Chapter 17.204 — SINGLE-UNIT AND DUPLEX DWELLINGS
Article III — R-1A Zone-Single-Unit or Duplex Dwelling Zone
Sacramento Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · ingested 2026-07-06 · Sacramento
17.204.300 R-1A zone-Purpose. ¶
The purpose of the R-1A zone is to permit single-unit or duplex dwellings, whether attached or detached, at a higher density than is permitted in the R-1 zone. Dwellings that have no interior side yards, such as townhouses and rowhouses, are allowed. (Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)
17.204.310 R-1A zone-Permitted uses. ¶
- A. Permitted uses. The following uses are permitted by right in the R-1A zone, subject to the limitations specified:
| Use | Limitations |
|---|---|
| 1. Residential Uses | |
| Dwelling, duplex | |
| Dwelling, single-unit | |
| Model home temporary sales office | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.125 |
| 2. Commercial and Institutional Uses | |
| Community market | Permitted if the primary use of the property is not a single-unit or duplex dwelling; Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.124 |
| 3. Industrial and Agricultural Uses | |
| Community garden, private (not exceeding 1.0 acre) | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.810 et seq. |
| Market garden (not exceeding 1.0 acre) | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.810 et seq. |
| Solar energy system, commercial (city property) | Allowed in this zone and exempt from the provisions of this title |
B. Conditional uses. The following uses in the R-1A zone require approval of a conditional use permit, subject to the limitations specified:
| the limitations specified: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Use | Limitations | Approval Required by: Planning and Design Commission (PDC); Zoning Administrator (ZA); or City Council (CC) |
| 1. Residential Uses | ||
| Dormitory | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.111 |
ZA |
| Fraternity house; sorority house | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.111 |
PDC |
| Mobilehome park | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.115 |
PDC |
| Residential care facility | ZA | |
| Temporary residential shelter | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.600 et seq. |
ZA |
| 2. Commercial and Institutional Uses | ||
| Amusement center, outdoor | PDC | |
| Assembly-cultural, religious, social | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.128 |
ZA |
| Bed and breakfast inn | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.104 |
ZA |
| Cemetery | PDC | |
| Childcare center | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.113 |
ZA |
| Golf course; driving range | PDC | |
| Kennel | ZA | |
| Library; archive | PDC | |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Museum | PDC | |
| Non-profit organization, food preparation for off-site consumption |
PDC | |
| Non-profit organization, food storage and distribution |
PDC | |
| Non-profit organization, meal service facility |
PDC | |
| Nonresidential care facility | ZA | |
| School, K-12 | PDC | |
| Stand-alone parking facility | The zoning administrator may waive the development standards stated in sections 17.608.040 and 17.612.020 |
ZA |
| 3. Industrial and Agricultural Uses | ||
| Antenna; telecommunications facility | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.300 et seq. |
PDC |
| Community garden, private (exceeding 1.0 acre) |
Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.810 et seq. |
ZA |
| Heliport; helistop | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.114 |
PDC |
| High voltage transmission facility | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.500 et seq. |
CC |
| Market garden (exceeding 1.0 acre) | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.810 et seq. |
ZA |
| Passenger terminal | PDC | |
| Well-gas, oil | PDC |
C. Accessory uses. The following uses are permitted in the R1-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 | |
| Aquaculture | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.810 et seq. |
| Childcare center | Permitted if accessory to assembly-cultural, religious, social; |
| Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.113 | |
| Childcare, in-home (family day care home) | |
| Common area | |
| Dwelling unit, accessory | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.105 |
| Dwelling unit, junior accessory | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.105 |
| Family care facility | |
| Family day care facility | |
| Home occupation | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.200 et seq. |
| Personal auto storage | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.101 |
| --- | --- |
| Private garden | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.810 et seq. |
| Urban beekeeping | Subject to section 9.44.330 |
D. Prohibited uses. All uses not listed as permitted, conditional, or accessory uses are prohibited in the R-1A zone. (Ord. 2024-0054 § 9; Ord. 2024-0017 § 15; Ord. 2021-0023 § 11; Ord. 2020-0021 § 12; Ord. 2016-0003 § 3; Ord. 2016-0001 § 4; Ord. 2015-0005 § 12; Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)
17.204.320 R-1A zone-Height, density, lot coverage, and floor area ratios. ¶
A. Height. The maximum height is 35 feet.
B. Density. A maximum of 2 dwelling units is allowed per lot.
C. Lot coverage. The maximum lot coverage is 50 percent.
D. Floor area ratios. The minimum and maximum floor area ratios are established in the general plan. (Ord. 20130020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)
17.204.330 R-1A zone-Lot sizes, width, and depth. ¶
A. Lot size. The minimum lot size is 2,900 square feet per dwelling unit.
B. Lot width. The minimum lot width is 20 feet, except where abutting a lot in an R-1 zone, in which case the minimum lot width is 25 feet. The minimum lot width of corner lots is 38 feet.
C. Lot depth. The minimum lot depth is 80 feet. The maximum lot depth is 160 feet. (Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)
17.204.340 R-1A zone-Setbacks. ¶
- A. Front-yard setback. The minimum front-yard setback is determined as follows:
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 front-yard setback must be equal to either of the two nearest buildings' setbacks or in between the two nearest buildings' setbacks.
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.
If there is no 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 20 feet.
- B. Interior side-yard setback.
Unless paragraph 2 of this subsection applies, no minimum interior side-yard setback is required.
The minimum interior side-yard setback is five feet if the interior side-yard lot line abuts a lot in an R-1 or R- 1B zone, or abuts a lot containing a detached single-unit dwelling.
C. Street side-yard setback. The minimum street side-yard setback is 12.5 feet.
D. Rear-yard setback. The minimum rear-yard setback is five 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. 2017-0061 § 11; Ord. 2015-0031 § 3; Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)
17.204.350 R-1A 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)
17.204.360 R-1A zone-Site plan and design review. ¶
A. General.
For development projects not located in a historic district and not involving a landmark, no tentative map, parcel map, or permit shall be approved or issued unless 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, no person shall commence construction or otherwise undertake a development project, and no tentative map, parcel map, or permit shall be approved or issued, unless 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. 2017-0061 § 12; Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)