Sacramento County (unincorporated), CA shed and backyard pod permit exemption

Unincorporated Sacramento County exempts a detached storage structure of 120 sq ft or less with no electrical or plumbing installed. A structure under 9 ft tall may sit on the property line, and one from 9 to 12 ft tall must be 5 ft back. The county's 120 to 200 sq ft tier covers only open or non-storage structures.

Sacramento County (unincorporated) quick facts

Size limit: 120 sq ft or less
Measured as: Floor area, written as “120sf or less”.
Height: Under 9 ft may sit on the property line. From 9 to 12 ft the building must be 5 ft from the property line. Height is measured to the highest part of the roof.
Electrical power: Electrical or plumbing added to an exempt structure requires a miscellaneous permit.
Use: Shall not be used for human habitation.
Source: Sacramento County Building Permits and Inspection, handout GI-20 Residential Accessory Structures
Checked: Nov 5, 2026

Official text

“Detached structure designed for storage, such as a shed, if under 120sf or less and does not have electrical or plumbing installed, would be considered Exempt.”

Source: Sacramento County Building Permits and Inspection, handout GI-20 Residential Accessory Structures.

Other conditions

At least 6 ft from the main house
Not in a maintenance easement or public utility easement
A 120 to 200 sq ft tier exists, but only for structures that are not fully enclosed or not designed for storage, meet fire separation, or shelter animals

Pod sizes compared with the Sacramento County (unincorporated) size limit

13 of 36 pod sizes are within the 120 sq ft limit by floor area. The other 23 are over the limit.

Autonomous MetroPod: 80 sq ft
Autonomous WorkPod: 102 sq ft
Autonomous StudioPod: 105 sq ft
Studio Home Signature 8 x 10 ft: 80 sq ft
Studio Home Signature 8 x 12 ft: 96 sq ft
Studio Home Signature 8 x 14 ft: 112 sq ft
Studio Home Signature 10 x 10 ft: 100 sq ft
Studio Home Signature 10 x 12 ft: 120 sq ft
Studio Home Portland 8 x 12 ft: 96 sq ft
Studio Home Portland 8 x 14 ft: 112 sq ft
Studio Home Portland 10 x 12 ft: 120 sq ft
Kanga Room Systems Modern Kwik Room 10 x 12 ft: 120 sq ft
Kanga Room Systems Cottage Kwik Room 10 x 12 ft: 120 sq ft

Of the pods within the limit, 3 ship pre-wired, all from Autonomous. This rule addresses electrical power, so that condition applies to them.

The building department for the address decides whether a permit is required. This site repeats published rules and compares them with published pod sizes. Zoning rules, HOA rules and setbacks can also apply.