Article V — R-4 Zone-Multi-Unit Dwelling Zone

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

17.208.500 R-4 zone-Purpose. ¶

The purpose of the R-4 zone is to accommodate higher-density development in the central city, along major commercial corridors, and in areas near major institutions and public transit facilities. It permits dwellings, institutions, and limited commercial goods and services serving the surrounding neighborhood. (Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)

17.208.510 R-4 zone-Permitted uses. ¶

A. Permitted uses. The following uses are permitted by right in the R-4 zone, subject to the limitations specified:

Use	Limitations
1. Residential Uses
Dormitory	Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.111
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 care facility
Residential hotel	Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.112
2. Commercial and Institutional Uses
Amusement center, indoor	This and all other similarly restricted uses combined are limited to 25% of gross floor area or 6,400 square feet of a building, whichever is greater
Assembly-cultural, religious, social	This and all other similarly restricted uses combined are limited to 25% of gross floor area or 6,400 square feet of a building, whichever is greater; Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.128
Athletic club; fitness studio	This and all other similarly restricted uses combined are limited to 25% of gross floor area or 6,400 square feet of a building, whichever is greater
Bed and breakfast inn
Childcare center	This and all other similarly restricted uses combined are limited to 25% of gross floor area or 6,400 square feet of a building, whichever is greater; Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.113
Commercial service	This and all other similarly restricted uses combined are limited to 25% of gross floor area or 6,400 square feet of a building, whichever is greater
Community clinic	This and all other similarly restricted uses combined are limited to 25% of gross floor area or 6,400 square feet of a building, whichever is greater; Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.118 .
Community market	Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.124
Hotel; motel	Permitted if the project does not involve the demolition or conversion of multi-unit dwellings that exist or are under construction
Laundromat, self-service	This and all other similarly restricted uses combined are limited to 25% of gross floor area or 6,400 square feet of a building, whichever is greater
Library; archive
Mortuary; crematory	This and all other similarly restricted uses combined are limited to 25% of gross floor area or 6,400 square feet of a building, whichever is greater
Museum
Nonresidential care facility	This and all other similarly restricted uses combined are limited to 25% of gross floor area or 6,400 square feet of a building, whichever is greater
Office	This and all other similarly restricted uses combined are limited to 25% of gross floor area or 6,400 square feet of a building, whichever is greater

Restaurant	This and all other similarly restricted uses combined are limited to 25% of gross floor area or 6,400 square feet of a building, whichever is greater
Retail store	This and all other similarly restricted uses combined are limited to 25% of gross floor area or 6,400 square feet of a building, whichever is greater
School-dance, music, art, martial arts	This and all other similarly restricted uses combined are limited to 25% of gross floor area or 6,400 square feet of a building, whichever is greater
School, vocational	This and all other similarly restricted uses combined are limited to 25% of gross floor area or 6,400 square feet of a building, whichever is greater
Theater	This and all other similarly restricted uses combined are limited to 25% of gross floor area or 6,400 square feet of a building, whichever is greater
Tobacco retailing	Permitted in a store that has greater than 15,000 square feet of gross floor area if the total area of shelving allocated to tobacco products and tobacco paraphernalia does not exceed 250 square feet.
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-4 zone require approval of a conditional use permit, subject to the limitations specified:

limitations specified:
Use	Limitations	Approval Required by: Planning and Design Commission (PDC); Zoning Administrator (ZA); or City Council (CC)
1. Residential Uses
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 hotel	Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.112	PDC
Temporary residential shelter	Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.600 et seq.	ZA
2. Commercial and Institutional Uses
Alcoholic beverage sales, off-premises consumption	This and all other similarly restricted uses combined are limited to 25% of gross floor area or 6,400 square feet of a building, whichever is greater; Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.108	PDC
Amusement center, outdoor		PDC
Assembly-cultural, religious, social		PDC

Bar; nightclub	This and all other similarly restricted uses combined are limited to 25% of gross floor area or 6,400 square feet of a building, whichever is greater; Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.108	PDC
Cemetery		PDC
Check-cashing center	This and all other similarly restricted uses combined are limited to 25% of gross floor area or 6,400 square feet of a building, whichever is greater; Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.121	PDC
Cinema (inside arts and entertainment district)	This and all other similarly restricted uses combined are limited to 25% of gross floor area or 6,400 square feet of a building, whichever is greater	PDC
College campus		PDC
College extension		PDC
Correctional facility		PDC
Golf course; driving range		PDC
Hotel; motel	Allowed with a conditional use permit if the project involves the demolition or conversion of multi-unit dwellings that exist or are under construction	PDC
Kennel	This and all other similarly restricted uses combined are limited to 25% of gross floor area or 6,400 square feet of a building, whichever is greater	ZA
Non-profit organization, food preparation for off-site consumption	Entire business, including storage and display, shall be conducted within a building	PDC
Non-profit organization, food storage and distribution	Entire business, including storage and display, shall be conducted within a building	PDC
Non-profit organization, meal service facility	This and all other similarly restricted uses combined are limited to 25% of gross floor area or 6,400 square feet of a building, whichever is greater	PDC
Nonresidential care facility	This and all other similarly restricted uses combined are limited to 25% of gross floor area or 6,400 square feet of a building, whichever is greater	PDC
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
Tobacco retailing	Permitted with a conditional use permit in a store that has 15,000 square feet or less of gross floor area or allocates more than 250 square feet of shelving to tobacco products and tobacco paraphernalia.	ZA
Veterinary clinic; veterinary hospital	This and all other similarly restricted uses combined are limited to 25% of gross floor area or	ZA

	6,400 square feet of a building, whichever is greater
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-4 zone when accessory to a permitted or conditional use, subject to the limitations specified:

use, subject to the limitations specified:
Use	Limitations
Accessory antenna
Accessory drive-through facility	Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.110
Aquaculture	Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.810 et seq.
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-4 zone. (Ord. 2026-0001 § 3; Ord. 2024-0054 § 16; Ord. 2024-0017 § 22; Ord. 2021-0024 § 6; Ord. 2021-0023 § 18; Ord. 2020-0025 § 4; Ord. 2020-0021 § 19; Ord. 2019-0027 § 3; Ord. 2016-0001 § 11; Ord. 2015-0005 § 19; Ord. 20130020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)

17.208.520 R-4 zone-Height, density, lot coverage, and floor area ratios. ¶

A. Height. The maximum height is 45 feet.

B. Density. The maximum density is 60 dwelling units per net acre.
C. Lot coverage. The maximum lot coverage is 60%.
D. Floor area ratios. The minimum and maximum floor area ratios are established in the general plan. (Ord. 20130020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)

17.208.530 R-4 zone-Lot size, width, and depth. ¶

A. Lot size. The minimum lot size is 2,000 square feet.
B. Lot width.

Unless paragraph 2 or 3 of this subsection applies, the minimum lot width is 20 feet.
If the lot abuts a lot in the R-1 zone, the minimum lot width is 25 feet.
The minimum 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)

17.208.540 R-4 zone-Setbacks. ¶

A. Front and street side-yard setbacks.

The minimum front and street side-yard setback for single-unit and two-unit dwellings is 3 feet.
The minimum front and street side-yard setback for multi-unit dwellings is five feet.
The maximum front and street side-yard setback is 25 feet.

B. Rear-yard setback.

Unless paragraph 2 of this subsection applies, the minimum rear-yard setback is 15 feet.
If the rear lot line abuts a public alley, the rear-yard setback is five feet.

C. Interior side-yard setback.

Unless paragraph 2 of this subsection applies, there is no minimum interior side-yard setback.
If the interior side-yard lot line abuts a lot in the R-1 or R-1B zone or a lot containing a detached single-unit dwelling, the minimum interior side-yard setback is five feet.

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)

17.208.550 R-4 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)

17.208.560 R-4 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 § 23; Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)

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