Sacramento County, California · Business and licensing

Check or apply for a business license in Sacramento County

Check local business license or business tax certificate requirements, the right authority and application options.

5 providers · 9 official links (2 online) · 10 reviewed requirements · sources checked October 28, 2026

In Sacramento County, 4 city governments and 1 county department publish 9 official links for this service, 2 of them online. Reviewed requirements cover availability notices (3), eligibility (2), documents (2), processing time (2) and payment methods (1). 1 provider publishes reviewed fee items and 2 providers list forms on their guides.

These are the Sacramento County providers with a reviewed service link for this task. Other offices may also help, and a provider may serve only part of the county: check each service area. Fees and forms stay on each office’s guide, where their sources are cited.

City government

City of Citrus Heights — Business licensing information

City of Citrus Heights

Business license information — City of Citrus HeightsOfficial instructions

The official source lists “Business Licenses”. Follow the issuing provider's instructions for requirements and availability.

Service area: City of Citrus Heights

Source & saved evidence

Citrus Heights municipal government · Citrus Heights — business licensing discovery (opens in a new tab)

Exact named official link (entrance only; linked contents not reviewed)

Business Licenses

Agent source review: October 28, 2026 · Snapshot 13b6ff218aaf088a

Contacts & sources

City government

City of Folsom — Business licensing information

City of Folsom

Business license information — City of FolsomOfficial instructions

The official source lists “Business Licenses”. Follow the issuing provider's instructions for requirements and availability.

Service area: City of Folsom

Source & saved evidence

Folsom municipal government · Folsom — business licensing discovery (opens in a new tab)

Exact named official link (entrance only; linked contents not reviewed)

Business Licenses

Agent source review: October 28, 2026 · Snapshot 76ef21a3cc71970b

Contacts & sources

City government

City of Galt — Business licensing information

City of Galt

Business license information — City of GaltOfficial instructions

The official source lists “Business Licenses”. Follow the issuing provider's instructions for requirements and availability.

Service area: City of Galt

Source & saved evidence

Galt municipal government · Galt — business licensing discovery (opens in a new tab)

Exact named official link (entrance only; linked contents not reviewed)

Business Licenses

Agent source review: October 28, 2026 · Snapshot 88c39d5b46c3051c

Contacts & sources

County government

Finance — Business License Unit

County general, special and tobacco business-license requirementsOfficial instructions

Check the business address and activity. General licenses, special licenses, tobacco retailer licenses and short-term-rental licensing follow different requirements.

Service area: Sacramento County licensing for the specified activities or premises in the unincorporated area; incorporated cities have separate authorities.

Availability · Business-license call center: The county FAQ lists weekday call-center hours of 9 am–4 pm; these are separate from counter intake hours.
Source & saved evidence
Sacramento County · Sacramento — business licensing questions (opens in a new tab)
Reviewed business licensing instructions
Please contact the Business License Unit at (916) 874-6644 (call center hours are 9am to 4pm weekdays), or come to our office during regular business hours.
Agent source review: October 16, 2026 · Snapshot 6d388bb73f4e8a6b
Availability · Business License Unit — public counter: The primary page states the last customer is taken at 4:30 pm. A different FAQ cutoff is unresolved; confirm visiting arrangements before going.
Source & saved evidence
Sacramento County official website · Sacramento County — business licensing discovery (opens in a new tab)
Reviewed business licensing instructions
WE TAKE OUR LAST CUSTOMER AT 4:30P.M.
Agent source review: October 16, 2026 · Snapshot 96510546973e4556

Before you start · 1 requirement & conditions

Eligibility & access · Changes in owner, location or activity: Transfer rules differ between general/tobacco licenses and special licenses/employee permits. Confirm the applicable process with the unit.
Source & saved evidence
Sacramento County · Sacramento — business licensing questions (opens in a new tab)
Reviewed business licensing instructions
General Business Licenses and Tobacco Retailer Licenses may not be transferred to another person, location or type of business. Special Business Licenses and Employee Permits may not be transferred to another person or type of business, but the business location may change.
Agent source review: October 16, 2026 · Snapshot 6d388bb73f4e8a6b

Source & saved evidence

Sacramento County official website · Sacramento County — business licensing discovery (opens in a new tab)

Reviewed business licensing instructions

Sacramento County regulates businesses operating in the areas of the County not located within city limits (the unincorporated area of the County) to promote improved enforcement of ordinances that protect the public and prevent nuisances and neighborhood disturbances.

Agent source review: October 16, 2026 · Snapshot 96510546973e4556

Check the jurisdiction and start a county business-license applicationOfficial instructions

Use the county application gateway to check the address and listed business activities before opening the application.

Service area: County business licensing in unincorporated Sacramento County; check the activity and stated exemptions.

Before you start · 4 requirements & conditions

Eligibility & access: Check the proposed activity with Planning before applying and paying.
Source & saved evidence
Sacramento County · Sacramento — business licensing questions (opens in a new tab)
Reviewed business licensing instructions
All applicants are encouraged to contact the Department of Planning and Environmental Review via email at SacPlan@saccounty.gov to determine if the business activities at the proposed business site are allowed under the current zoning code before submitting an application and paying the fee.
Agent source review: October 16, 2026 · Snapshot 6d388bb73f4e8a6b
Information & documents: Complete every application section to avoid rejection and delay.
Source & saved evidence
Sacramento County · Sacramento — business licensing questions (opens in a new tab)
Reviewed business licensing instructions
All sections of the application must be completed. Any blank line or unanswered question will cause the application to be rejected and will delay the process.
Agent source review: October 16, 2026 · Snapshot 6d388bb73f4e8a6b
Processing time · Completed general-license applications only: The county states up to 45 days after all required information and fees are submitted; special licenses have a separate process.
Source & saved evidence
Sacramento County · Sacramento — business licensing questions (opens in a new tab)
Reviewed business licensing instructions
Review and investigation of a completed license application may take up to 45 days for a General Business License. An application is considered completed when all required information and fees have been submitted.
Agent source review: October 16, 2026 · Snapshot 6d388bb73f4e8a6b
Payments: County review fees are nonrefundable.
Source & saved evidence
Sacramento County · Sacramento — business licensing questions (opens in a new tab)
Reviewed business licensing instructions
No Refunds - Fees are charged to cover the cost of the review process and are not refundable.
Agent source review: October 16, 2026 · Snapshot 6d388bb73f4e8a6b

Source & saved evidence

Sacramento County official website · Sacramento County business-license application options (opens in a new tab)

Reviewed business licensing instructions

Will your business perform these activities in the unincorporated area of Sacramento County?

Agent source review: October 16, 2026 · Snapshot b46bb37cbb9d168f

Short-term-rental permit, business license and tax portalOnline service

Short-term rentals use the separately designated portal. The county does not accept these applications through its ordinary business-license counter, mail or general online application.

Service area: County short-term-rental licensing; confirm the unincorporated-area address and programme requirements.

Availability · Short-term rentals only: Use RentalScape for the STR permit, business license and TOT; the ordinary county application channels do not accept STR license applications.
Source & saved evidence
Sacramento County official website · Sacramento County — business licensing discovery (opens in a new tab)
Reviewed business licensing instructions
Are you interested in operating a Short-Term Rental? Please visit RentalScape to apply for a Permit, Business License, and pay Transient Occupancy Tax. We no longer accept Business License applications in our office, through the mail or the Sacramento County Online Business License application.
Agent source review: October 16, 2026 · Snapshot 96510546973e4556

Source & saved evidence

Sacramento County official website · Sacramento County — business licensing discovery (opens in a new tab)

Reviewed business licensing instructions

Are you interested in operating a Short-Term Rental? Please visit RentalScape to apply for a Permit, Business License, and pay Transient Occupancy Tax. We no longer accept Business License applications in our office, through the mail or the Sacramento County Online Business License application.

Agent source review: October 16, 2026 · Snapshot 96510546973e4556

Contacts & sources · 21 fees published by this office · 2 forms

City government

Sacramento — Finance — Revenue Division Business Operations Tax

City of Sacramento business licensing or tax certificates.

Check city Business Operations Tax requirementsOfficial instructions

The city requires a Business Operations Tax certificate rather than a general business licence. Special business permits and home-occupation approval can still apply.

Service area: City of Sacramento business activity; city programme, not county-wide licensing.

Source & saved evidence

Sacramento government · Sacramento — Business Operations Tax (opens in a new tab)

Reviewed business licensing instructions

The City of Sacramento does not issue a general business license. Sacramento City Code Chapter 3.08 does require all businesses that operate in the City of Sacramento to obtain a Business Operations Tax certificate.

Agent source review: October 16, 2026 · Snapshot a792911f7caa34d3

Apply online for a city Business Operations Tax accountOnline service

Use the city-referred portal or the other application channels in the city instructions. A home business must also submit its Home Occupation Permit application.

Service area: City of Sacramento business activity; city programme, not county-wide licensing.

Before you start · 2 requirements & conditions

Information & documents: Submit the Home Occupation Permit application with the business-tax application when operating from home.
Source & saved evidence
Sacramento government · Sacramento — Business Operations Tax (opens in a new tab)
Reviewed business licensing instructions
The home occupation permit application must be submitted with your business tax application.
Agent source review: October 16, 2026 · Snapshot a792911f7caa34d3
Processing time: The application is routed to Community Development for zoning review before the certificate is mailed.
Source & saved evidence
Sacramento government · Sacramento — Business Operations Tax (opens in a new tab)
Reviewed business licensing instructions
After submission of your business operations tax application, it is routed to the Community Development Department to ensure that the business will be conducted in an appropriately zoned location.
Agent source review: October 16, 2026 · Snapshot a792911f7caa34d3