Interim East Sacramento Design Review Ordinance
Ordinance number 2007-026
Why was the interim ordinance established?
The Sacramento City Council approved the Interim East Sacramento Design Review Ordinance in April 2007 in an effort to protect the distinctive character of the East Sacramento area. The ordinance puts in place a series of threshold "triggers" that help determine the level of design review for a new or remodeled home. In doing so, the City hopes to avoid any detrimental impact on the unique character of the area in terms of scale and massing of new and remodeled homes.
What does the ordinance require?
The ordinance establishes triggers that determine whether or not a single family, two-family or second unit that is being constructed or remodeled must go through design review. Any new construction or remodel that exceeds the base threshold is subject to contextual design review.
The threshold for design review is determined by the portion of construction that occurs outside of the base building envelope. The base building envelope is similar to an imaginary tent that encompasses the structure. It is the three-dimensional air space contained within the front yard setback and the rear yard setback of a lot and conforming to the following side-yard planes and roofline planes.
The side-yard planes of the envelope begin at the side property lines at the average elevation of the finished lot grade at the front setback line and rise directly vertical and perpendicular to each side property line to a height of 12 feet. From there, the envelope, or imaginary tent, slopes inward at a 45 degree angle to form the roofline planes. (See handout PDF - 1,273 KB) for graphical depictions of the envelope.)
How do I learn more about this ordinance and whether or not my home meets the requirements for design review?
Contact Our Help Line
- Phone: (916) 808-5656
- Email: ezpermit@cityofsacramento.org
Visit Our Permit Counter
- 300 Richards Boulevard, 3rd Floor
More Information
- Handout (PDF - 1,273 KB)
- 2007-026 Interim Ordinance (PDF 333 - KB)