Sutter County · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Sutter County

Sutter County's code applies only in unincorporated areas. It sets its own limits on accessory buildings and on home offices and home occupations.

Ask about building on your lot in Sutter County See coverage

Key points

Rear-yard coverage: In unincorporated Sutter County, accessory buildings in a required rear yard may cover at most 50% of it, up to 1,000 square feet.
Home businesses: Sutter County allows no employees for a home office, no outside employees for a minor home occupation, and one for a major one.

Each rule below is marked Sutter County code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

Sutter County's code applies in the unincorporated areas of the county. Cities in Sutter County have their own codes and their own pages.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Sutter County code What Sutter County's code adds
Size or lot coverage	No more than 50% of the required rear yard area, up to 1,000 square feet of total floor area. Applies: All accessory buildings or structures in a required rear yard, combined. § 1500-10-030 · code text Accessory buildings or structures located within a required rear yard shall cumulatively occupy no more than 50 percent of the required rear yard area, up to a maximum of 1,000 square feet in total floor area.
Side and rear setback	At least 3 feet from any interior side or rear property line. Applies: Accessory buildings up to 15 feet tall, more than 70 feet from the street at the front yard. § 1500-10-030 · code text Accessory buildings or structures not exceeding 15 feet in height and located more than 70 feet from the street corresponding to the designated front yard, shall maintain a minimum setback of 3 feet from any interior side or rear property line. At least 6 feet from any interior side or rear property line. Applies: Accessory buildings up to 15 feet tall, less than 70 feet from the street at the front yard. § 1500-10-030 · code text For such structures located less than 70 feet from the street corresponding to the designated front yard, a minimum setback of 6 feet shall be maintained from any interior side or rear property line.

Running a business from home

Sutter County code What Sutter County's code adds
Customer visits	No client visits. Applies: Home offices. § 1500-12-010 · code text Home offices do not involve client visits or employees and deliveries would be no more than what is typical of a residential use.
Employees	No employees. Applies: Home offices. § 1500-12-010 · code text Home offices do not involve client visits or employees and deliveries would be no more than what is typical of a residential use. No outside employees. Applies: Minor home businesses. § 1500-12-010 · code text A business that includes no outside employees and limited client visits. Up to 1 outside employee. Applies: Major home businesses. § 1500-12-010 · code text A business that may include one outside employee and more extensive client visits.

Solar panels and EV chargers

Sutter County code What Sutter County's code adds
EV charger permit	Electronic submittal is available. Applies: Applies to all EV charging station permit applications. § 1325-040 · code text Electronic submittal of the required permit application and supporting documents shall be made available for all electric vehicle charging station permit applications. The County issues a building permit when the application meets the checklist and chapter, is complete, and fees are paid. Applies: Applies to EV charging station applications eligible for expedited permits. § 1325-050 · code text The County shall issue a building permit for an electric vehicle charging station upon completion of the following: Allowed as a permitted or accessory use, with no design review. § 1325-040 · code text The establishment of electric vehicle charging stations shall be determined to be a "permitted" or "accessory use" consistent with the Sutter County Zoning Code but shall not be subject to design review.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How big can a shed or accessory building be in Sutter County?

In unincorporated Sutter County, accessory buildings in a required rear yard may cover at most 50% of it, up to 1,000 square feet.

Can I run a business from my home in Sutter County?

Sutter County allows no employees for a home office, no outside employees for a minor home occupation, and one for a major one.

Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in Sutter County?

Sutter County's code: Electronic submittal is available. (Applies to all EV charging station permit applications.) (§ 1325-040); The County issues a building permit when the application meets the checklist and chapter, is complete, and fees are paid. (Applies to EV charging station applications eligible for expedited permits.) (§ 1325-050).

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific Sutter County property

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More on Sutter County

Sutter County Municipal Code — full text

Renting & eviction in Sutter County

Buying & selling in Sutter County

Sutter County overview