Missing Middle Housing

Missing Middle Housing (MMH) Interim Ordinance

On September 17, the Sacramento City Council unanimously adopted the Missing Middle Housing Interim Ordinance, becoming the first in the State to allow multi-unit housing in every neighborhood.

The City of Sacramento is now accepting applications for neighborhood-scale multi-unit development under the Missing Middle Housing Interim Ordinance (ORD2024-0027).

A "Form-Based" Approach

a sliding scale of various housing sizes ranging from single units to 12+ units. open_in_full

The City of Sacramento is taking a “form-based” approach to residential development in existing neighborhoods, regulating the building form and scale instead of the number of units.

  • As of October 17, 2024, residential projects within the R-1, R-1A, R-1B, and R-2 zones are allowed additional building area per the Sliding Floor Area Ratio (FAR) Scale, up to the maximum FAR allowed by the 2040 General Plan
  • The Sliding FAR Scale limits the building area allowed, not the number of units. The number of units shown on the scale is the minimum unit count that must be provided in order to earn more FAR. 
  • All development is still subject to objective development standards, including height, setbacks, lot dimensions, and design review/bulk control standards. 
  • With few exceptions, no onsite parking is required by the City code. 
  • Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) do not count toward the minimum unit count or a site’s maximum FAR. 
  • Property can be further subdivided to allow the sale of units.

Review this Illustration Guide for visual exhibits intended to illustrate the main concepts and provisions of the ordinance.

For more information, please see the resources provided on this page or contact the City of Sacramento, Planning Division, at planning@cityofsacramento.org.

What projects will be subject to the ordinance?

The ordinance applies to projects that meet all of the following criteria:

  1. Site is zoned R-1, R-1A, R-1B, or R-2 
  2. Site is not located within specified airport safety zones (refer to ordinance and verify on the Land Information Lookup App's airport influence area layer) 
  3. Development proposal includes:
        - Two or more primary dwelling units on a lot; or
        - Single-unit dwelling on a lot between 1,200 and 2,899 square feet. 

Applicants can elect to apply the ordinance to single-unit dwelling development on a lot that is greater than or equal to 2,900 square feet.

Projects must also meet the anti-displacement findings of the ordinance to receive approval. The project shall not result in any of the following:

  1. Fewer dwelling units than existed at the time planning entitlement is approved, 
  2. Demolition of a dwelling unit that was covered by a rental or lease agreement that was in effect within 365 days before planning entitlement is approved, or
  3. Demolition of one or more dwelling units covered by an affordable-housing regulatory agreement.  

How to submit a planning entitlement application?

Development proposals applied under this ordinance will be reviewed through the City’s discretionary Site Plan and Design Review (SPDR) process. Generally, Forms CDD-0063 and CDD-0022 will need to be completed and submitted.

Please visit e-Planning for details on how to submit a planning entitlement application.

Contact us

If you have any questions about Missing Middle Housing please email us at Planning

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