Rancho Cordova HOA Guide: Local Rules for Boards and Owners

We found no short-term rental permit chapter in the municipal code, so the hotel tax rules are the ones we can point to. Chapter 3.08 sets a 12 percent transient occupancy tax on stays of 30 days or less, and section 3.08.060 requires a business license and a tax registration before renting to transients. The city’s ADU handout says an ADU can only be rented for longer than 30 days. Confirm with Planning before telling an owner hosting is allowed. Civil Code 4741 lets an association prohibit rentals of 30 days or less.

Every residential rental property in the city must be registered, and the city says owners register annually. Section 16.20.1215 requires it. The only exemption we found, in section 16.20.1210, covers new buildings for five years. Neither the code nor the city’s program page mentions condominiums, so ask Neighborhood Services about rented condominiums. The city lists a $70 fee per registration, a figure dated July 1, 2020, and may inspect units for health and safety. This is the owner’s duty.

The city allows one ADU plus one junior ADU on a single-family lot under section 23.901.060. ADUs are capped at 850 square feet with one bedroom or 1,000 with more, and detached ADUs need 4-foot side and rear setbacks. Civil Code 4751 stops CC&Rs from prohibiting or unreasonably restricting ADUs on single-family lots.

On public streets, no vehicle may stay parked for 72 consecutive hours (section 10.24.070). Motor homes and boat trailers have the same limit in residential districts, and moving one less than 300 feet does not reset the clock. Section 10.24.075 bars commercial and oversized vehicles from city streets, with exceptions such as loading, and a detached trailer counts as one regardless of size. On residential lots, section 16.18.1703 requires RVs and trailers to be stored with awnings and sliders closed, four feet from the back of curb. Private streets are the association’s job.

Three providers serve the city, and all publish the same days: odd addresses on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, even addresses on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Golden State Water and the Sacramento County Water Agency point to overnight watering, ending at 8 a.m. California American Water recommends before 9 a.m. or after 8 p.m. and lists turf rebates starting at $2 per square foot, with approval required before work starts. Under AB 1572, HOA common areas may not use potable water on nonfunctional turf from January 1, 2029. Civil Code 4735 bars banning low-water plants or artificial turf.

A city tree permit is needed to remove or heavily trim a protected tree, including on HOA common area. Chapter 19.12 protects native oaks with a trunk of 6 inches or more, other trees of 24 inches or more on residential property, and any tree planted as a condition of development. Major trimming means removing 10 percent or more of the canopy, or cutting roots or branches over two inches in diameter. Apply to Public Works with an arborist’s statement.

Owners must clear dry grass and brush at least 30 feet from structures, combustible fences and vehicles (section 17.12.060). Grass over eight inches is a violation, and a notice gives at least 15 days before the city can clear the lot and lien the cost. The fire district’s own standard is 6 inches, so use the stricter figure. The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District inspects from May through November.

Construction noise is not allowed between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. on weekdays, or between 8 p.m. and 7 a.m. on weekends (section 6.68.090). Property maintenance is allowed from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends.