california senate bill 9 (SB9)

On September 16, 2021, Governor Newsom signed California Senate Bill 9 into law aimed at streamlining housing permitting and increasing density to create more inclusive and vibrant neighborhoods across the State.

what does SB9 do?

The bill mandates local jurisdictions, such as the City of Sacramento, to ministerially approve (pass or fail checklist) two-unit dwellings and a subdivision of one lot into two (urban lot split) in any single-unit dwelling zone.

The full text from Senate Bill 9 can be found by clicking here.

The City's Senate Bill 9 Emergency Ordinance (OR2021-0035) can be found by clicking here.

When is SB9 Effective?

The bill is effective beginning January 1, 2022.

How Does This Apply to the City of Sacramento?

Beginning January 1, 2022, the City of Sacramento will begin accepting applications under SB9 for Duplex Development and Urban Lot Splits.

All SB9 applications must meet the parameters at the City Code Chapter 17.864 (MINISTERIAL APPROVAL OF TWO DWELLING UNITS ON A LOT AND URBAN LOT SPLITS (click here to access):

Section 17.864.020 addresses housing development containing not more than two dwelling units; and
Section 17.864.030 address urban lot splits.
SB 9 applications must concern property in the Single-Unit Dwelling (R-1) or Rural Estate (RE) Zones. Find your property’s zoning by clicking here.
They cannot be in a Historic District or Landmark Designated Property. Find out if your property has these designations by clicking here.
Owner must verify that the property’s Codes, Covenants, and Restrictions (CC&R) or Homeowner Association (HOA) rules are not violated by SB9.
SB applications shall not concern property within or on sensitive areas like wetlands, earthquake fault zones, conservation land, FEMA flood plains, high fire hazard zones, farmland, and hazardous waste sites.
They also cannot involve the demolition or alteration of structures if the property contains:

Affordable housing; or
Rent controlled housing; or
Housing withdrawn from the rental market in the past fifteen (15) years; or
Housing occupied by a tenant within the last three (3) years; if unit was occupied by a tenant within the last three (3) years, no more than 25% of demolition is allowed for the exterior walls.

The SB9 Planning Approval Form could be found here: http://www.cityofsacramento.org/Community-Development/Resources/Forms/Planning-Forms

DISCLAIMER: This website is provided for informational purposes only and does not serve as a substitute for applicable standards. All SB 9 applications shall be evaluated against the standards codified at City Code Chapter 17.864.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Please click here to find a list of frequently asked questions.

Staff Contact

For questions, please email planning@cityofsacramento.org