City Council - 5PM - 2026-04-14
Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
The Sacramento City Council held a workshop on the 2040 General Plan zoning consistency, focusing on missing middle housing (MMH) and SB 79 implementation. Staff recommended moderate change standards for FAR 1.0 and FAR 2.0 areas, including replacing bulk control with new width/depth standards and allowing 3rd-story pitched roofs. Multiple council members directed staff to remove bulk control restrictions and make it easier to build housing, with Council Member Maple and others expressing concern that proposed restrictions would hinder housing production. The council also recognized Autism Acceptance Month and Transgender Day of Visibility, and honored retiring Community Development Director Tom Pace for his 25+ years of service.
Key Decisions (4)
Missing Middle Housing and SB 79 Zoning Consistency Direction
Council provided direction on 2040 General Plan zoning consistency for missing middle housing. Staff recommended moderate change standards for FAR 1.0 areas (allowing 3rd story with pitched roof) and FAR 2.0 areas (removing bulk control, allowing 3-4 stories). Multiple council members directed staff to remove bulk control restrictions entirely and keep the interim ordinance language while making it easier to build. Council Member Maple, Kaplan, Pluckybaum, and Vang expressed support for removing restrictions. Mayor Pro Tem Guerra requested additional community engagement with neighborhood associations on bulk control.
SB 79 Implementation Approach
Staff recommended a local implementing ordinance for SB 79 (effective July 1, 2025) and codifying SB 79 height standards into commercial and higher intensity residential zones near transit. This would allow projects to utilize SB 79 heights without meeting all state eligibility requirements. SB 79 affects approximately 29,000 parcels in single unit and duplex zones within half mile of transit.
Autism Acceptance Month Recognition
Council recognized April as Autism Acceptance Month, honoring Artism, Impact, and UC Davis MIND Institute for their work supporting autistic individuals and families. Resolution emphasized moving from awareness to acceptance and called for culturally responsive, linguistically accessible care.
Transgender Day of Visibility Recognition
Council recognized March 31st as Transgender Day of Visibility, honoring the Gender Health Center and other LGBTQ+ organizations. A flag was raised at City Hall. Council members Kaplan, Pluckybaum, and Mayor Pro Tem Guerra co-sponsored the presentation.
Zoning Changes (3)
Citywide - FAR 1.0 areas (over 100,000 parcels in single unit and duplex zones)
City of Sacramento
Citywide - FAR 2.0 areas (over 20,000 parcels within half mile of transit)
City of Sacramento
Commercial and higher intensity residential zones near transit (within half mile of transit stops)
City of Sacramento
Development Activity (1)
Missing Middle Housing Interim Ordinance Projects
34 planning applications submitted, 22 approved, 8 in progress as of March 25th. Most common building types are 1-2 dwelling units. Average FAR of 0.4, average density 18 dwelling units per acre, approximately 13 units per application. No projects between 3-20 units have been approved.
Market Signals (5)
Housing Demand
Sacramento's income-normalized rental market is now more expensive than New York City, and starter homes cost almost $500,000 according to Redfin data cited by speakers.
Housing Demand
Only 34 missing middle housing applications submitted in 1.5 years since interim ordinance, with no projects between 3-20 units approved, indicating regulatory barriers to mid-scale development.
Sentiment
Strong coalition of 17+ organizations including Metro Chamber, Building Industry Association, Realtors, and neighborhood associations oppose bulk control restrictions and support easier housing development.
Housing Demand
Building code requirements for multi-unit projects (3+ units) under California Building Code versus California Residential Code for 1-2 units creates significant cost barrier, limiting feasibility of triplexes and fourplexes.
Infrastructure
SB 79 creates new development opportunities within half mile of transit stops, affecting approximately 29,000 parcels in single unit and duplex zones with height allowances of 55-85 feet.