grove, and Rancho Cordova as outside it. Those cities have their own rules.
How much is a Sacramento County general business license?
As of July 1, 2026, a new General Business License is $262.60 and is valid for 3 years. Renewal is $124.30 for home-based businesses or $252.48 for commercial locations. These include the $4 state fee.
Does a home-based or online business need a county license?
Yes, if it is based in the unincorporated area. The county says businesses based in commercial locations or homes need a General Business License, and that mobile or internet-based businesses are treated as based at home.
Can I use a P.O. box as my business address?
No. The county says you need the actual physical location of your primary place of business. Post office boxes and PMBs are not allowed as business locations.
What happens if I renew late?
The county adds an $18 late fee to renewals received after the expiration date. If a license has been expired more than 90 days, it is closed and you must apply again as new.
We walk Sacramento founders through the filings people usually miss.
See the Launch AuditWords to know
Unincorporated area: Land in the county that isn't inside any city's limits.
Zoning: Local rules about what kinds of businesses can operate at each address.
Fingerprinting: A background check some license types require.
DBA: "Doing business as." A business name that is different from your legal name. In California the official term is fictitious business name.
Seller's permit: A free state permit you need to sell goods in California and collect sales tax.
Sources
- Business Licensing & Fictitious Business Name Statements - Sacramento County Department of Finance · finance.saccounty.gov
- Business Licensing FAQs - Sacramento County · finance.saccounty.gov
- Online Business License Application and Renewal - Sacramento County · finance.saccounty.gov
- Business Licensing fee schedule effective 07.01.26 - Sacramento County · finance.saccounty.gov
This is general information for Sacramento and Northern California businesses. We are not attorneys or tax advisors, and this is not legal or tax advice. Check the official sources, and a local pro, before you act.