Article I — M-1 Zone-Light Industrial Zone
Sacramento Zoning Code · 2026-07 edition · updated 2026-09-09 · Sacramento
17.220.100 M-1 zone-Purpose.¶
The purpose of the M-1 zone is to permit the manufacture or treatment of goods. (Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)
17.220.110 M-1 zone-Permitted uses.¶
A. The following uses are permitted by right in the M-1 zone, subject to the limitations specified:
| Use | Limitations |
|---|---|
| 1. Residential Uses | |
| Dwelling, multi-unit | Permitted in the central city, subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.117 |
| Low barrier navigation center | Permitted in the central city |
| Residential care facility | |
| Residential hotel | Permitted in the central city, subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.112 |
| Temporaryresidential shelter(100 or fewer individuals) | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.600 et seq. |
| 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 | |
| Auto-sales, storage, rental | Permitted if use is locatedgreater than ½ mile from the center of an existingorproposed light rail stationplatform |
| Auto-service, repair | Permitted if use is locatedgreater than ½ mile from the center of an existingorproposed light rail stationplatform |
| Childcare center | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.113 |
| College extension | |
| Community clinic | Permitted if— 1. Use is limited to 10,000 gross square feet per parcel, or up to 25% of gross floor area of a building(s) per parcel, whichever is greater; or 2. Use—a) does not exceed 40,000 gross square feet per parcel; b) is in a building with an FAR of 0.4 or greater; and c) is located within ¼ mile of the center of a light rail station platform. Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.118 . |
| Commercial service | This use is limited to 40,000gross square feet; if use exceeds this limitation, a conditional usepermit is required; |
| Area calculation does not include areas that are notpubliclyaccessible | |
| Communitymarket | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.124 |
| Equipment-rental, salesyard | Permitted if use is locatedgreater than ½ mile from the center of an existingorproposed light rail stationplatform; |
| Repair workpermitted if confined to building | |
| Gas station | Gas stations capable of simultaneously fueling not more than 10 vehicles are permitted if use is located greater than ½ mile from the center of an existingorproposed light rail stationplatform; |
| Repair workpermitted if confined to building | |
| 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 | |
| Mini storage; locker building | Permitted if use is locatedgreater than ½ mile from the center of an existingorproposed light rail stationplatform; |
| Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.106 | |
| Mobilehome sales, storage | Repair work ispermitted if confined to a building |
| Mortuary; crematory | |
| Museum | |
| Non-profit organization, foodpreparation for off-site consumption | Entire business, includingstorage and display, shall be conducted within a building |
| Non-profit organization, food storage and distribution | Entire business, includingstorage and display, shall be conducted within a building |
| Nonresidential care facility | |
| Office | Permitted if— 1. Use is limited to 10,000 gross square feet per parcel, or up to 25% of gross floor area of a building(s) per parcel, whichever is greater; or 2. Use—a) does not exceed 40,000 gross square feet per parcel; b) is in a building with an FAR of 0.4 or greater; and c) is located within ¼ mile of the center of a light rail stationplatform. |
| Plant nursery | Permitted if use is locatedgreater than ½ mile from the center of an existingorproposed light rail stationplatform |
| Restaurant | |
| Retail store | This use is limited to 40,000 gross square feet; if use exceeds this limitation, a conditional use permit is required; Area calculation does not include areas that are notpubliclyaccessible |
| 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 tobaccoproducts and tobaccoparaphernalia does not exceed 250 square feet. |
| Towingservice; vehicle storageyard | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.107 |
| Transit vehicle-service, repair, storage | |
| 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 | Permitted if use is locatedgreater than ½ mile from the center of an existingorproposed light rail stationplatform |
| 3. Industrial and Agricultural Uses | |
| Aquaculture | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.810 et seq. |
| Cannabis testing | Subject to special use regulations in article IX of chapter 17.228 |
| Contractor storageyard | |
|---|---|
| Laboratory, research | |
| Lumberyard, retail | |
| Manufacturing, service, and repair | Permitted if use is locatedgreater than ½ mile from the center of an existingorproposed light rail stationplatform |
| Passenger terminal | |
| Railroad ROW | Maybe used for railroad tracks or spur tracks; |
| Loading and unloading platforms or structures may be located on a railroad right-of-way only if: (i) the abutting property is located within a C-4 or M zone, and (ii) no residential zoning is within 300 feet of said facility on the same side of the right-of-way |
|
| Solar energysystem, commercial(city property) | Allowed in this zone and exempt from theprovisions of this title |
| Terminalyard, trucking | |
| Tractor or heavytruck sales, storage, rental | |
| Tractor or heavytruck service, repair | |
| Warehouse; distribution center | Permitted if use is locatedgreater than ½ mile from the center of an existingorproposed light rail stationplatform |
B. Conditional uses. The following uses in the M-1 zone require approval of a conditional use permit, subject to the conditions specified:
| Use | Limitations | Approval Required by: Planning and Design Commission (PDC); Zoning Administrator (ZA); or City Council (CC) |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Residential Uses | ||
| Dwelling, multi-unit | Permitted outside the central city if use is located less than ¼ mile from the center of a light rail stationplatform; Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.117 |
ZA |
| Low barrier navigation center | Permitted outside the central city if use is located less than ¼ mile from the center of a light rail stationplatform |
ZA |
| Mobilehomepark | PDC | |
| Residential hotel | Permitted outside the central city if use is located less than ¼ mile from the center of a light rail stationplatform, subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.112 |
ZA |
| Temporary residential shelter (more than 100 individuals) |
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 usepermit, subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.127, 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, includingstorage and display, is conducted within a building; or |
||
| 2. Use is located greater than ¼ mile but less than or equal to ½ mile from the center of an existing orproposed light rail stationplatform. |
||
| Auto-service, repair | Permitted with a conditional use permit if 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 |
PDC |
| Bar; nightclub | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.108 | PDC |
| Cannabis dispensary | Subject to special use regulations in article IX of chapter 17.228 | ZA/PDC |
| Cardroom | Subject to licensingregulations in chapter 5.32; | |
| A cardroom may not be located within 1,000 feet, measured from the nearest property lines of the affectedparcels, 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-cashingcenter | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.121 | PDC |
| College campus | PDC | |
| Commercial service | Permitted with a conditional use permit if use exceeds 40,000 gross square feet; permitted by right if use does not exceed 40,000gross square feet; |
|
| Area calculation does not include areas that are notpubliclyaccessible | ZA | |
| Correctional facility | PDC | |
| Drive-in theater | PDC | |
| Drive-through restaurant | Permitted with a conditional usepermit if- | PDC |
| 1. Use is located greater than ¼ mile but less than or equal to ½ mile from the center of an existing orproposed light rail stationplatform, 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. |
||
| Prohibited in the Central City unless the drive-through facility is within 500 feet of freeway right-of- way. |
||
| Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.109 | ||
| Equipment-rental, sales yard | Permitted with a conditional use permit if use is located within ½ mile from the center of an existing orproposed light rail stationplatform, subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.127; |
|
| Repair work permitted if confined to building | PDC | |
| Firearms business | PDC | |
| Gas station | Gas stations capable of simultaneously fueling not more than 10 vehicles are permitted with a conditional use permit if 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. |
|
| Gas stations capable of simultaneously fueling more than 10 vehicles are permitted with a conditional usepermit 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 and within 500 feet of a freeway right-of-way, roadway with six or more lanes, or city truck route or Surface Transportation Assistance Act truck route designated bythe citycouncil, 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, roadway with six or more lanes, or city truck route or Surface Transportation Assistance Act truck route designated by the city council (subject to the council call-up provisions in section 17.228.127) |
||
| Repair workpermitted if confined to building |
| Golf course; drivingrange | PDC | |
|---|---|---|
| Gun range; rifle range | Shall, at a minimum, meet the requirements established bythe National Rifle Association for ranges | 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 | |
| Mini storage; locker building | Permitted with a conditional use permit if 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; |
|
| Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.106 | PDC | |
| Non-profit organization, meal service facility | PDC | |
| Office | PDC |
| Use | Limitations | Approval Required by: Planning and Design Commission (PDC); Zoning Administrator (ZA); or City Council (CC) |
|---|---|---|
| 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 anyapplicable development standards related to theproposed outdoor market |
ZA |
| Plant nursery | Permitted with a conditional use permit if use is located within ½ mile from the center of an existing orproposed light rail stationplatform, 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 40,000gross square feet; |
|
| Area calculation does not include areas that are notpubliclyaccessible | 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Wholesale store | Permitted with a conditional use permit if use is located within ½ mile from the center of an existing orproposed light rail stationplatform, subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.127 |
PDC |
| 3. Industrial and Agricultural Uses | ||
| Airport | PDC | |
| Animal slaughter | PDC | |
| Antenna; telecommunications facility | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.300 et seq. | PDC |
| Auto dismantler | PDC | |
| Boat dock; marina | PDC | |
| Cannabis dispensary | Subject to special use regulations in article IX of chapter 17.228 | ZA/PDC |
| Community garden,private | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.810 et seq. | ZA |
| Fuel storageyard | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.120 | PDC |
| Hazardous waste facility | Must be consistent with the provisions of the Sacramento County hazardous waste management plan |
PDC |
| 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 |
| Junkyard | PDC | |
| Livestockyard | PDC | |
| Manufacturing, service, and repair | Permitted with a conditional use permit if use is located within ½ mile from the center of an existing orproposed light rail stationplatform, subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.127 |
PDC |
| Marketgarden | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.810 et seq. | ZA |
| Public utility yard | PDC | |
| Recyclingfacility | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.400 et seq. | ZA/PDC |
| Solar energy system, commercial (non-city property) |
Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.123 | ZA |
| Solid waste landfill | PDC | |
| Solid waste transfer station | PDC | |
| Surface miningoperation | Subject toprovisions of chapter 17.720 | PDC |
| Warehouse; distribution center | Permitted with a conditional use permit if 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 |
PDC |
| Well-gas, oil | PDC |
C. Accessory uses. The following uses are permitted in the M-1 zone when accessory to a permitted or conditional use, subject to the limitations specified:
| Use | Limitations |
|---|---|
| Accessoryantenna | |
| Accessorydrive-through facility | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.110 |
| Childcare, in-home(familydaycare home) | |
| Common area | |
| Dwellingunit, accessory | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.105 |
| Dwellingunit,junior accessory | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.105 |
| Familycare facility | |
| Familydaycare facility | |
| Home occupation | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.200 et seq. |
| Privategarden | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.810 et seq. |
| Recyclingfacility, convenience | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.400 et seq. |
| Tastingroom, on-site | Limited to on-site consumption and off-site sales of malt beverages or wineproduced on thepremises |
| Urban beekeeping | Subject to section 9.44.330 |
| Watchperson'squarters | The structure shall be limited to 1,000 square feet |
D. Prohibited uses. All uses not listed as permitted, accessory, or conditional uses are prohibited in the M-1 zone. (Ord. 2026-0010 § 10; Ord. 2026-0001 § 17; Ord. 2025-0007 § 14; Ord. 2024-0054 § 30; Ord. 2024-0051 § 7; Ord. 2024-0017 § 36; Ord. 2021-0024 § 11; Ord. 2021-0023 § 32; Ord. 2020-0025 § 14; Ord. 2020-0021 § 33; Ord. 2020-0012 § 8; Ord. 2019-0027 § 15; Ord. 2019-008 § 2; Ord. 2018-0055 § 8; Ord. 2017-0061 § 51; Ord. 2017-0059 § 7; Ord. 2017-0056 § 7; Ord. 2017-0029 § 5; Ord. 2017-0028 § 6; Ord. 2016-0050 § 7; Ord. 2016-0016 § 10; Ord. 2016-0006 § 6; Ord. 2016-0001 § 24; Ord. 2015-0005 § 32; Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0018 § 18; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)
17.220.120 Reserved.
17.220.130 M-1 zone-Height, density, and floor area ratios.
A. Height. The maximum height is 70 feet.
B. Density. There is no maximum density.
C. Floor area ratios. Minimum and maximum floor area ratios are established in the general plan. (Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)
17.220.140 M-1 zone-Setbacks.¶
A. Front-yard setback. There is no minimum front-yard setback.
B. Street side-yard setback. There is no minimum street side-yard setback.
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 the side of an R- or OB-zoned lot and is not separated by an alley, the minimum side-yard setback is five feet.
- D. Rear-yard setback.
Unless paragraph 2 of this subsection applies, no minimum rear-yard setback is required.
If the rear lot line abuts the side of an R- 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. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)
17.220.150 M-1 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. 20130007 § 1)
17.220.160 M-1 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 § 52; Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)
Get a plain-English answer with a citation back to this text.
Ask AI about this code▸Contents — Sacramento Zoning Code
- Chapter 15.04
- Chapter 15.08
- Chapter 15.12
- Chapter 15.16
- Chapter 15.20
- Chapter 15.24
- Chapter 15.32
- Chapter 15.34
- Chapter 15.40
- Chapter 15.44
- Chapter 15.48
- Chapter 15.52
- Chapter 15.60
- Chapter 15.64
- Chapter 15.72
- Chapter 15.76
- Chapter 15.80
- Chapter 15.84
- Part 1 — PROJECT INFORMATION SHEET
- Part 2 — CERTIFICATION OF INSTALLATION ACCORDING TO THE LANDSC…
- Division I
▸Division II
Overview- Chapter 17.200
- Chapter 17.204
- Chapter 17.208
- Chapter 17.212
- Chapter 17.216
▸Chapter 17.220
Overview- Article I — M-1 Zone-Light Industrial Zone
- Article II — M-1(S) Zone-Light Industrial Zone
- Article III — M-2 Zone-Heavy Industrial Zone
- Article IV — M-2(S) Zone-Heavy Industrial Zone
- Article V — MIP Zone-Manufacturing-Industrial Park Zone
- Article VI — MRD Zone-Manufacturing, Research and Development …
- Article VII — M-T Zone-M-T Industrial and Transit-Area Zone
- Chapter 17.224
- Chapter 17.228
- Chapter 17.232
- Division III
- Division IV
- Division V
- Division VI
- Division VII
- Division VIII
- Division IX
- Title 18