New Sacramento ordinance could speed up approval for 10-unit infill developments.
Sacramento may soon make it much faster and easier to build small housing projects — like townhomes, duplexes, and cottage-style infill — across the city.
On Thursday, the city’s Planning and Design Commission voted to recommend a new ordinance that would let builders get approval for projects with up to ten homes in just 60 days, without going through the usual public hearings or lengthy review process.
The change comes from a new state law known as Senate Bill 684, which took effect last year. The city’s ordinance brings local rules in line with the state while giving Sacramento some flexibility to shape how the process works here.
“This bill creates a new statewide pathway for small-lot subdivisions and housing developments,” said city planner Jamie Mosler, who presented the ordinance.
Right now, a small builder trying to split a parcel and build a few townhomes can wait months for approval — and often needs to go through public hearings. Under the new rules, qualifying projects could be approved administratively, meaning staff can issue permits directly if the plans meet city standards.
Projects must be on urban lots already zoned for housing and can’t be on farmland, wetlands, or other sensitive sites. Developers can build up to ten homes on lots up to five acres — or 1.5 acres in certain residential zones.
The law also allows for small parcels, as little as 600 square feet in most areas, paving the way for compact townhomes or courtyard-style housing. Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) will also be allowed and won’t count toward the ten-home limit.
Commissioners and staff described the change as a tool to create more attainable homeownership options, especially for small builders who struggle with long entitlement timelines.
“This is about trying to create more affordable homeownership opportunities,” said Commissioner Dov Kadin, who praised staff for being responsive to feedback.
The ordinance also removes older restrictions that made financing small projects nearly impossible. Developers will now be able to sell or finance new parcels once a project has planning approval, instead of waiting until after construction begins.
The city included several safeguards to ensure projects meet quality and safety standards. Each project must still follow local building codes, setback rules, and design standards — but the city can’t require design changes that make projects less dense or harder to build.
The ordinance limits the average home size to 1,750 square feet, sets four-foot side and rear setbacks, and removes parking minimums to make more space for housing.
Staff also added a safeguard for any leftover land, called a “remainder parcel.” If a developer decides to sell it later, the city will review it to make sure the parcel boundaries are clear and legal before the sale.
The ordinance now heads to the City Council’s Law and Legislation Committee in November, with full council review expected in December. If adopted, it could take effect early next year — giving Sacramento a much faster route for small-scale housing.
For small builders and homeowners alike, it means that backyard cottage clusters, townhomes, and missing-middle infill projects could soon face far fewer bureaucratic delays.
