Title
An Ordinance Amending Section 15.08.070 of and Adding Chapter 17.868 to the Sacramento City Code, Relating to Ministerial Approval of Development Projects of 10 or Fewer Dwelling Units on Urban Lots (M25-008) [Published 10/03/2025]
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FileID
File ID: 2025-01145
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Location
Location: Citywide
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Recommendation
Recommendation: Conduct a public hearing and upon conclusion, pass a Motion recommending the City Council approve an Ordinance amending section 15.08.070 and adding Chapter 17.868 to the Sacramento City Code, related to ministerial approval of development projects of 10 or fewer dwelling units on urban lots.
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Contact
Contact: Jamie Mosler, Associate Planner, (916) 808-7875, jmosler@cityofsacramento.org; Kevin Colin, Zoning Administrator, (916) 808-5260, kcolin@cityofsacramento.org; Community Development Department
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Presenter
Presenter: Jamie Mosler, Associate Planner, (916) 808-7875, jmosler@cityofsacramento.org, Community Development Department
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Attachments
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-Background
3-October 24, 2024 Planning and Design Commission Meeting Summary
4-Community Engagement Summary
5-Ordinance (Redlines Since October 2024)
6-Ordinance (All Redlines)
7-Ordinance (Clean)
8-Presentation
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Description/Analysis
IssueDetail
Issue Detail: Senate Bill (SB) 684 (2023, Caballero) was signed by the Governor on October 11, 2023, and became effective on July 1, 2024. It was subsequently amended by SB 1123 (2024, Caballero), signed by the Governor on September 19, 2024, and Assembly Bill (AB) 130 (2025, Committee on Budget) signed on June 30, 2025. Both SB 1123 and AB 130 went into effect on July 1, 2025.
Together these bills establish a statewide mandate requiring all cities and counties to ministerially approve eligible housing developments and subdivisions with 10 or fewer dwelling units on 10 or fewer lots. The legislation further permits applicants to obtain building permits earlier than allowed under current procedures, prior to final subdivision map recordation.
These bills prescribe statewide standards, allow for the application of certain local standards, and provide local governments with choices on certain standards and procedures. While the legislation does not require a local ordinance, staff recommends adoption of a local ordinance to establish clear procedures for local implementation. Staff’s recommendations are included in Attachment 2.
On October 24, 2024, staff presented a draft ordinance to the Planning and Design Commission as part of the annual Title 17 ”omnibus” ordinance. The Commission continued the ordinance to a date uncertain with direction that staff conduct additional outreach and provide further information. A summary of this meeting is provided in Attachment 3.
Subsequently, staff conducted additional analysis and facilitated a focus group meeting with interested stakeholders on April 22, 2025. Feedback from this meeting is summarized in Attachment 4.
The recommended ordinance includes revisions responsive to Commission direction and stakeholder input. It also includes new provisions required by SB 1123 and AB 130.
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PolicyConsiderations
Policy Considerations: The ordinance advances the following goals and policies of the 2040 General Plan:
Land Use Element
Policy LUP-6.3: Variety of Housing Types. The City shall promote the development of a greater variety of housing types and sizes in all existing and new growth communities to meet the needs of future demographics and changing household sizes, including the following: single-unit homes on small lots, accessory dwelling units, tiny homes, alley-facing units, townhomes, lofts, live-work spaces, duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, cottage/bungalow courts, neighborhood-scale multi-unit buildings, and senior and student housing.
Staff Analysis: The ordinance supports Policy LUP-6.3 by establishing clear regulations implementing SB 684 and SB 1123, facilitating the ministerial approval of single-unit homes on smaller lots and townhomes without setback requirements between units. Additionally, the ordinance incorporates standards for accessory dwelling units, further promoting the inclusion of a variety of housing types within these developments.
Housing Element
Policy H-2.3.2: Streamlined Application and Building Process. The City shall continue to facilitate interdepartmental review of development applications, encourage pre-application meetings with planning and building staff, and streamline the overall planning application and building process for all development types.
Policy H-2.3.5: Clear Development Standards and Approval Procedures. The City shall maintain and administer clear development standards, and approval procedures for a variety of housing types, including, but not limited to, multifamily housing and emergency shelters.
Staff Analysis: The ordinance advances Policy H-2.3.2 and Policy H-2.3.5 by establishing clear procedures and standards aligned with a state law. In doing so, the ordinance reduces ambiguity and minimizes processing delays, promoting a streamlined and efficient review process.
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EconomicImpacts
Economic Impacts: None.
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EnvironmentalConsiderations
Environmental Considerations: Pursuant to SB 684, SB 1123, and AB 130, an ordinance to implement the provisions of these bills is not considered a project under CEQA. (Government Code, §§ 65852.28(e), 65913.4.5(b), and 66499.41(i)).
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Sustainability
Sustainability: The proposed ordinance helps to make state legislation easier to understand and implement. This will help facilitate development in the City in a manner consistent with existing policy, including that relating to sustainability.
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Commission/Committee Action
Commission/Committee Action: On August 21, 2024, the Planning Director initiated, pursuant to City Code section 17.916.010.A, a local ordinance to implement Senate Bill 684.
On October 24, 2024, the Planning and Design Commission conducted a public hearing on four ordinances related to Planning and Development. The Commission forwarded three ordinances, as presented, to the City Council for consideration and continued consideration of the ordinance for SB 684 to a date uncertain.
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RationaleforRecommendation
Rationale for Recommendation: Staff recommends the Planning and Design Commission pass a motion forwarding a recommendation of approval to the City Council. The proposed ordinance helps to refine the City’s Planning and Development Code to ensure consistency with new state legislation, which supports several goals and policies of the General Plan.
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FinancialConsiderations
Financial Considerations: Not applicable.
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LocalBusinessEnterprise
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Not applicable.
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