2040 General Plan Key Strategy
City Council directed staff to proceed with a strategy that will allow a greater array of housing types such as duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes (Missing Middle Housing), in single-unit neighborhoods, which currently account for 70% of the City’s residential land. In light of steep increases in both rent and home prices caused by a severe housing shortage as well as limited housing options available to residents, this MMH strategy is one of many ways that the City can increase production of much-needed housing. Before this strategy is implemented, the City is undertaking a 14-month effort to study and develop land use, zoning, and design standard recommendations to thoughtfully implement Missing Middle Housing (MMH) in Sacramento.
What is the Missing Middle Housing Study?
A multi-faceted study that consists of both community engagement as well as technical, data-driven analyses has been initiated to explore both the benefits and the challenges of implementing MMH in Sacramento.
The City will engage with residents in both phases of the project. In Phase 1 (Information Sharing + Gathering), residents will learn about the MMH concept and will share feedback. The feedback will be used to formulate architectural recommendations and regulatory solutions, such as design and development standards, and will inform Phase 2 (Solutions + Recommendations).
On the technical side, several reports will be developed that cover topics ranging from case studies of other American cities that have undertaken similar initiatives, economic feasibility of MMH, and an assessment of displacement risk in our vulnerable communities. The project will culminate in a final report that will present zoning and design standard recommendations developed based on the outreach and analyses conducted.
Note: City code amendments will occur after the conclusion of this study and the City Council adoption of the 2040 General Plan, not as a part of this study.
How does this differ from SB 9?
Although both Senate Bill (SB) 9 and the City’s MMH strategy are aimed at increasing housing choice and providing housing options that are more attainable by design, there are differences. SB 9 is focused on increasing one MMH type – duplexes, while additional housing types such as triplexes and fourplexes are contemplated for Sacramento. Also, as a statewide mandate, SB 9 was not focused on the Sacramento-specific context or shaped by input from Sacramento residents.
The City’s MMH strategy is an opportunity for a collaborative process between the City and residents to shape a local MMH option, tailored specifically for Sacramento. Working with the community, we hope this MMH strategy can provide an economic opportunity for homeowners while making housing more attainable for many of our residents.