Frequently Asked Questions

Q.  What types of residential structural  improvements require a permit?

Info:  Contact the Community Development Dept.

Phone:  (916) 617-4645

Email:   

Q.  If i want to host a party or special event, do I need special     permission?

Info:  Contact the Finance Department or visit their web page Special Events

Special Events, as defined by Section 12.08.101 of the Municipal     Code defines a special event as that which will be attended by 50 people or more.

Phone:  (916) 617-4589

Email: 

Q.  Can I use the Civic Center for a private event?

Info:  Contact the Parks & Recreation Dept. or visit their web page Galleria

The West Sacramento Civic Center offers the perfect ambiance in a  contemporary state-of-the-art location that will make a lasting impression for any event:  weddings and receptions, cocktail parties, fund raisers, holiday gatherings, luncheons, seminars, conferences, trade shows and much, much, more.  Our Galleria also accomodates business events with convenient partitions that can convert the area into 1 or 2 rooms.

Phone:  (916) 617-4620

Email:  parks&communityservicesdepartment@ci.west-sacramento.ca.us

Q.  May I operate a business in my house or apartment?

Info:  Contact the Finance Dept. or visit their web page Business License

Phone:  (916) 617-4575

Email: 

Q.  How do I report a streetlight or traffic signal problem?

Info:  To report a streetlight problem, contact the Parks & Recreation     Dept.or go their web page and complete the request online  Street Lights   A service request will be generated.  You will be asked for specifics such as pole number, location, exact nature of problem.

To report a traffic signal light out contact the Public Works Dept.  A service reqeust will be generated.  You will be asked for specifics such as location, direction of travel, etc.  After normal business hours, call the Police Department.

Phone:  Finance-(916) 617-4620, Public Works-(916) 617-4850, Police-   (916) 375-6474

Q.  Who should I call if I find a lost dog or cat?

Info:  Contact Animal Control/Animal Shelter in Yolo County.

Phone:  (916) 375-6492

Q.  Does the Fire Dept. rescue cats from trees?

Info:  Contact Animal Control/animal Shelter in Yolo County.

We are called to assist the public with many different situations.  These include but are not restricted to assisting with flooding, helping the elderly or infirm back into bed, and investigating unusual situations (electrical/smoke/possible hazardous conditions).  We typically do not rescue cats from trees.

Phone:  (916) 375-6492

Q.  If I hear a dog barking excessivley, how do I report it?

Info:  Contact Animal Control/Animal Shelter in Yolo County.

Phone:  (916) 375-6492

Q.  If there is broken glass in my street, how can I get it cleaned up?

Info:  Contact Public Works: Utilities & Street Maintenance.

Phone:  (916) 617-4850

Q.  How do I go about having graffiti removed?

Info:  Contact the Police Department

If you witness the graffiti is in progress, call our non-emergency , otherwise our graffiti tip hotline.

Phone:  Non-emergency (916) 374-6474.  Hotline (916) 372-2461 x 594

Q.  There's an abandoned car near my residence - how do I go about having it towed?

Info:  Contact Code Enforcement; traffic division or visit their web page for more information Code Enforcement   

A person may call the Traffice Enforcement Division to report an on-street abandoned vehicle.  An officer from the Parking Enforcement Unit will be dispatched and will issue a 72-hour notice to move the vehicle.  The officer will return after the 72-hour period, and if the vehicle has not been moved; the officer may remove and store the vehicle.

Phone:  (916) 372-2461 x 250

Q.  Who do I call about illegal camping?

Info:  Contact Code Enforcement or visit their web page Code Enforcement

Phone:  (916) 372-2461 x 291

Q.  My neighbor's tree is hanging over my house: who is responsible for cutting it back?

Info:  Contact the Community Development Department for issues relating to right-of-way.

Phone:  (916) 617-4645

Q.  I just moved to West Sacramento, how do I start my trash pick-up and utility service?

Info:  Contact the Finance Department or visit their web page Utility

You can also stop by City Hall at 1110 West Capitol Ave or email to

We will need the following information:  Your name, service address, billing address, work and home phone numbers, driver's license number and the close of escrow date.  For existing homes, a copy of the grant deed or closing statement will be required.

Phone:  (916) 617-4589

Q.  Where do I get current telephone numbers for City Departments and services? 

Info:  For all city-wide telephone numbers, a "City Services Guide" is available at the Civic Center or online at City Services Guide  

Phone:  (916) 617-4500

Q.  How do I apply for a job with the City of West Sacramento?

Info:  Contact Human Resources or visit their web page  City Employment   

Phone:  (916) 617-4500 or the job line at (916) 617-4525

Q.  How do I go about contacting the Mayor?

Info:  Call the City Manager's Office or visit our website at City Council  for contact information.

Phone:  (916) 617-4500

Q.  How do I file a claim against the City?

Info:  Contact the City Manager's Office or visit our website Risk Management 

Claims filed against the City of West Sacramento are initially reviewed by the City Manager's Office.  Whatever investigation is necessary to determine if the City has any liability will be initiated upon receipt.  Such investigation may entail referring the claim to a third party claims adjuster.  The City has 45 days by law to respond.  Any claim that cannot be settled for less than $5,000 will be sent to the City's claims adjuster for handling.

Phone:  (916) 617-4500

Q.   How do I address the Council?

Info:  Contact the City Manager's Office or visit our website City Council 

The West Sacramento City Council holds regular meetings on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Wednesday of every month beginning at 7:00 p.m.  You can veiw the calendar of events online to see when the next City Council meeting is scheduled.  City Council meetings are held at the following location:  City of West Sacramento, Civic Center, 1110 West Capitol Avenue, 2nd Floor, West Sacramento, CA 95691.

Phone:  (916) 617-4500

Q.  How do I register to vote?

Info:  Visit Voter registration

Voter registration forms are available at several locations in West Sacramento, including:

           City Hall, 1110 West Capitol Avenue

           Turner Branch Library, 1212 Merkley Avenue

           United States Post Office, Merkley Avenue and Industrial Blvd.

Phone:  For more info call the Yolo County Clerk's Office, 625 Court Street, Woodland, CA at (530) 666-8133.

Q.  How can I serve on a commission?

Info:  Contact the City Manager's Office; City Clerk or visit our website Boards & Commissions

Phone:  (916) 617-4500

Q.  I am homeless; I need assistance.

Info:  West Sacramento has many resources for helping those who need assistance in a variety of ways.  Contact The Resource Center at 9916) 372-8980 or the Broderick Christian Center at (916) 372-0200.  For help in finding affordable housing, call the West Sac. Housing Development Corp. at (916) 372-4250 or Yolo County Housing Authority (section 8) at (800) 662-9656.

Phone:  Form more information, contact the City Manager's Office at (916) 617-4500.

Q.  How do I make a complaint against the Police Dept.?

Info:  Contact the Police Department or visit their web page How to File a Commendation or Complaint

It is the policy of the West Sacramento Police Department to investigate all complaints against the department or its employees.  This ensures the integrity of the department while protecting the rights and interests of both citizens and department employees.

Phone:  (916) 372-2461

Q.  I need directions to the civic Center.

Info:  Contact our city offices for address information or go to our web page City Map

Q.  How do I get a passport?

Info:  Contact the U.S. State Dept. Passport_services

Q.  Where do I obtain a marriage license, birth and death certificates?

Info:  Marriage licenses are issued at the Yolo County Clerk's Office at 625 Court Street in Woodland, CA.  Vital Records

Phone:  For more information, contact Yolo County Clerk's Office at (530) 666-8130

Q.  Where is the Yolo County Central Landfill?

Info:  The Yolo County Central Landfill is located at 44090 Counrty Road 28H, northwest of Davis.  A map to the landfill is located at Yolo County Central Landfill

Phone:  Yolo County; (530) 666-8729

Q.  Who do I call if the sidewalk in front of my house needs repair?

Info:  Contact the Public Works Dept.

If a trip hazard exists on your sidewalk (defined as adjacent concrete slabs having a difference in elevation of 3/4 of an inch or more), financial assistance is available through the city's Public Works Dept.  This program was developed to provide some assistance to property owners in their responsibility to maintain safe sidewalk.

Phone:  (916) 617-4850