2023 Zoning Code Update
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Project Summary
On February 7, 2023, the Board adopted a resolution directing staff to improve the County's development review process, which included that the Board “generally supports amendments to County codes and regulations that allow for more ministerial/by right development, more approvals at the staff level or lower hearing bodies, and other changes that make it easier to do business with the County and build within the unincorporated area."
Planning and Environmental Review (PER) has initiated the 2023 Zoning Code Update in response to that direction to address the Zoning Code's common pain points expressed by a variety of stakeholders, including residents, businesses owners, developers, PER staff, and other County divisions. This Zoning Code Update affects all chapters and Title IV of the Zoning Code and represents the most significant update to the Zoning Code since the adoption of the current 7th Edition of the Zoning Code in 2015.
From time to time, PER initiates “fix-it" updates to the Zoning Code to address exigent issues, to comply with State law, clarify unclear regulation, and to introduce some policy tweaks. The 2023 Zoning Code Update is a larger, much more extensive version of such package.
To use an analogy from car maintenance: A “Fix-It" update is akin to regular service every 5,000 miles, while the 2023 Zoning Code Update would be equivalent to a major tune up typically required for a vehicle at 30,000, 60,000, and 90,000 miles.
After 11 years under the current edition of the Zoning Code, it is time to perform this major maintenance.
The 2023 Zoning Code Update contains 131 listed issues and fixes, which altogether, aim to streamline the Zoning Code, set up future improvements, remove or update several antiquated sections, assist a wide variety of businesses with beginning or continuing operations within the unincorporated County, help create a more user-friendly code, and help staff consistently interpret and apply Zoning Code provisions.
About the Issues Addressed
In the Issue Matrix, all 131 numbered issues are named, briefly described with proposed changes, and ranked on a subjective scale of 1 to 5 based on the degree of change from the existing Code and staff practices. The table below provides explanation as to how issues are ranked on the subjective scale.
Subjective Degree of Change
| Ranking | Description |
| 1 | Minor Clarification. The proposed change to the Zoning Code results in short text amendments that are of minor consequence. These changes fix typographical errors, update definitions, codify accepted staff practice, codify minor Planning Director's interpretations, and generally do not represent changes from existing practices. |
| 2 | Major Clarification. The proposed change to the Zoning Code results in text amendments that are longer or affect more frequently used use standards, development standards, and procedures than those specified in “1". These changes may affect definitions or solidify interpretations of standards but are still generally not major changes from existing practices. |
| 3 | Minor Policy Update. The proposed change results in a policy change to use standards, development standards, and/or procedures that are of relatively minor consequence. This involves minor changes to sections of the Zoning Code that are used somewhat frequently or major changes, up to complete elimination, of outdated or obsolete sections of the Code. This also includes the codification of informal historical policies that are generally noncontroversial. |
| 4 | Policy Update. The proposed change results in text changes or new policies that result in notable changes from existing policies. If affecting frequently used sections, such changes are significant, but not a complete reversal of existing policies (i.e. changing use permit levels). However, this section includes major changes, including elimination, of infrequently used sections that may affect a wider population compared to “3". This also includes the codification of more intensive Planning Director's Determinations. |
| 5 | Major Policy Update. The proposed change involves new policies that are a notable change from existing policies (i.e. prohibited to permitted), involve modifications of significant portions of the Code's text, affect frequently used sections, and affect a wide population. |
Proposed Amendments
- Download the Issue Matrix
- Download the Draft Strikethrough (2/10/2026) of Chapters 1-7
- Download the Draft Strikethrough (2/10/2026) of Title IV
Project Timeline
| Project Stage | Estimated Timeframe |
| Initiation | March 2023 |
| Internal Drafting | April 2023 – August 2025 |
| Internal Stakeholder Review | September 2025 – January 2026 |
| Public Outreach and Community Hearings | February 2026 – April 2026 |
| Planning Commission Hearing | Estimated June 2026 |
| Board of Supervisors Hearing | Estimated July 2026 |
| Post-Adoption Implementation | Estimated August 2026 |
How can I stay informed about this project?
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Upcoming Meetings:
| Date | Hearing Body | Link to Materials |
| 3/4/26 6:30 PM | Fair Oaks CPAC Fair Oaks Library, 11601 Fair Oaks Blvd, Fair Oaks, CA 95628 |
3/4/26 Agenda |
| 3/5/26 7:00 PM | Antelope CPAC North Highlands-Antelope Library, 4235 Antelope Rd, Antelope, CA 95843 |
3/5/26 Agenda |
| 3/11/26 6:30 PM | Carmichael CPAC Veterans Memorial Building, 5750 Grant Avenue, Carmichael, CA 95608 |
3/11/26 Agenda |
| 3/12/26 6:30 PM | Vineyard CPAC Pat O' Brien Community Center, 8025 Waterman Road, Sacramento, CA 95829 |
3/12/26 Agenda |
| 3/16/26 5:30 PM | Informational Workshop in Board Chambers 700 H Street, First Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814 |
TBD |
| 3/18/26 6:30 PM | South Sacramento CPAC Sacramento County Department of Health Services, 7001-A East Pkwy, Sacramento, CA 95823 |
3/18/26 Agenda |
| 3/19/26 7:00 PM | Cordova CPAC Rancho Cordova Library, 9845 Folsom Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95827 |
3/19/26 Agenda |
| 3/24/26 7:00 PM | North Highlands CPAC North Highlands Rec & Park District, 6040 Watt Ave, North Highlands, CA 95660 |
3/24/26 Agenda |
| 3/25/26 7:00 PM | Rio Linda/Elverta CPAC Rio Linda Community Center, 810 Oak Ln, Rio Linda, CA 95673 |
3/26/26 Agenda |
| 3/25/26 7:00 PM | Cosumnes CPAC Wilton Community Center, 9717 Colony Rd, Wilton, CA 95693 |
TBD |
| 3/26/26 7:00 PM | Arden Arcade CPAC Swanston Community Center, 2350 Northrop Ave, Sacramento, CA 95825 |
TBD |
| 3/26/26 7:00 PM | Southeast CPAC Hendrickson Hall, 12746 Ivie Road, Herald, CA 95638 |
TBD |
| 4/1/26 6:30 PM | Foothill Farms CPAC Foothill Community Center, 5510 Diablo Dr, Sacramento, CA 95842 |
TBD |
| 4/7/26 6:30 PM | Orangevale CPAC Orangevale Community Center, 6826 Hazel Ave, Orangevale, CA 95662 |
TBD |
| 4/8/26 7:00 PM | Delta CMAC Jean Harvie Community Center, 14273 River Rd, Walnut Grove, CA 95690 |
TBD |
| 4/9/26 6:00 PM | Natomas CPAC South Natomas Community Center, 2921 Truxel Rd, Sacramento, CA 95833 |
TBD |
| 4/13/26 5:30 PM | Planning Commission Workshop 700 H Street, First Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814 |
TBD |
| Est. June 2026 | Planning Commission 700 H Street, First Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814 |
TBD |
| Est. July 2026 | Board of Supervisors 700 H Street, First Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814 |
TBD |
Inquiry or Comments:
If you have an inquiry or comment, please contact the Project Manager:
Matthew Jumamoy, Associate Planner
(916) 874-3494
jumamoym@saccounty.gov