Agricultural Pass Program

The purpose of the Sacramento County Agricultural Pass Program is to safely reduce the economic impact of an acute or prolonged disaster on the agricultural community by allowing, when safe, the ability for coordinated reentry of commercial agricultural producers to an evacuated area. This program will result in a pre-identified list of vetted, and trained commercial agricultural operators that may be able to enter an evacuation area through coordination with government officials and presentation of an approved Ag Pass to law enforcement at a roadblock.

Ag Pass holders will be limited to performing only those functions and tasks that have been determined essential for the support of commercial operations to lessen the impacts of economic loss or to provide auxiliary support to peace officers and emergency personnel in locating water sources and access routes.

The Sacramento County Agricultural Commissioner's Office administers the program, which was formally adopted by the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors on December 5, 2023 (Resolution No. 2023-0975).

⚠️  Note: Possession of an Ag Pass does not guarantee automatic entry. Public safety officials managing the incident response will allow access only once it has been determined to be safe. Ag Pass holders are required to always follow the instructions of public safety officials.

To request Ag Pass access during an emergency, call 3-1-1.  For the local Emergency Sheriff Dispatch call 916-874-5111.​​

Ag Pass holders are authorized to perform only those functions and tasks determined to be essential for the support of commercial agricultural operations to lessen economic losses or to provide auxiliary support to emergency personnel. Permitted activities may include:

• Caring for, sheltering, feeding, watering, or evacuating livestock.
• Irrigating crops and operating or moving farm equipment.
• Performing limited, essential harvest activities where authorized.
• Providing auxiliary support to emergency personnel, such as identifying water sources, access routes, and other local knowledge useful to the emergency response.

Ag Pass holders may not perform emergency work such as fighting fires or defending structures. The pass does not grant any special privileges or authority to disregard the orders of public safety officials.

The Ag Pass Program is open to commercial agricultural operations registered with the Sacramento County Agricultural Commissioner's Office. "Commercial agriculture" means the raising of agricultural or horticultural crops or livestock and their products as a principal or supplemental source of income.

To qualify, an individual applicant must:

• Be an owner or operator of a commercial agricultural operation (Primary Pass), or a full-time employee or adult family member authorized in writing by the owner/operator (Designated or Temporary Pass).
• Have a working knowledge of the operation's agricultural property, including access to irrigation systems, farm equipment, and other essential infrastructure.
• Complete required training.
• Sign and maintain a current Release of Liability (Liability Disclosure Form) on file with the County.

Pass Types

• Primary Pass: The owner and/or operator of the agricultural operation. Responsible as the main point of contact with coordinating officials. Each Primary Pass holder may request Designated and Temporary passes based on the number of personnel needed to perform essential operations.
• Designated Pass: A full-time employee or adult relative of the Primary Pass holder. Must be authorized in writing by the owner/operator. Responsible for maintaining communication with the Primary Pass holder.
• Temporary Pass: A current Ag or Livestock Pass holder from another California county jurisdiction who is acting as a mutual aid partner to a Primary or Designated Pass holder in Sacramento County. May only access an evacuation area alongside the Primary or Designated Pass holder.

Completion of required training is a condition of receiving and maintaining an Ag Pass. Training must be renewed annually.

Initial Training

The initial training requirement may be satisfied by completing the Sacramento County Ag Pass Training, a pre-recorded training session administered in person at the Agricultural Commissioner's Office (approximately 2.5 - 4 hours, depending on whether initial or refresher training applies).

Annual Renewal Training

Existing Ag Pass holders must complete a one-hour refresher training course each year to maintain active status.

Training is administered in person at the Sacramento County Department of Agriculture. Sessions may accommodate one or more individuals at a time. Please contact our office to schedule your appointment. Allow three to four hours for the complete initial enrollment process, which includes:

• Completing and submitting your Ag Pass application.
• Presenting documentation verifying your commercial agricultural operation.
• Signing and submitting the Ag Pass Liability Disclosure Form.
• Viewing the pre-recorded Ag Pass training video.
• Having your photo taken for your Ag Pass badge (or submitting a digital photo in advance, see below).
• Badge issuance, pending verification of all submitted materials.

To schedule an appointment or ask questions about the program, contact the Sacramento County Agricultural Commissioner's Office nearest you:

Sacramento Location: 4137 Branch Center Rd., Sacramento, CA 95827
Phone: (916) 875-6603
Email: agcomm@saccounty.gov

Galt Location: 232 N. Lincoln Way, Suite #30, Galt, CA 95632
Phone: (916) 876-1400
Email: agcomm@saccounty.gov

Please gather the following materials before your appointment.

For All Applicants

• Government-issued photo identification (e.g., driver's license or passport).
• Passport-style photo. A head-and-shoulders digital photo in JPG format, not larger than 500 KB, may be submitted by e-mail to agcomm@saccounty.gov in advance of your appointment. If you prefer, staff will photograph you at the time of your appointment.

Proof of Commercial Agricultural Operation (One or More of the Following)

To verify that your operation qualifies as a commercial agricultural operation, provide one or more of the following:

• Operator Identification Number (OIN) or Restricted Materials Permit (RMP) issued by the Sacramento County Agricultural Commissioner.
• IRS Schedule F (Form 1040) Profit or Loss from Farming.
• Executed agricultural land lease documentation.
• USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Farm Number documentation.
• California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Bureau of Livestock Identification registered brand documentation.
• Certified Producer Certificate.
• CDFA Registered Organic Agricultural Operation documentation.

For Designated Pass Applicants

• Written authorization from the owner/operator confirming the applicant's employment with or family relationship to the operation, and authorization to apply for an Ag Pass.