Chapter 17.208 — MULTI-UNIT DWELLINGS

Article I — R-2A Zone-Multi-Unit Dwelling Zone

Sacramento Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · ingested 2026-07-06 · Sacramento

17.208.100 R-2A zone-Purpose.

The purpose of the R-2A zone is to permit garden apartments and cluster housing. This zone is regulated to minimize the ground area covered by structures and maximize open space. (Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)

17.208.110 R-2A zone-Permitted uses.

A. Permitted uses. The following uses are permitted by right in the R-2A zone, subject to the limitations specified:

Use Limitations
1. Residential Uses
Dwelling, duplex
Dwelling, multi-unit Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.117
Dwelling, single-unit
Model home temporary sales office Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.125
Residential hotel Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.112
2. Commercial and Institutional Uses
Community market 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-2A 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. 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 R-2A zone when accessory to a permitted or conditional 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 are prohibited in the R-2A zone. (Ord. 2024-0054 § 12; Ord. 2024-0017 § 18; Ord. 2021-0023 § 14; Ord. 2020-0021 § 15; Ord. 2016-0001 § 7; Ord. 20150005 § 15; Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)

17.208.120 R-2A zone-Height, density, lot coverage, and floor area ratios.

  • A. Height. The maximum height is 35 feet.

  • B. Density. The maximum density is 17 dwelling units per net acre.

  • 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)

17.208.130 R-2A zone-Lot size, width, and depth.

  • A. Lot size. The minimum lot size is 2,500 square feet.

  • B. Lot width.

  1. Unless paragraph 2 or 3 of this subsection applies, the minimum lot width is 20 feet.

  2. The minimum lot width is 25 feet when the lot abuts a lot in the R-1 zone.

  3. The minimum width of corner lots is 38 feet.

  • C. Lot depth.
  1. The minimum lot depth is 80 feet.

  2. The maximum lot depth is 160 feet. (Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)

17.208.140 R-2A zone-Setbacks.

  • A. Front and street side-yard setback.
  1. The minimum front and street side-yard setback is 10 feet.
  • 2 The maximum front and street side-yard setback is 25 feet.

  • B. Rear-yard setback.

  1. Unless paragraph 2 of this subsection applies, the minimum rear-yard setback is 15 feet.

  2. If the rear lot line abuts a public alley, the minimum rear-yard setback is five feet.

  • C. Interior side-yard setback.
  1. Unless paragraph 2 of this subsection applies, no minimum interior side-yard setback is required.

  2. The minimum interior side-yard setback is five feet if the interior side-yard lot line abuts a lot in the R-1 or R- 1B zone, or abuts a lot containing a detached single-unit dwelling.

D. 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)

17.208.150 R-2A 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)

17.208.160 R-2A zone-Site plan and design review.

A. General.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.
  1. 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.

  2. 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 § 17; Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)