Partner Agencies
The Business Environmental Resource Center (BERC) recognizes the contribution of our partners who support the BERC mission. Their support is crucial to providing continued business assistance, enhancing environmental quality and celebrating voluntary sustainable practices through the Sustainable Business program
Any owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by this code, or to cause any such work to be done, shall first make application to the building official and obtain the required permit. Visit Building Permits and Inspection for more information.
The Sacramento County Airport System is owned and operated by the County of Sacramento. As an enterprise operation that is not supported by the Sacramento County general fund (local tax dollars), it must fund itself with the revenues it generates. For 2024 contract opportunities, visit SMForward | Tomorrow's Airport. Now Arriving. (sacramento.aero).
DWMR regulates commercial solid waste collection services and recycling requirements for businesses and commercial properties located in the unincorporated areas of Sacramento County. DWMR does not provide commercial waste and recycling collection services. Contact DWMR's local franchised waste haulers to sign up for commercial waste, recycling, and organics collection services. Visit Waste Management and Recycling for more information.
Businesses in the following industries may be subject to Environmental Management Department permitting. Environmental Management Department consists of two (2) primary divisions:
- Environmental Health, including the Retail Food, Public Pool & Spa (Recreational Health), Plan Review, Tobacco Education, Employee Housing, Detention Facilities, Noise Control, Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention and Waste Tire programs.
- Environmental Compliance, including the Regulatory Compliance/CUPA and Solid Waste programs, Storm Water Compliance, Small Water Systems, Cross-Connection, Septic Systems (Liquid Waste), Medical Waste, Wells, Business Recycling and Multi-Family Recycling, and the Site Assessment & Mitigation program.
The Office of Planning and Environmental Review (PER) provides a range of land use planning services that includes:
- Accepting and processing land use development applications
- Assessing environmental impacts and preparing environmental documents
- Monitoring mitigation actions
- Oversight of Countywide policy and standards through the General Plan and Zoning Code maintenance and updating.
Prior to applying for a business license it is recommended to verify the activity is approved with planning and zoning. Visit Planning & Environmental Review for more information.
Sacramento Area Sewer District provides service to residential, commercial, and industrial customers throughout unincorporated Sacramento County; the cities of Citrus Heights, Elk Grove, Folsom, Rancho Cordova, Sacramento, and West Sacramento; and the communities of Courtland, Locke, and Walnut Grove.
For commercial permitting, impact fees and plan check, visit the Sacramento Area Sewer District Website.
Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District was created under Health and Safety Code Sections 40960 et. seq. to monitor, promote, and improve air quality in the County of Sacramento. Businesses whose operations may affect air quality may be subject to permitting. Visit https://www.airquality.org/ for more information.
SMUD offers contracting opportunities to small businesses. The SEED program offers incentives to local small businesses that participate in SMUD's competitive bid process. It also helps prime contractors find local sub-contractors, which gives their bids or proposals a competitive edge. SMUD awards $200-$300 million in contracts every year, $40-$60 million of which goes to SEED vendors and suppliers. SMUD's goal is to award 20% or more of all eligible contracts to SEED vendors. Visit links attached to learn more:
SMUD offers a wide variety of incentives to encourage investment in energy efficiency. Visit Business Rebates (smud.org). If you're a business owner, operator or tenant, your dedicated SMUD Strategic Account Advisor is your personal energy expert available to help you save time, energy and money. Find my advisor (smud.org).
Businesses plan an important role in keeping waterways clean. It is important to remember the storm drain system is different from the sanitary sewer system. When rainfall comes in contact with pollutants, those pollutants can be washed into the storm drain system and end up in waterways. Learn more about business industry best practices for storm drain protection visit www.beriverfriendly.net.