Chapter 17.200 — AGRICULTURE AND OPEN SPACE
Article I — A Zone-Agricultural Zone
Sacramento Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · ingested 2026-07-06 · Sacramento
17.200.100 A zone-Purpose. ¶
The purpose of the A zone is to restrict the use of land primarily to agriculture and farming. It is also considered an open space zone. Property in this zone will be considered for reclassification when proposed for urban development that is consistent with the general plan. (Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)
17.200.110 A zone-Permitted uses. ¶
A. Permitted uses. The following uses are permitted by right in the A zone, subject to the limitations specified:
| A. Permitted uses. The following uses are permitted by right | in the A zone, subject to the limitations specified: |
|---|---|
| Use | Limitations |
| 1. Residential Uses | |
| Dwelling, single unit | |
| Farm worker housing | Appropriate density determined during project review |
| 2. Commercial and Institutional Uses | |
| Temporary commercial building | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.126 |
| 3. Industrial and Agricultural Uses | |
| Agriculture, general use | |
| Community garden | |
| Produce stand (not exceeding 120 square feet) | |
| Solar energy system, commercial (city property) | Allowed in this zone and is exempt from the provisions of this title |
B. Conditional uses. The following uses in the A zone require approval of a conditional use permit, subject to the limitations specified:
| Use | Limitations | Approval Required by: Planning and Design Commission (PDC); Zoning Administrator (ZA); or City Council (CC) |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Commercial and Institutional Uses | ||
| Amusement center, outdoor | PDC | |
| Assembly-cultural, religious, social | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.128 |
ZA |
| Cemetery | PDC | |
| Golf course; driving range | PDC | |
| Kennel | ZA | |
| School, K-12 | PDC | |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Transit vehicle-service, repair, storage | PDC | |
| Veterinary clinic; veterinary hospital | ZA | |
| 2. Industrial and Agricultural Uses | ||
| Animal slaughter | PDC | |
| Antenna; telecommunications facility | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.300 et seq. |
PDC |
| Cannabis cultivation | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.900 |
ZA/PDC |
| High voltage transmission facility | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.500 et seq. |
CC |
| Produce stand (exceeding 120 square feet) | ZA | |
| Recycling facility | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.400 et seq. |
ZA/PDC |
| Riding stable | PDC | |
| Solar energy system, commercial (non-city property) |
Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.123 |
ZA |
| Surface mining operation | PDC | |
| Well-gas, oil | PDC |
C. Accessory uses. The following uses are permitted in the A zone when accessory to a permitted or conditional use, subject to the limitations specified:
| use, subject to the limitations specified: | |
|---|---|
| Use | Limitations |
| Accessory antenna | |
| Childcare, in-home (family day care home) | |
| Dwelling unit, junior accessory | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.105 |
| Dwelling unit, accessory | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.105 |
| Family day care facility | |
| Home occupation | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.200 et seq. |
| Watchperson's quarters | The structure shall be limited to 1,000 square feet |
D. Prohibited uses. All uses not listed as permitted, conditional, or accessory uses are prohibited in the A zone. (Ord. 2024-0017 § 11; Ord. 2021-0023 § 7; Ord. 2020-0021 § 8; Ord. 2017-0056 § 4; Ord. 2016-0050 § 4; Ord. 20160006 § 3; Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)
17.200.120 A zone-Height, density, lot coverage, and floor area ratios. ¶
A. Height. The maximum height is 50 feet.
B. Density. The maximum density is 1 dwelling unit per lot.
C. Lot coverage. No requirement.
D. Floor area ratios. The minimum and maximum floor area ratios are established in the general plan. (Ord. 20130020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)
17.200.130 A zone-Lot sizes, width, and depth. ¶
A. Lot size. The minimum lot size is five acres.
B. Lot width. No requirement.
C. Lot depth. No requirement. (Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)
17.200.140 A zone-Setbacks. ¶
- A. Front-yard setback.
- The minimum front-yard setback is determined as follows by taking into consideration all of the following:
- a. If there are at least two other buildings with front-yard setbacks on the same side of the street on the same block as the lot for which the setback is being determined, the minimum front-yard setback is the average of the two front-yard setbacks of the nearest two buildings or 25 feet, whichever is less.
b. If there is only one other building with a front-yard setback on the same side of the street on the same block as the lot for which the setback is being determined, the minimum front-yard setback is the front-yard setback of that building or 25 feet, whichever is less.
c. If there is no other building with a front-yard setback on the same side of the street on the same block, the minimum front-yard setback is 20 feet.
- If a parcel fronts a right-of-way that has a planter strip between the street pavement and the sidewalk, the width of the planter strip is counted in the front-yard setback.
B. Interior side-yard setback. The minimum interior side-yard setback is 10 feet.
C. Street side-yard. The minimum street side-yard setback is 12.5 feet.
D. Rear-yard setback. The minimum rear-yard setback is 15 feet.
E. Levee setback. A minimum 20-foot setback from the landside toe of any flood control levee is required for development less than five acres in size. A minimum 50-foot setback is required from the landside toe of any flood control levee for development five acres or greater in size. No primary or accessory structures may encroach into the levee setback. (Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)
17.200.150 A zone-Generally applicable development standards. ¶
A. For architectural design guidelines and exceptions to the height and area standards, see chapter 17.600.
B. For parking requirements, see chapter 17.608.
C. For landscaping and paving requirements, see chapter 17.612.
D. For recycling and solid waste disposal regulations, see chapter 17.616.
E. For wall, fence, and gate regulations, see chapter 17.620.
F. For residential accessory structure and use regulations, see chapter 17.624.
G. For sign standards and regulations, see chapter 15.148.
H. For historic preservation program generally, see chapter 17.604. For preservation design review of development projects, see section 17.808.100 et seq. (Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)
17.200.160 A zone-Site plan and design review. ¶
A. General.
For development projects not located in a historic district or involving a landmark, a final subdivision map shall not be approved and a permit shall not be issued unless and until an application for site plan and design review of the proposed project is approved in accordance with chapter 17.808 or the project is exempt under section 17.808.160.
As used in this subsection A, "permit" means a building permit, a demolition permit, a sign permit, a grading permit, a paving permit, an encroachment permit, and a certificate of occupancy.
- B. Historic districts and landmarks.
For development projects located in a historic district or involving a landmark, a person shall not commence construction or otherwise undertake, and a final subdivision map shall not be approved and a permit shall not be issued unless and until an application for site plan and design review of the proposed project is approved in accordance with chapter 17.808 or the project is exempt under section 17.808.160.
As used in this subsection B, "permit" means a building permit, a demolition permit, a sewer or water connection or disconnection, a sign permit, a grading permit, a paving permit, an encroachment permit, and a certificate of occupancy. (Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)