Sphere of Influence and Annexations

The City of Sacramento has a two step process to bring land into the City. The first step is to expand the

Sphere of Influence to include the property and the second step is to Annex the property into the City.

City of Sacramento Sphere of Influence and Annexation Activities Map (PDF)

Sphere of Influence:

A "sphere of influence" is a plan for the probable ultimate physical boundaries and service area of a local governmental agency, as determined by the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo). In determining the Sphere of Influence, LAFCo considers the following:

The present and planned land uses in the area, including agricultural and open space lands;
The present and probable need for public facilities in the area;
The present capacity of public facilities and adequacy of public services which the agency provides or its authorized to provide; and,
The existence of any social or economic communities of interest in the area if the Commission determines that they are relevant to the agency.

Active Sphere of Influence efforts:

Study Area efforts:

Arden/Arcade (PDF)
Fruitridge-Florin (PDF)

Annexation:

Annexation is the process by which cities expand their limits. Property that is outside of the City limits, but within City of Sacramento’s ultimate growth boundary (Sphere of Influence, or SOI), can be considered for annexation into the City limits. LAFCo is the agency charged by the State Legislature through the Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Local Government Reorganization Act of 2000 with ensuring the timely and orderly formation of local government agencies and boundaries, to preserve agricultural and open space lands, and to discourage urban sprawl.

It is the policy of the City to work with LAFCo to adjust the LAFCo Sphere of Influence to be in conformity with the City’s Adopted Annexation Policy. The City should initiate annexations which:

Constitute fiscally sound additions to the existing City;
Are consistent with State law and Local Agency Formation Commission standards and criteria;
Preserve neighborhood identities;
Ensure the provision of adequate municipal services; and,
Are consistent with General Plan and Community Plan land use policies.

Prior to annexation:

The property must be included within the City’s Sphere of Influence
The property must be pre-zoned by the City and
City Council must adopt a Resolution of Application to Annex,
The City & County must negotiate financial agreements regarding property or sales tax sharing
The City must negotiate with any affected Special Districts
Apply to the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO), which will either approve or deny the annexation.

Zoning becomes effective upon annexation and the property is thereafter subject to City regulations. The territory will receive municipal service provision from the City of Sacramento upon annexation.

There are two major types of annexations, each of which has additional requirements, as noted below:

Uninhabited / Undeveloped Land: “Undeveloped land” generally lies on the edge of the City and has little or no development and has been identified as a future growth area. When the annexation area has fewer than 12 registered voters, annexation must be supported by other property owners in the area proposed for annexation (one vote per acre).

Inhabited / developed County land: The majority of the area is developed, but it lies outside of City limits, and has a lower potential for new development than undeveloped land. These areas are typically substantially surrounded by the City. Residents may apply to annex to the City or the City may initiate annexation. With inhabited areas, annexation must also be supported by a majority of voters within the area proposed for annexation.

Active Annexation efforts:

Natomas Panhandle (link)
Freeport (link)

Future Annexation efforts:

West Lakeside

Possible Future Detachment (Annexation to Elk Grove)

Laguna Creek Detachment Overview/ Profile (PDF)
Laguna Creek Neighborhood Annexation Inquiries - Letter from Councilmember Pannell (pdf, 715 KB)

Recently Approved Annexations:

Greenbriar (link)

Annexation Information

Annexation Process (PDF)

Annexation Fee Updates & Additions (PDF)

Annexation History

Annexation History Map (PDF, 440 KB)

Annexation History Table (PDF, 514 KB)

More information about the City’s annexation process is available through the Planning Department. Information about the Local Agency Formation Commission’s (LAFCO’s) annexation process is available at http://www.saclafco.org.