Chapter 17.216 — COMMERCIAL, OFFICE, AND MIXED USE

Article VII — C-2 Zone-General Commercial Zone

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

17.216.700 C-2 zone-Purpose. ¶

The purpose of the C-2 zone is to provide for the sale of goods; the performance of services, including repair facilities; office uses; dwellings; small wholesale stores or distributors; and limited processing and packaging. (Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)

17.216.710 C-2 zone-Permitted uses. ¶

A. Permitted uses. The following uses are permitted by right in the C-2 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
Low barrier navigation center
Residential care facility
Residential hotel	Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.112
2. Commercial and Institutional Uses
Adult entertainment business	Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.102
Amusement center, indoor
Assembly-cultural, religious, social	Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.128
Athletic club; fitness studio
Bed and breakfast inn
Childcare center	Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.113
Cinema (inside arts and entertainment district)
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
Mortuary; crematory
Museum
Non-profit organization, food preparation for off-site consumption	Entire business, including storage and display, shall be conducted within a building
Non-profit organization, food storage and distribution	This use is limited to 6,400 gross square feet. Use may include incidental, non- nuisance producing processing, packaging, and fabricating entirely within a building.

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 40,000 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; a conditional use permit is required if animals are boarded outside, or entire business is not conducted within a building
Wholesale store	This use is limited to 6,400 gross square feet. Use may include incidental, non- nuisance producing processing, packaging, and fabricating entirely within a building
3. Industrial and Agricultural Uses
Aquaculture	Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.810 et seq.
Cannabis manufacturing	Allowed if extraction processes are not conducted with a volatile solvent and the use is exempt from the conditional use permit requirement pursuant to section 17.228.900.C.
Cannabis testing	Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.910
Community garden, private (not exceeding 3.0 acres)	Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.810 et seq.
Manufacturing, service, and repair	This use is limited to 6,400 gross square feet. Use may include incidental, non- nuisance producing processing, packaging, and fabricating entirely within a building
Market garden (not exceeding 3.0 acres)	Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.810 et seq.
Passenger terminal
Railroad ROW	Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.116
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 C-2 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
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
Adult-related establishment	Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.103	PDC
Alcoholic beverage sales, off- premises consumption	Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.108	PDC
Amusement center, outdoor		PDC
Auto-sales, storage, rental	Permitted with a conditional use permit if-	PDC
	1. Use is located within ¼ mile from the center of an existing or proposed light rail station platform and the entire business, including auto storage and display, is conducted within a building;
	2. 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
	3. Use is located greater than ½ mile from the center of an existing or proposed light rail station platform.
	Repair work is permitted if confined to a building
Auto-service, repair	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.
	Entire business shall be conducted within a building.
	No outdoor storage, overnight parking of vehicles, or display of merchandise is permitted in this zone. 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.
Bar; nightclub	Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.108	PDC
Cannabis dispensary	Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.920	ZA/PDC
Cardroom	Subject to licensing regulations in chapter 5.32;
	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	PDC
Cemetery		PDC

Check-cashing center	Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.121	PDC
Cinema (outside arts and entertainment district)		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.
	Prohibited in the Central City unless the drive-through facility is within 500 feet of freeway right-of-way.
Equipment-rental, sales yard	Permitted with a conditional use permit if-	PDC
	1. 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; or
	2. Use is located greater than ½ mile from the center of an existing or proposed light rail station platform.
	Repair work is permitted if confined to a building.
	Outdoor storage of any inventory or supplies in view of any public right-of- way is prohibited.
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.
Repair work is permitted if confined to a building.
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
Major medical facility		PDC
Mini storage; locker building	Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.106, 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.
Mobilehome-sales, storage	Repair work is permitted if confined to a building	PDC

		(PDC); Zoning Administrator (ZA); or City Council (CC)
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 40,000 gross square feet; permitted by right if use does not exceed 40,000 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
Towing service; vehicle storage yard	Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.107	PDC
Transit vehicle-service, repair, storage		PDC
Veterinary clinic; veterinary hospital	Permitted 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
Cannabis cultivation	Permitted with a conditional use permit if-	ZA/PDC
	1. 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; 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 17.228.900
Cannabis distribution	Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.900	ZA/PDC
Cannabis manufacturing	Permitted with a conditional use permit if extraction processes are not conducted with a volatile solvent and-	ZA/PDC
	1. 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; 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 17.228.900
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
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 C-2 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 C-2 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 § 14; Ord. 2025-0007 § 10; Ord. 2024-0054 § 27; Ord. 2024-0017 § 33; Ord. 2021-0023 § 29; Ord. 2020-0025 § 11; Ord. 2020-0021 § 30; Ord. 2020-0012 § 6; Ord. 2019-0027 § 12; Ord. 2018-0055 § 5; Ord. 2017-0061 § 42; Ord. 2017-0059 § 5; Ord. 2017-0056 § 5; Ord. 2017-0029 § 3; Ord. 2017-0028 § 4; Ord. 2016-0050 § 5; Ord. 2016-0016 § 7; Ord. 2016-0006 § 4; Ord. 2016-0001 § 21; Ord. 2015-0005 § 29; Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0018 § 15; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)

17.216.720 C-2 zone-Height, density, lot coverage, and floor area ratios. ¶

A. Height. Unless subsection B applies, the maximum height is 65 feet.

B. Transitional height. Portions of buildings in the C-2 zone within certain distances of the R-1, R-1B, and R-2 zones shall not exceed the following height limits, unless a deviation from the distance requirement has been approved in accordance with section 17.808.120.

zones shall not exceed the following height limits, unless a in accordance with section 17.808.120.	deviation from the distance requirement has been approved
Distance (feet)	Height (feet)
0-39	45
40-79	55
80+	65

C. Density. The minimum and maximum densities are established in the general plan.
D. Lot coverage. There is no lot coverage requirement.
E. Floor area ratios. Minimum and maximum floor area ratios are established in the general plan. (Ord. 2013-0020

§ 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)

17.216.730 C-2 zone-Setbacks. ¶

A. Front-yard setback. No minimum or maximum front-yard setback is required.
B. Street side-yard setback. No minimum or maximum street side-yard setback is required.
C. Interior side-yard setback.

Unless paragraph 2 of this subsection applies, there is no required minimum interior side-yard setback.
If the interior side yard of a lot is adjacent to an R- or OB-zoned lot and is not separated by an alley, the required minimum interior side-yard setback is five feet.

D. Rear-yard setback.

Unless paragraph 2 of this subsection applies, there is no minimum rear-yard setback.
If the rear yard of a lot is adjacent to an R-zoned or OB-zoned lot and is not separated by an alley, 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. 2017-0061 § 43; Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)

17.216.740 C-2 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)

17.216.750 C-2 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 § 44; Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)

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