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Sacramento, CA Code of Ordinances
SACRAMENTO CITY CODE
CHARTER
Title 1 GENERAL PROVISIONS
Title 2 ADMINISTRATION AND PERSONNEL
Title 3 REVENUE AND FINANCE
Title 4 ETHICS AND OPEN GOVERNMENT
Title 5 BUSINESS LICENSES AND REGULATIONS
Title 6 (RESERVED)
Title 7 (RESERVED)
Title 8 HEALTH AND SAFETY
Title 9 PUBLIC PEACE, MORALS AND WELFARE
Title 10 VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC
Title 11 (RESERVED)
Title 12 STREETS, SIDEWALKS AND PUBLIC PLACES
Title 13 PUBLIC SERVICES
Title 14 (RESERVED)
Title 15 BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION
Title 16 (Reserved)
Title 17 PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT CODE
Division I GENERAL PROVISIONS
Division II ZONING DISTRICTS AND LAND USE REGULATIONS
Division III OVERLAY ZONES
Division IV SPECIAL PLANNING DISTRICTS AND PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENTS
Division V INFRASTRUCTURE DESIGN AND IMPROVEMENT STANDARDS
Division VI ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN AND SITE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS, DESIGN REVIEW DISTRICTS, HISTORIC PRESERVATION, AND REGISTERED HOUSE PLANS
Division VII CITY-WIDE PROGRAMS
Division VIII ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
Division IX ADMINISTRATION OF GENERAL PLAN AND PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT CODE
Title 18 ADDITIONAL DEVELOPMENT REQUIREMENTS
TABLES
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17.600.105   Architectural design for single-unit dwellings.
The architectural standards in this section apply to single-unit dwellings.
   A.   Main entrance. The primary dwelling entrance shall be accessed from the front yard or street side yard and shall be oriented to and visible from a street. If the dwelling has steps leading to an entry visible from any street, the steps and any enclosure surrounding the steps shall be attached to a permanent foundation and designed and constructed as an integral part of the exterior of the dwelling.
   B.   Foundation; exterior appearance of foundation.
      1.   The dwelling shall have a solid or perimeter foundation. Alternatively, if the dwelling has a pier foundation, interior foundation, or other type of foundation that is not a solid or perimeter foundation, the dwelling shall have a solid perimeter curb or skirt made of concrete, masonry, or other solid nonmetal, all-weather material.
      2.   The covering material used on a substantial portion of each exterior perimeter wall of the dwelling shall touch or overlap the foundation or the solid perimeter curb or skirt.
   C.   Roofing overhang. The dwelling shall have eave and gable overhangs of not less than one foot measured from the vertical exterior side of the structure, unless the overhangs would be incompatible with the overall architectural style of the structure, as determined by the design director.
   D.   Roofing material. No dwelling shall have a roof covered with continuous rolled metal.
   E.   Exterior siding. No dwelling shall have exterior perimeter walls covered with corrugated or reflective metal siding.
   F.   Windows on front façade required. The dwelling shall have windows on the front façade with views from active use areas such as living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, and kitchens.
   G.   Minimum width and depth. The dwelling shall have a minimum width and depth of 20 feet in the R-1 and R-2 zones.
   H.   Garages and carports.
      1.   A garage or carport may be attached to or detached from the dwelling. The roofing material on a garage or carport shall be the same as the roofing material used on the dwelling. The exterior covering material used on a garage or carport shall be the same as an exterior covering material used on a substantial portion of the dwelling.
      2.   Garages and carports shall be set back from the front property line farther than, or equal to, the front façade of the dwelling. An enclosed garage or carport shall meet the residential accessory building and use regulations in chapter 17.624.
   I.   Mobilehomes not permitted in central city. A mobilehome used as a single-unit dwelling is not permitted within the central city. (Ord. 2019-0022 § 3; Ord. 2017-0061 § 71; Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)
17.600.110   Architectural design for duplex dwellings.
The architectural standards in this section apply to duplex dwellings in the R-1 and R-1B zones.
   A.   Main entrance.
      1.   Except as provided in subsection A.2 below, a duplex dwelling on a corner lot shall have the main entrance and driveway of each dwelling unit on different streets.
      2.   When a corner lot fronts on an arterial or collector street on one side and a local street on another side, the driveways and dwelling unit entrances may be located on the local street.
   B.   Minimum setbacks for duplex dwellings. The minimum setback requirements of the applicable zone apply to the duplex dwelling, and not to the individual dwelling units.
   C.   Open space in the R-1B zone only. In the R-1B zone, each dwelling unit in a newly constructed building shall have a minimum of 150 square feet of private open space beyond the minimum required front-yard, rear-yard, and side-yard setbacks.
   D.   Garages and carports. A garage or carport may be attached to or detached from each dwelling unit. The roofing material on a garage or carport shall be the same as the roofing material used on the dwelling. The exterior covering material used on a garage or carport shall be the same as an exterior covering material used on a substantial portion of the dwelling. Garages and carports shall be set back from the front property line farther than, or equal to, the front façade of the dwelling. An enclosed garage or carport shall meet the residential accessory building and use regulations in chapter 17.624.
   E.   Exceptions for subdivided duplex dwelling. The requirements of subsections A, B, C, and D do not apply to an existing duplex dwelling being subdivided to create a separate lot for each dwelling unit, where the existing dwelling units do not meet one or more of these requirements. (Ord. 2024-0017 § 54; Ord. 2019-0022 § 4; Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)
17.600.115   Relocated rear yard for corner lots.
   A.   Single-unit and duplex dwellings. For single-unit or duplex dwellings located on a corner lot, the rear yard may be relocated to the interior side yard of the lot. The minimum rear-yard setback and area standards apply to a relocated rear yard; provided that the rear-yard setback of a relocated rear yard may be less than 15 feet at some locations if the setback is at least five feet along the entire interior side lot boundary.
   B.   Other uses. For all uses other than single-unit and duplex dwellings located on a corner lot, the planning and design commission may, in approving site plan and design review, allow a relocated rear yard in accordance with subsection A of this section; provided, that the relocated rear yard meets the rear-yard setback and area requirements of subsection A. (Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)
17.600.120   Requirements for through-lots.
   A.   If a through-lot has a depth of less than 125 feet, one street frontage may be considered the front of the lot and the other street frontage may be considered the rear of the lot.
   B.   If a through-lot has a depth of 125 feet or more, each street frontage shall be considered a front yard. For through lots zoned R-1, the lot may have two dwellings constructed on the lot subject to the following requirements:
      1.   For purposes of applying development standards, the lot will be treated as two lots (deemed lots), with a common rear lot line approximately equally distant from the front lot lines;
      2.   Each deemed lot shall have an area of not less than 2,500 square feet;
      3.   The setback requirements of the R-1 zone shall apply; and
      4.   Each street frontage shall have public access approved by the public works department. (Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)
17.600.125   Allowable projections into required setback areas.
Every part of a required setback shall be open and unobstructed from its lowest point to the sky, except as permitted in this section.
   A.   Chimneys and eaves may project into any required setback up to a maximum of two feet.
   B.   A bay window may project:
      1.   Two feet into the required interior side-yard setback, provided that it is at least three feet from the interior side lot line; and
      2.   Two feet six inches into the required front-yard, street side-yard, or rear-yard setback, provided that it is at least 3 feet from the front, street-side, or rear lot line; but
      3.   Not into any required vehicle parking, access, or maneuvering areas, unless the bay window is located at or above the second level of the building.
   C.   The following structures may project into a required front-yard or street side-yard setback up to 20% of the required depth of the setback if the projection does not encroach into any public utility easement or other public easement of record.
      1.   An uncovered porch.
      2.   A covered porch not exceeding a height of 10 feet, measured from the surface of the porch floor to the plate line of the porch roof.
      3.   An ornamental feature of the main building not exceeding 6 feet in height.
      4.   A projection on the street-front side of the building that does not exceed 20% of the building width on the street-front side.
   D.   Any floor above the first story of a building may project into a required front-yard or street-side yard setback up to a maximum of 2 feet if the projection does not extend into a public right-of-way.
   E.   Unenclosed stairs and ramps may project into any required setback.
   F.   Necessary landings may project into any required setback up to a maximum of 4 feet.
   G.   Fire escapes, solar energy systems, and other structures or mechanical systems may project into any required front-yard, rear-yard, or street side-yard setback up to a maximum of 4 feet.
   H.   Side-yard setbacks for additions to existing single-unit dwellings. Where an existing single-unit or duplex dwelling has been built with less than a 5-foot interior side-yard setback or 12-foot, 6-inch street side-yard setback, the side-yard setback requirement for additions may follow existing building lines, provided that the side-yard setback shall not be reduced below 3 feet. (Ord. 2019-0022 § 5; Ord. 2017-0061 § 72; Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)
17.600.130   Exception to maximum setback to accommodate driveways.
If the maximum required setback is less than the required minimum driveway length, the dwelling may be set back to the minimum required driveway length. (Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)
17.600.135   Open space for multi-unit dwellings.
   A.   A combination of private and common open space shall be provided for new multi-unit dwellings at a ratio of 100 square feet of open space per dwelling unit beyond the minimum required front-yard, side-yard, and rear-yard setbacks.
   B.   Private open space shall have a minimum depth of three feet. Common open space shall have a minimum width or depth of 20 feet.
   C.   Common open space, when provided, shall be:
      1.   Improved with trees, shrubs, living ground cover, decorative paving, seating, trash receptacles, and pedestrian-oriented lighting;
      2.   Located outdoors and open to the sky, though accessory structures or other architectural features such as eaves, balconies, pergolas, gazebos, arcades, and other shade structures may be used for shading; and
      3.   Located where there is regular foot traffic, in view of entrances and windows of adjacent buildings, and designed with landscaping and structures arranged to avoid creating hiding areas.
   D.   Common open space, where provided, may be located on a common lot, provided adequate provisions have been made for the permanent maintenance of the open space areas by a homeowners association or similar mechanism approved by the director.
   E.   Open space may include fountains, public art, children's playgrounds, and outdoor recreation facilities. (Ord. 2021-0024 § 32; Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)
17.600.140   Open space for offices.
   A.   Except in the C-3 zone, open space shall be provided for new office development at a ratio of one square foot of open space for every 15 square feet of office space.
   B.   Open space shall be:
      1.   In the form of courtyards or plazas improved with trees, shrubs, living ground cover, decorative paving, seating, waste bins, and pedestrian-oriented lighting;
      2.   Located outdoors and open to the sky, except that up to 10% of the open space may be covered by structures such as eaves, balconies, pergolas, gazebos, arcades, or other shade structures;
      3.   Located on the same development site as the building it serves;
      4.   Accessible to the public by being located at street level and with security gates, if any, open from dawn to dusk; and
      5.   Located where there is regular foot traffic, in view of entrances and windows of adjacent buildings, and designed with landscaping and structures arranged to avoid creating hiding areas.
   C.   Open space may include fountains, public art, children's playgrounds, and outdoor recreation facilities. (Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)
17.600.145   Roof structures.
   A.   Penthouses not exceeding 50% of the roof area, parapets, spires, elevator towers, flag poles, and solar energy systems and other mechanical appurtenances may be erected on top of a building and exceed the maximum height allowed in the zone by up to 20%.
   B.   A building with a pitched roof may exceed the maximum height allowed in the zone by up to 20% of the maximum, provided that the plate line of the building does not exceed the maximum height allowed in the zone.
   C.   This section does not apply to antennas and telecommunication facilities, which are subject to the land use regulations in Division II. This section does apply to accessory antennas. (Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)
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