Chapter 17.216 — COMMERCIAL, OFFICE, AND MIXED USE

Article V — SC Zone-Shopping Center Zone

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

17.216.500 SC zone-Purpose. ¶

The purpose of the SC zone is to provide a wide range of goods and services to the community. However, general commercial uses that are incompatible with a retail shopping center are prohibited. (Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 20130007 § 1)

17.216.510 SC zone-Permitted uses. ¶

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

Use	Limitations
1. Residential Uses
Dormitory	Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.111
Dwelling, multi-unit	Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.117
Low barrier navigation center
Residential care facility

Residential hotel	Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.112
2. Commercial and Institutional Uses
Amusement center, indoor
Assembly-cultural, religious, social	Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.128
Athletic club; fitness studio
Childcare center	Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.113
College extension
Commercial service
Community clinic	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
Library; archive
Museum
Nonresidential care facility
Office
Plant nursery	Permitted if use is located greater than ½ mile from the center of an existing or proposed light rail station platform
Restaurant
Retail store	This use is limited to 60,000 gross square feet; if use exceeds this limitation, a conditional use permit is required
School-dance, music, art, martial arts
School, vocational
Theater
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.
Veterinary clinic; veterinary hospital	Entire business to be conducted within a building and no outdoor boarding of animals is allowed
3. Industrial and Agricultural Uses
Aquaculture	Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.810 et seq.
Community garden, private (not exceeding 3.0 acres)	Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.810 et seq.
Market garden (not exceeding 3.0 acres)	Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.810 et seq.
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 SC 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
Dwelling, duplex		PDC
Dwelling, single-unit		PDC
Fraternity house; sorority house	Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.111	PDC
Mobilehome park		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	Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.108	PDC
Amusement center, outdoor		PDC
Bar; nightclub	Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.108	PDC
Cannabis dispensary	Limited to storefront cannabis dispensary (delivery-only cannabis dispensary not allowed)
	Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.920	ZA/PDC
Cardroom	Subject to licensing regulations in chapter 5.32;	PDC
	A cardroom may not be located within 1,000 feet, measured from the nearest property lines of the affected parcels, from another cardroom;
	Notwithstanding section 17.232.050, a conditional use permit is not required to enlarge a cardroom on a greater portion of the building or lot on which it is located or to relocate the cardroom to another location on the same lot
Check-cashing center	Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.121	PDC
Cinema		PDC
College campus		PDC
Correctional facility		PDC
Drive-in theater		PDC
Drive-through restaurant	Permitted with a conditional use permit if-	PDC
	1. Use is located greater than ¼ mile but less than or equal to ½ mile from the center of an existing or proposed light rail station platform, subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.127; or
	2. Use is located greater than ½ mile from the center of an existing or proposed light rail station platform.
	Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.109
Firearms business		PDC
Gas station	Gas stations capable of simultaneously fueling not more than 10 vehicles are permitted with a conditional use permit if-	PDC

	1. Use is located greater than ¼ mile but less than or equal to ½ mile from the center of an existing or proposed light rail station platform, subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.127; or
	2. Use is located greater than ½ mile from the center of an existing or proposed light rail station platform.
	Gas stations capable of simultaneously fueling more than 10 vehicles are permitted with a conditional use permit if-
	1. Use is located greater than ¼ mile but less than or equal to ½ mile from the center of an existing or proposed light rail station platform and within 500 feet of a freeway right-of-way or roadway with six or more lanes, subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.127; or
	2. Use is located greater than ½ mile from the center of an existing or proposed light rail station platform and within 500 feet of a freeway right-of-way or roadway with six or more lanes.
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		ZA
Non-profit organization, food preparation for off-site consumption		PDC
Non-profit organization, food storage and distribution	This use is limited to 6,400 gross square feet	PDC
Non-profit organization, meal service facility		PDC
Outdoor market	In granting a conditional use permit, the zoning administrator may consider the traffic, safety of vehicular and non-vehicular access, adequacy of bicycle parking, noise, hours of operation, and any applicable development standards related to the proposed outdoor market	ZA
Plant nursery	Permitted with a conditional use permit if use is located within ½ mile from the center of an existing or proposed light rail station platform, subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.127	PDC
Retail store	Permitted with a conditional use permit if use exceeds 60,000 gross square feet; permitted by right if use does not exceed 60,000 gross square feet	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
Superstore	Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.119	PDC
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

Transit vehicle-service, repair storage		PDC
Veterinary clinic; veterinary hospital	Allowed with a conditional use permit if animals are boarded outside or entire business is not conducted within a building	ZA
3. Industrial and Agricultural Uses
Antenna; telecommunications facility	Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.300 et seq.	PDC
Boat dock; marina		PDC
Community garden, private (exceeding 3.0 acres)	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 3.0 acres)	Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.810 et seq.	ZA
Passenger terminal		PDC
Surface mining operation	Subject to provisions of chapter 17.720	PDC
Well-gas, oil		PDC

C. Accessory uses. The following uses are permitted in the SC 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
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.
Private garden	Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.810 et seq.
Recycling facility, convenience	Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.400 et seq.
Urban beekeeping	Subject to section 9.44.330
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 SC zone.

E. Outdoor storage. Outdoor storage of any inventory or supplies in view of any public right-of-way is prohibited, except for auto and mobile home sales, rental, and storage uses. Outdoor storage or parking of vehicles overnight for

auto service or repair uses is prohibited.

F. Auto service and repair near residential. Auto service or repair work performed within 300 feet of property used or zoned for residential purposes shall not be conducted before 6:00 a.m. or after 10:00 p.m. All such work shall be performed within a building. (Ord. 2026-0001 § 12; Ord. 2025-0007 § 8; Ord. 2024-0054 § 25; Ord. 2024-0017 § 31; Ord. 2021-0023 § 27; Ord. 2020-0025 § 10; Ord. 2020-0023 § 2; Ord. 2020-0021 § 28; Ord. 2019-0027 § 10; Ord. 2019-0006 § 3; Ord. 2018-0055 § 4; Ord. 2017-0061 § 37; Ord. 2016-0016 § 6; Ord. 2016-0001 § 19; Ord. 2015-0005 § 27; Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0018 § 14; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)

17.216.520 SC zone-Height, density, and floor area ratios. ¶

A. Height. The maximum height is 35 feet.
B. Density. The maximum density is 30 dwelling units per net acre.
C. Floor area ratios. The minimum and maximum floor area ratios are established in the general plan. (Ord. 20130020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)

17.216.530 SC zone-Setbacks. ¶

A. Front and street side-yard setbacks. The minimum front and street side-yard setbacks are 20 feet.
B. Rear-yard setback.

Unless paragraph 2 of this subsection applies, there is no minimum rear-yard setback.
If the rear-yard lot line is adjacent to an R- or OB-zoned lot and is not separated by an alley, the minimum rearyard setback is 15 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 is adjacent to an R- or OB-zoned lot and is not separated by an alley, 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)

17.216.540 SC 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)

17.216.550 SC 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 § 38; Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)

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