Placer County Wedding Rules: What You Need To Know

are weddings allowed in placer county

Weddings are allowed in Placer County, California, and the county clerk's office assists with marriage ceremonies and issues marriage licenses. The office offers a variety of services, including wedding keepsakes, photos, videos, and even a state-required witness to the ceremony. Ceremonies are performed through the Clerk-Recorder's Office, and appointments are preferable. Agricultural event centers are also permissible in Placer County with a Conditional Use Permit (CUP), and there are specific guidelines for operating hours, noise levels, and permits for events.

Characteristics Values
Marriage licenses Public and Confidential
Requirements for marriage license Both parties must apply together and in person. Parties must present government-issued photo identification, full names, including mother's maiden names, and state or country of birth.
Wedding ceremonies Performed through the Clerk-Recorder's Office, Monday through Friday. Appointments are preferable, but not necessary.
Wedding keepsakes Available in the Rocklin office, including framed wedding photos, digital wedding videos, wedding bouquets, boutonnieres, and wedding rings.
Office hours Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Agricultural event centers Permissible with a Conditional Use Permit ("CUP") in specific zoning districts.
Temporary Outdoor Event Permit Required for hosting occasional events such as weddings.

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Marriage licenses are issued by the county clerk

In Placer County, California, marriage licenses are issued by the County Clerk. The County Clerk's Office also performs marriage ceremonies in English and Spanish and registers confidential marriage licenses.

Marriage license applications can be processed at the Rocklin and Auburn offices from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. No appointment is necessary if applying for a license at these offices. Marriage license applications are also accepted at the Carnelian Bay office, but this is by appointment only.

There are two types of marriage licenses that a couple may apply for: public and confidential. Both are valid for 90 days from the date of issue and can be used anywhere in California. To apply, both parties must apply together and in person, presenting government-issued photo identification, such as a driver's license, passport, or military ID. Full names, including mother's maiden names, and the state or country of birth for parents, must be provided. If previously married or in a State-Registered Domestic Partnership, the date of dissolution, death, or termination must be provided.

If one or both parties want their new name(s) shown on their marriage license, the new name(s) must be entered on the marriage license application at the time of applying. The name indicated on the application will be the name on the marriage license certificate and cannot be changed by the County Clerk. If no new name is indicated on the marriage license, a court order will be required for a name change.

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Ceremonies are performed through the Clerk-Recorder's Office

In Placer County, California, ceremonies are performed through the Clerk-Recorder's Office. The office has a wedding suite, which includes a newly decorated room in the finance and administration building in North Auburn, where civil marriage ceremonies are performed. The room provides a private and intimate setting for couples.

The Clerk-Recorder's Office also offers a range of wedding items and services, including wedding rings, bouquets, boutonnieres, photos and videos of the ceremony, and even a witness for the state-required ceremony. Couples can also personalise their marriage ceremonies. For example, one couple brought their teddy bears to serve as ceremonial witnesses.

The Clerk-Recorder's Office in Placer County performs marriage ceremonies for upwards of 450 couples each year. The office assists couples with the marriage license application process and issues marriage licenses. Both the Rocklin and Auburn offices process marriage license applications from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. No appointment is necessary if applying for a license at these offices.

To schedule a marriage ceremony through the Clerk-Recorder's Office, it is preferable to make an appointment by calling at least 24 hours in advance. The office also provides information on the different types of event permits required for weddings in Placer County, such as the Conditional Use Permit ("CUP") and the Temporary Outdoor Event Permit ("TOE").

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Agricultural event centres require a Conditional Use Permit

In Placer County, agricultural event centres require a Conditional Use Permit ("CUP") to operate in the Residential Agricultural, Residential Forest, Agricultural Exclusive, and Farm zone districts. The first step in the CUP process is to submit a pre-development meeting application, which is required for all CUP permits, including for event centres. Although these meetings are not free, they are valuable as staff from each reviewing department will provide a detailed checklist of permit requirements and potential site improvements. These meetings also allow you to ask specific site-related questions, such as building permit requirements, environmental health regulations, and site improvements.

Agricultural event centres must be associated with an ongoing, on-site agricultural production with a minimum gross revenue of $1,000 per acre per year or a minimum of $10,000 and up to $40,000 annually, depending on parcel size. Verification of minimum on-site agricultural production from the Agricultural Commissioner is required.

There are three types of agricultural event centres permissible in Placer County with a CUP: Small Agricultural Event Centre (property must be at least 10 acres, maximum 100 guests), Intermediate Agricultural Event Centre (property must be at least 20 acres, maximum 200 guests), and Large Agricultural Event Centre (property must be at least 40 acres, maximum 400 guests).

Agricultural event centres with a CUP may host up to 26 events per year and must adhere to specific guidelines, including operating hours and noise restrictions. Hours of operation are typically Friday-Saturday, 10 am to 10 pm, and Sunday-Thursday, 10 am to 8 pm. Noise-generating activities, such as music, must end by 7:30 pm unless moved indoors.

Obtaining the necessary permits is crucial not only for complying with regulations but also for ensuring the safety of attendees, protecting rural neighbourhoods, and supporting responsible land use. Unpermitted events can put people at risk and create liabilities for property owners. Additionally, agricultural event centres may need to address concerns raised by neighbouring communities, such as increased traffic, noise, trespassers, and the frequency of events, to maintain harmonious relationships.

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Temporary Outdoor Event Permits are needed for occasional events

Weddings are allowed in Placer County, California, but there are some permits and regulations to be aware of. Temporary outdoor event permits are needed for occasional events like weddings, especially if they are held in agricultural areas.

Agricultural event centers are permissible in the unincorporated areas of Placer County, but they require approval of a Conditional Use Permit ("CUP") in specific zoning districts. These include Residential Agricultural, Residential Forest, Agricultural Exclusive, and Farm zones. The intent behind allowing these event centers is to preserve and enhance the economic viability of the county's agricultural operations and support agri-tourism. Therefore, agricultural event centers must be associated with ongoing, on-site agricultural production with minimum gross revenue requirements.

There are three types of agricultural event centers permissible in Placer County with a CUP: Small, Intermediate, and Large. A Small Agricultural Event Center must have a property of at least 10 acres and can accommodate a maximum of 100 guests. An Intermediate Agricultural Event Center requires at least 20 acres of property and can host up to 200 guests. For a Large Agricultural Event Center, the property must be at least 40 acres, and they can accommodate a maximum of 400 guests.

To obtain a CUP, the first step is to submit a pre-development meeting application, which is required for all CUP permits, including for event centers. While these meetings are not free, they provide valuable information and guidance. Staff from relevant departments will provide a detailed checklist of permit requirements and potential site improvements. These meetings also allow you to ask specific questions related to your event site, such as building permit requirements, environmental health regulations, and any necessary site improvements.

It is important to obtain the necessary permits for your event to avoid fines and punitive measures. Additionally, adhering to the Placer County Noise Ordinance is crucial, with noise-generating activities, such as music, needing to end by 7:30 pm unless moved indoors and the outdoor sound reduced.

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Marriage certificates are filled out and printed on-site

In Placer County, California, marriage certificates are issued by the County Clerk's Office. The County Clerk is also designated as a commissioner of civil marriages and can perform marriage ceremonies in English.

Marriage certificates are not filled out and printed on-site. The couple must first apply for a marriage license, which can be done at the Clerk's Office in either Auburn or Rocklin, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., excluding holidays. No appointment is necessary if applying for a license at these offices. The Carnelian Bay office also accepts marriage license applications, but this is by appointment only.

Once the couple has obtained their marriage license, they must present it to the person who will perform the marriage ceremony. After the ceremony, it is the responsibility of the officiant to complete the license and return it to the County Clerk for filing within 10 days.

There are two types of marriage licenses available in Placer County: Public and Confidential. Both types are valid for 90 days from the date of issue and can be used anywhere in California. The Public license is a public record, while the Confidential marriage license is not, and only the married couple can purchase a certified copy of the latter without a court order. The cost of a marriage certificate is $17 for a public record and $22 for a confidential record.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, you can get married at the Placer County clerk-recorder’s office, which has a dedicated wedding suite.

The Placer County office performs civil marriage ceremonies. Couples can also add their own touches to the ceremony.

To get a marriage license, you need to apply in person with your partner and present government-issued photo identification. You will also need to provide your full names, including mother's maiden names, and state or country of birth.

Yes, you can host a wedding in unincorporated Placer County with a Conditional Use Permit ("CUP") or a Temporary Outdoor Event Permit ("TOE"). Agricultural event centers are permissible with a CUP in certain zoning districts.

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