Chapter 17.868 — Sacramento Zoning Code

Ministerial Approval of Development Projects of 10 or Fewer Dwelling Units on Urban Lots

Sections:
17.868.010 Purpose and intent.
17.868.020 Application requirements.
17.868.030 General requirements.
17.868.040 Housing developments eligible for ministerial review under California Government Code section 65852.28.
17.868.050 Subdivision maps eligible for ministerial review under California Government Code section 66499.41.
17.868.010 Purpose and intent.
The purpose of this chapter is to comply with California Government Code sections 65852.28 and 66499.41 related to housing developments and subdivision maps that are eligible for ministerial
review. (Ord. 2025-0038 § 3)
17.868.020 Application requirements.
A. Administrative permit. A development project consisting of both a housing development and a subdivision map will be granted an administrative permit if it complies with the requirements
of this chapter, except as provided in subsection F. An application made pursuant to this chapter must include both a housing development and subdivision map.
B. Conflicting laws. In the case of a conflict between the standards in this chapter and standards set forth in CaliforniaGovernment Code	sections 65852.28 and 66499.41, the provisions of
the CaliforniaGovernment Code prevail.
C. Approval or denial. An application submitted pursuant to this chapter must either be approved or denied within 60 days from the date	the city receives a complete application. If denied, the
city shall provide the applicant with a written list of items that are defective or deficient and a description of how the applicant can remedy the application.
D. Deemed approval. If the city does not deny the application in accordance with subsection C above, the project will be deemed to satisfy the requirements of this chapter and will be granted
an administrative permit and administratively-approved tentative map.
E. Time to resubmit. Notwithstanding section 17.800.050, if an application for an administrative permit under this chapter is denied pursuant to subsection C above, a new application may be
filed at any time.
F. Findings for denial. An application made pursuant to this chapter may be denied for reasons unrelated to noncompliance with the requirements of this chapter if, based upon a
preponderance of the evidence, the city determines the proposed housing development project or subdivision map would have a specific, adverse impact (as defined in California Government
Code section 65589.5, subdivision (d)(2)), upon public health and safety for which there is no feasible method to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid the specific, adverse impact. (Ord. 2025-0038 § 3)
17.868.030 General requirements.
A. An application under this chapter must be for a housing development and subdivision map located on a site that satisfies all the following—
1. The site is located within one or more of following—
a. R-1, R-1A, R-1B, R-2, R-2A, R-2B, R-3, R-3A, R-4, R-4A, R-5, RMX, RO, OB, OB-2, OB-3, EC, SC, C-1, C-2, C-3, or M-T zones;
b. C-4, M-1, M-1(S), M-2, or M-2(S) zones located within the central city; or
c. RE zone if the site is vacant (as defined in CaliforniaGovernment Code section 66499.41, subdivision (a)(2));
2. The site meets the locational criteria in California Government Code sections 65852.28 and 66499.41;
3. The site was not established under this chapter, including a designated remainder parcel described in section 17.868.050.A.2, or section 17.864.030; and
4. If located on a site identified in the city's 2021-2029 housing element, the site has a total capacity of 10 or fewer dwelling units, as shown		in the housing element sites inventory table.
(Ord. 2025-0038 § 3)
17.868.040 Housing developments eligible for ministerial review under California Government Code section 65852.28.
A. Development standards.
1. Height. The maximum height of the applicable zone applies, unless that requirement would physically preclude a housing development proposed to be built to the density of 30 dwelling
units per acre.
2. Density.
a. The maximum density is 10 dwelling units.
b. Accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units are not included in the calculation of density.
c. If located on a site not identified in the city's 2021-2029 housing element—
i. If the applicable zone includes a maximum density, the minimum density is the greater of the following—
(A) 66% of the maximum allowable residential density; or
(B) 19.8 dwelling units per acre;
ii. If the applicable zone does not include a maximum density, the minimum density is 19.8 dwelling units per acre; and
iii. The area of any designated remainder parcel described in section 17.868.050.A.2 is excluded from the calculation of residential density under this subsection.
d. If located on a site identified in the city's 2021-2029 housing element—
i. The minimum density is equal to the total capacity of dwelling units, as shown in the housing element site inventory table; and
ii. All low or very low-income units specified in the city's 2021-2029 housing element for that site are required for a period of at least 45 years.
3. Floor area ratio.
a. If there are fewer than 3 dwelling units, the maximum floor area ratio standards established in the general plan apply, unless that requirement would physically preclude a housing
development proposed to be built to the density of 30 dwelling units per acre.
b. If there are 3 to 7 dwelling units, the maximum floor area ratio is 1.0, or the maximum floor area ratio established in the general plan, whichever is greater.
c. If there are 8 to 10 dwelling units, the maximum floor area ratio is 1.25, or the maximum floor area ratio established in the general	plan,	whichever is greater.

Sections:
4. Maximum area. The average floor area of dwelling units may not exceed 1,750 net habitable square feet (as defined inGovernment	Code	section 66499.41, subdivision (a)(6)).
5. Lot coverage. The lot coverage of the applicable zone applies, unless that requirement would physically preclude a housing development		proposed to be built to the density of 30 dwelling
units per acre.

Setbacks.

a. Front-yard setback. The front-yard setback of the applicable zone applies, unless that requirement would physically preclude a housing development proposed to be built to the density of 30 dwelling units per net acre.

b. Interior side-yard setback. The minimum interior side-yard setback is four feet unless a less restrictive setback is required by the applicable zone.
c. Street side-yard setback. The minimum street side-yard setback is four feet unless a less restrictive setback is required by the applicable zone.
d. Rear-yard setback. The minimum rear-yard setback is four feet unless a less restrictive setback is required by the applicable zone.
e. Notwithstanding subsections 6.a, 6.b, 6.c, and 6.d above-
i. No setback is required for an existing structure, or a structure constructed in the same location and to the same dimensions as an existing structure.
ii. No setback is required between dwelling units. All dwelling units must comply with the applicable standards in title 15 of the Sacramento	City Code.
B. Design standards. The city's objective design standards apply as provided for in CaliforniaGovernment Code section 65852.28 and as set forth in the		Citywide Infill Housing Design
Standards.
C. Parking. No vehicle parking spaces are required. If any vehicle parking spaces are provided, they must comply with the applicable objective standards set forth in chapter 17.608.
D. Other standards.
1. Before issuance of a certificate of occupancy or final inspection for any dwelling unit with alley access, the alley must be named as required	by the city and a street sign must be installed
as required by the city.
2. All other applicable city objective standards apply.
3. All requirements of California Government Code sections 65852.28 and 66499.41 apply.
4. All objective standards set forth in an applicable Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan, adopted pursuant to California Public Utilities Code sections 21670 through 21679.5, apply. (Ord.
2025-0038 § 3)
17.868.050 Subdivision maps eligible for ministerial review under California Government Code section 66499.41.
A. An application made pursuant to this chapter must include a subdivision map that satisfies all the requirements in CaliforniaGovernment Code	section	66499.41 and is subject to all the
following:
1. The site proposed to be subdivided must be—
i. 5 acres or less; or
ii. 1.5 acres or less if located within the RE zone.
2. The proposed subdivision must result in 10 or fewer parcels, not including a designated remainder parcel, as defined in CaliforniaGovernment Code		section 66424.6, that—
i. Retains existing land uses or structures;
ii. Does not contain any new dwelling units; and
iii. Is not exclusively dedicated to serving the housing development project
3. The minimum parcel size is—
i. 600 square feet; or
ii. 1,200 square feet if located in the RE zone.
4. There is no minimum or maximum standard for lot width, lot depth, or frontage.
5. All applicable objective Subdivision Map Act and city map requirements apply.
6. All parcels will be served by the city's water and sewer systems in accordance with title 13 of the Sacramento City Code.
7. The California Building Standards Code, as set forth in title 24 of the California Code of Regulations and title 15 of the Sacramento City Code apply.
8. The subdivision will not result in any existing dwelling unit being alienable separate from the title to any other existing dwelling unit on the site.
B. The subdivider may sell, lease, or finance any parcel resulting from a subdivision under this section if the parcel is the subject of a valid or expired administrative permit for a housing
development that complies with section 17.868.040. This does not apply to a designated remainder parcel described in section 17.868.050.A.2.
C. A remainder parcel designated on a map for a subdivision under this section may not be sold until after—

The final map for the subdivision approved under this section is recorded; and
A certificate of compliance for the remainder parcel is recorded; provided, however, no application for the certificate of compliance for the remainder parcel may be filed before the final map is recorded.

D. Subdivisions created in accordance with this chapter that result in four or more lots, not including a designated remainder parcel described in section 17.868.050.A.2, may be further subdivided under section 17.864.030. (Ord. 2025-0038 § 3)