Sacramento County Environmental Management Department

What Sacramento County Environmental Management Department does

Sacramento County Environmental Management Department (EMD) is a county government department within Sacramento County, California, operating under the Sacramento County Department of Health Services. It delivers local, state, and federally mandated environmental health and environmental protection services to the residents of seven incorporated cities — Sacramento, Elk Grove, Rancho Cordova, Folsom, Galt, Citrus Heights, and Isleton — as well as the unincorporated areas of Sacramento County. The department is organized into two divisions: Environmental Health, which covers Retail Food Protection, Recreational Health (pools/spas), Tobacco Retailer, Body Art, Stormwater Compliance, Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention, Noise Control, Plan Review, Employee Housing, and Detention Facility inspections; and Environmental Protection, which administers the Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA), Solid Waste, Medical Waste, Liquid Waste (septic systems), Well Programs, Site Assessment & Mitigation, Cross-Connection Control, and Household Hazardous Waste programs. EMD holds statewide regulatory designations including CUPA (Cal-EPA), Local Primacy Agency (State Water Resources Control Board), and Local Enforcement Agency (CalRecycle), conferring exclusive jurisdictional authority over hazardous materials, underground storage tanks, solid waste facilities, and small water systems.

EMD's underlying technology stack is built around government regulatory compliance platforms: the MyHD Portal for electronic inspection reports and plan review status tracking; the Sacramento County 311 Connect system (phone and online) for complaint intake; integration with the statewide California Environmental Reporting System (CERS) for electronic Hazardous Materials Business Plan submissions; and the Cross-Connection Control Program portal for certified backflow tester registration and test result reporting. Operational scale includes approximately 2,200 public pools/spas inspected annually, roughly 1,000 waste tire businesses with 500 inspections per year, 150 small water systems monitored, and 250 active petroleum release sites under the Local Oversight Program. The department employs a Green-Yellow-Red color-coded placard system for food facility inspection transparency and offers multilingual food safety education in English, Spanish, Cantonese, and Vietnamese.

EMD's revenue model combines regulatory fees, state grants, and inter-agency contracts. Primary revenue streams are annual permit and license fees across regulated facility categories (food establishments, pools/spas, tobacco retailers, body art practitioners, medical waste generators, hazardous materials businesses, storage tanks, septic systems, wells, and solid waste facilities), re-inspection and plan review fees, and CalRecycle state grants funding the Waste Tire Program. Payment processing is provided via PaymentExpress with a 2.29% credit card service fee. The department explicitly does not depend on county general funds for program administration. The planned July 1, 2025 adjustment to Environmental Health Plan Review fees represents targeted revenue optimization while keeping the majority of fees unchanged. Customer base spans regulated businesses, municipal facilities, and county residents, delivered through direct-to-consumer channels including walk-in office, 311 phone, the MyHD portal, the CERS statewide system, and on-site field inspections.

Name

Sacramento County Environmental Management Department

Legal name

Sacramento County Environmental Management Department

Website

https://emd.saccounty.gov

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Sacramento County Environmental Management Department is a county government department providing mandated environmental health and protection regulatory services, including food facility inspections, pool/spa oversight, CUPA hazardous materials regulation, and solid waste enforcement, to businesses and residents across seven incorporated cities and unincorporated areas of Sacramento County.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Regulatory Services

NAICS

Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (9241), Administration of Air and Water Resource and Solid Waste Management Programs (924110), Regulation, Licensing, and Inspection of Miscellaneous Commercial Sectors (92615)

SIC

Hazardous Waste Management (4955), Electric, Gas & Sanitary Services (4900)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYHLAJAFAA

Environmental Protection Agencies & Environmental Health Departments

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Public Health, Government & Regulators/Environmental & Occupational Health Regulators

SECONDARYBPAIAOAM

Environmental Compliance & Enforcement Agencies

Business & Public Services/Public Sector & Government Administration/Regulatory Agencies & Licensing (Cross-sector)

SECONDARYEUAHABAD

Spill Prevention & Release Reporting Compliance (SPCC, FRP, CERCLA/EPCRA Notifications)

Energy, Utilities & Environment/Environmental Compliance, Monitoring & Consulting/Regulatory Compliance & Auditing (Air, Water, Waste)

SECONDARYEUAHABAI

Environmental Enforcement Defense & Consent Order/Settlement Support (NOV Responses, Corrective Action Plans)

Energy, Utilities & Environment/Environmental Compliance, Monitoring & Consulting/Regulatory Compliance & Auditing (Air, Water, Waste)

SECONDARYAFALAEAJ

Sampling Plans, Site Zoning & EMP Program Design Consulting (Zone 1–4)

Agriculture & Food Production/Food Safety, Testing & Certification/Environmental Monitoring & Hygiene Verification (Swabs, ATP, Pathogen Monitoring)

Keywords

• Environmental health regulation
• Hazardous materials compliance
• Food facility inspection
• Waste management permitting
• Public water systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Rancho Cordova

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Permit and License Fees: Annual permit fees for regulated facilities including food establishments, pools/spas, tobacco retailers, body art practitioners, medical waste generators, hazardous materials businesses, underground and aboveground storage tanks, septic systems, wells, and solid waste facilities. Fees vary by facility type, risk level, and services required.
2. Inspection and Plan Review Fees: Fees for re-inspections, plan reviews for new construction/remodeling, and direct site work services. Plan review fees for food facilities and pools/spas effective July 1, 2025 are subject to increases.
3. State Grant Funding: Annual grants from CalRecycle funding the Waste Tire Program, with funds coming from the California Tire fee charged by retailers at new tire purchase.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Sacramento County Environmental Management Department (EMD) is a local government regulatory agency that delivers mandated environmental health and environmental protection services across Sacramento County. EMD issues permits, conducts field inspections, enforces compliance with state and local codes, and provides public education across programs covering food safety, pools and spas, body art, hazardous materials, solid and medical waste, water systems, wells, septic systems, and household hazardous waste. The department operates as the state-designated Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA) for Sacramento County and consolidates six statewide environmental programs under one authority.

Product overview

The Sacramento County Environmental Management Department (EMD) is a government regulatory agency operating within the County of Sacramento, providing mandated environmental health and environmental protection services. The department is organized into two main divisions: Environmental Health and Environmental Protection. Environmental Health programs include Retail Food Protection, Recreational Health (pools/spas), Body Art, Stormwater Compliance, Lead Poisoning Prevention, Tobacco Retailer Program, Noise Control, and Plan Review for food facilities and pools. Environmental Protection programs include CUPA (Certified Unified Program Agency), Solid Waste, Medical Waste, Liquid Waste (septic systems), Well Programs, Site Assessment & Mitigation, Cross-Connection Control, and Household Hazardous Waste. The department operates the MyHD Portal for online inspection reports and plan review tracking, and uses CERS (California Environmental Reporting System) for hazardous materials business plan electronic submissions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Retail Food Protection Program Regulatory enforcement of state and local health codes at all retail food facilities in Sacramento County including restaurants, markets, mobile food vendors, and temporary event booths. Includes permitting, inspections, complaint investigations, foodborne illness investigations, and the Green-Yellow-Red placard display system.
• Recreational Health Program Annual inspections of approximately 2,200 public pools, spas, spray grounds, and water parks throughout Sacramento County including those at hotels, motels, apartment complexes, and multi-family residences. Includes permitting, plan review, and complaint investigation.
• Body Art Program Regulation of tattooing, permanent cosmetics, branding, and piercing practitioners and facilities under the Safe Body Art Act. Requires annual practitioner registration and facility inspection, including temporary body art events and mechanical ear piercing businesses.
• Commercial and Industrial Stormwater Compliance Program Triennial inspections of commercial and industrial businesses throughout Sacramento County to ensure compliance with stormwater discharge requirements and prevent pollutant discharge to storm drainage systems.
• Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPP) Investigation entity for elevated blood lead levels in children, lead hazard complaints, and outreach to local enforcement agencies. Partners with Sacramento County DHS for integrated case management and environmental services.
• Tobacco Retailer Program Annual unannounced inspections of tobacco retailers to ensure compliance with regulations regarding sale of tobacco to minors and enforcement of the flavored tobacco ban effective July 25, 2022.
• Site Assessment and Mitigation Program Regulatory oversight of assessment and remediation of properties with hazardous materials releases to soil and groundwater. Includes Local Oversight Program (LOP) for petroleum underground storage tanks and Local Remediation Program (LRP) for non-petroleum products.
• Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA) Designated by Cal-EPA to implement six statewide environmental programs: Hazardous Waste Management, Tiered Permitting, Tanks (Aboveground and Underground Storage), California Accidental Release Prevention (CalARP), and Hazardous Materials Business Plans.
• Liquid Waste Program Oversight of design, construction, and installation of on-site wastewater treatment systems (septic systems) and wastewater holding tanks. Regulates businesses engaged in cleaning septic tanks and portable toilets.
• Medical Waste Program Permitting and inspection of medical waste generator businesses including dental offices, hospitals, doctors' offices, veterinary clinics, and medical clinics under the Medical Waste Management Act.
• Small Water Systems Program Permitting, inspection, and monitoring of approximately 150 small water systems to ensure delivery of safe, adequate, and dependable potable water. Designated as Local Primacy Agency under contract with State Water Resources Control Board.
• Solid Waste Program Local Enforcement Agency (LEA) certified by CalRecycle. Permits and inspects solid waste facilities including active and closed landfills, transfer stations, composting facilities, and construction/demolition processing facilities.
• Well Program Oversight of construction, modification, repair, inactivation, and destruction of wells including Water Supply Wells, Monitoring Wells, Geothermal Heat Exchange Wells, and Cathodic Protection Wells per Chapter 6.28 of Sacramento County Code.
• Abandoned Wells Program Identification and securing of abandoned wells to prevent groundwater contamination and safety hazards. Provides three remediation options: repair, inactivate, or properly destroy wells.
• Household Hazardous Waste Program Disposal sites for household hazardous waste including antifreeze, batteries, used motor oil, filters, paint, and electronic waste for Sacramento County residents.
• Noise Control Program Investigation of noise complaints requiring sound level monitoring or of habitual/mechanical nature such as pool pumps, mechanical equipment, and HVAC systems. Enforces Sacramento County Code Chapter 6.68.
• Plan Review Service Review of plans for retail food facilities, public swimming pools, spas, and recreational water features to ensure compliance with equipment and layout requirements for safe and sanitary operations.
• Cross-Connection Control Program Oversight of tracking and notification of Point of Service backflow protection devices. Maintains database of backflow devices and list of certified testers. Online portal for certified testers to submit annual backflow assembly test results.
• Septic System Permit Process Permitting for new septic systems, repairs, and existing system modifications. Provides information on Standard Systems and Test Drill Areas with specific requirements for Sacramento County.
• Waste Tire Program Inspection of approximately 1,000 businesses that generate, haul, or accept waste tires, with approximately 500 inspections conducted annually. Funded by CalRecycle grants from the California Tire fee.
• Employee Housing Program Annual permit program with three inspections completed annually: water analysis, pre-occupancy, and occupancy inspections for employee housing facilities in Sacramento County.
• Detention Facilities Inspection Program Annual inspection program mandated pursuant to California Code of Regulations for county jails and other detention facilities.
• Recycled Water Use Program Partnership program with Sacramento Area Sewer District and Sacramento County Water Agency overseeing Title 22 compliance for recycled water production, distribution, and end-use monitoring.

Quantifiable outcome

• Approximately 2,200 public pools, spas, spray grounds and water parks inspected annually
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal-EPA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCal-EPA designated Sacramento County EMD as the Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA) for Sacramento County. As CUPA, EMD implements six statewide environmental programs including hazardous waste management, underground storage tanks, and CalARP.
• State Water Resources Control BoardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState Water Resources Control Board contracts with EMD as Local Primacy Agency for Small Water Systems Program, performing program requirements specified in State and Federal Regulations.
• California Department of Resources, Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCalRecycle certified EMD as Local Enforcement Agency (LEA) for Sacramento County, enforcing state laws pertaining to storage, processing, and disposal of solid waste. CalRecycle also provides grants and loans for waste reduction programs.
• Sacramento Area Sewer District (SacSewer)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Recycled Water Program where SacSewer provides recycled water treatment, monitors water quality, and partners with Sacramento County Water Agency for distribution.
• Sacramento County Water Agency (SCWA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Sacramento Area Sewer District for Recycled Water Program where SCWA distributes recycled water to customers and monitors recycled water use.
• California Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRWQCB issues permits for recycled water production and distribution, enforces Title 22 regulations, and conducts oversight of water quality standards compliance.
• Sacramento County Department of Health Services (DHS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEMD's Environmental Health Division serves as investigation entity for Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPP), administered by DHS. CLPPP provides services for lead hazard awareness and child blood lead screening.
• State Water Resources Control Board (for LOP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLOP agencies created pursuant to California Health & Safety Code; State Water Resources Control Board enters agreements with local agencies to perform cleanup and abatement actions for underground storage tank releases.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Santa Clara County Environmental Health Department: CUPA for Santa Clara County administering hazardous materials, food, pool, body art, and solid waste programs comparable to Sacramento County EMD's portfolio.
• Orange County Health Care Agency - Environmental Health Division: Operates CUPA, food facility inspection, pool, and solid waste LEA programs for Orange County under a structurally similar fee-funded, state-designated model.
• San Diego County Department of Environmental Health: Designated CUPA for San Diego County, performing food facility inspections, hazardous materials, solid waste, and recreational health programs with comparable structure and fee-funded model.
• Contra Costa Health Services - Environmental Health Division: CUPA and LEA for Contra Costa County providing parallel food, hazardous materials, recreational health, and liquid waste programs under the same California regulatory framework.
• Los Angeles County Department of Public Health - Environmental Health Division: The largest CUPA in California, providing identical retail food, CUPA hazardous materials, solid waste LEA, recreational health, and stormwater programs across Los Angeles County. Most directly comparable CUPA peer by program scope and statutory role.
• Alameda County Environmental Health Department: CUPA and Local Enforcement Agency for Alameda County, providing food protection, hazardous materials CUPA, stormwater, and solid waste programs comparable in scope and statutory authority.
• Riverside County Department of Environmental Health: Designated CUPA for Riverside County operating retail food, CUPA hazardous materials, solid waste, and recreational health programs at a similar scale and funding model.

Broad incumbents

• California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA): State-level regulator that designates EMD as CUPA and oversees the unified program; provides the regulatory framework within which Sacramento County EMD operates as a delegated local agency.
• CalRecycle (Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery): State agency that certifies EMD as Local Enforcement Agency for solid waste and provides grant funding for the Waste Tire Program; the upstream state authority for Sacramento County's solid waste oversight.
• State Water Resources Control Board: State agency contracting with EMD as Local Primacy Agency for small water systems and as the oversight authority for the Local Oversight Program; comparable to EMD's small water and UST programs but operating statewide.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sacramento County Environmental Management Department