MRD Zone-Manufacturing, Research and Development Zone

Sacramento City Code tit. 17, div. II, ch. 17.220, art. VI

in effect

Sacramento City Code § 17.220.600 MRD zone-Purpose.

17.220.600 MRD zone-Purpose. The purpose of the Manufacturing, Research and Development (MRD) zone is to accommodate innovative technology businesses and related support services, while allowing flexibility for transitional uses in areas where existing uses may be incompatible with planned development. The regulations of this zone are intended to achieve a high-quality, nuisance-free environment for manufacturing, assembly, research and development type land uses in accordance with the policies of the general plan, community plans, and any applicable development guidelines adopted for the area, and may be applied primarily to areas designated in the general plan for mixed uses, employment, or industrial uses. (Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)

Sacramento City Code § 17.220.610 MRD zone-Permitted uses.

17.220.610 MRD zone-Permitted uses. A. The following uses are permitted by right in the MRD zone, subject to the limitations specified: Use | Limitations 1. Residential Uses | Residential care facility | 2. Commercial and Institutional Uses | Assembly-cultural, religious, social | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.128 Athletic club; fitness studio | Cannabis testing | Subject to special use regulations in article IX of chapter 17.228 Childcare center | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.113 College campus | College extension | Commercial service | Community clinic | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.118 . Community market | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.124 Hotel; motel | Permitted if the project does not involve the demolition or conversion of multi-unit dwellings that exist or are under construction Library; archive | Museum | Nonresidential care facility | Office | Restaurant | Retail store | This use is limited to 40,000 gross square feet; if use exceeds this limitation, a conditional use permit is required Veterinary clinic; veterinary hospital | Entire business to be conducted within a building and no outdoor boarding of animals is allowed; a conditional use permit is required if animals are boarded outside or entire business is not conducted within a building Wholesale store | Permitted if use is located ¼ mile or greater from the center of a light rail station platform; a conditional use permit is required if use is located less than ¼ mile from the center of a light rail station platform 3. Industrial and Agricultural Uses | Aquaculture | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.810 et seq. Community garden, private | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.810 et seq. Laboratory, research | Manufacturing, service and repair | Market garden | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.810 et seq. Solar energy system, commercial (city property) | Allowed in this zone and exempt from the provisions of this title Warehouse; distribution center | B. Conditional uses. The following uses in the MRD zone require approval of a conditional use permit, subject to the limitations specified: Use | Limitations | Approval Required by: Planning and Design Commission (PDC); Zoning Administrator (ZA); or City Council (CC) 1. Residential Uses | | Dormitory | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.111 | ZA Dwelling, multi-unit | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.117 | ZA Low barrier navigation center | | ZA 2. Commercial and Institutional Uses | | Alcoholic beverage sales, off-premises consumption | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.108 | PDC Bar; nightclub | | PDC Drive-through restaurant | Permitted with a conditional use permit if- | PDC | 1. Use is located greater than ¼ mile but less than or equal to ½ mile from the center of an existing or proposed light rail station platform, subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.127; or | | 2. Use is located greater than ½ mile from the center of an existing or proposed light rail station platform. | | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.109 | Equipment-rental, sales yard | Permitted with a conditional use permit if- | PDC | 1. Use is located within ½ mile from the center of an existing or proposed light rail station platform, subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.127; or | | 2. Use is located greater than ½ mile from the center of an existing or proposed light rail station platform. | Gas station | Gas stations capable of simultaneously fueling not more than 10 vehicles are permitted with a conditional use permit if- | PDC | 1. Use is located greater than ¼ mile but less than or equal to ½ mile from the center of an existing or proposed light rail station platform, subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.127; or | | 2. Use is located greater than ½ mile from the center of an existing or proposed light rail station. | | Gas stations capable of simultaneously fueling more than 10 vehicles are permitted with a conditional use permit if- | | 1. Use is located greater than ¼ mile but less than or equal to ½ mile from the center of an existing or proposed light rail station platform and within 500 feet of a freeway right-of-way or roadway with six or more lanes, subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.127; or | | 2. Use is located greater than ½ mile from the center of an existing or proposed light rail station platform and within 500 feet of a freeway right-of-way or roadway with six or more lanes. | Hotel; motel | Allowed with a conditional use permit if the project involves the demolition or conversion of multi-unit dwellings that exist or are under construction | PDC Kennel | | ZA Retail store | Permitted with a conditional use permit if use exceeds 40,000 gross square feet; permitted by right if use does not exceed 40,000 gross square feet | PDC School, vocational | | ZA Stand-alone parking facility | The zoning administrator may waive the development standards stated in sections 17.608.040 and 17.612.020 | ZA Veterinary clinic; veterinary hospital | Allowed with a conditional use permit if animals are boarded outside or entire business is not conducted within a building | ZA Wholesale store | Permitted with a conditional use permit if use is located less than ¼ mile from the center of a light rail station platform; permitted by right if use is located ¼ mile or greater from the center of a light rail station platform | PDC 3. Industrial and Agricultural Uses | | Antenna; telecommunications facility | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.300 et seq. | PDC Cannabis production (excluding cannabis cultivation) | Subject to special use regulations in article IX of chapter 17.228If use is located within ½ mile from the center of an existing or proposed light rail station platform, subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.127 | ZA High voltage transmission facility | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.500 et seq. | CC Recycling facility | This use shall be located wholly within a completely enclosed building; | | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.400 et seq. | ZA/PDC Solar energy system, commercial (non-city property) | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.123 | ZA C. Accessory uses. The following uses are permitted in the MRD zone when accessory to a permitted or conditional use, subject to the limitations specified: Use | Limitations Accessory antenna | Child care, in-home (family day care home) | Common area | Dwelling unit, accessory | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.105 Dwelling unit, junior accessory | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.105 Family care facility | Family day care facility | Home occupation | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.200 et seq. Private garden | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.810 et seq. Urban beekeeping | Subject to section 9.44.330 Watchperson's quarters | The structure shall be limited to 1,000 square feet D. Prohibited uses. All uses not listed as permitted, accessory, or conditional uses are prohibited in the MRD zone. (Ord. 2026-0010 § 15; Ord. 2026-0001 § 21; Ord. 2024-0054 § 34; Ord. 2024-0017 § 41; Ord. 2021-0023 § 36; Ord. 2020-0025 § 18; Ord. 2020-0021 § 38 Ord. 2020-0012 § 13; Ord. 2018-0055 § 13; Ord. 2017-0059 § 12; Ord. 2017-0056 § 12; Ord. 2017-0029 § 10; Ord. 2017-0028 § 11; Ord. 2016-0001 § 28; Ord. 2015-0005 § 37; Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)

Sacramento City Code § 17.220.620 MRD zone-Lot size, width, and depth.

17.220.620 MRD zone-Lot size, width, and depth. A. Lot size. The minimum lot size is 10,000 square feet. B. Lot width. The minimum lot width is 62 feet. C. Lot depth. The minimum lot depth is 100 feet. (Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)

Sacramento City Code § 17.220.625 MRD zone-Height and floor area ratios.

17.220.625 MRD zone-Height and floor area ratios. A. Height. The minimum height is 15 feet. The maximum height is 75 feet. B. Floor area ratios. Minimum and maximum floor area ratios are established in the general plan. (Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)

Sacramento City Code § 17.220.630 MRD zone-Setbacks.

17.220.630 MRD zone-Setbacks. A. Front setback. The minimum front yard setback is five feet and the maximum setback is 110 feet. B. Street side-yard setback. The minimum street site yard setback is five feet and the maximum street side yard setback is 100 feet. C. Interior side-yard setback. None. D. Rear-yard setback. 1. Unless paragraph 2 of this subsection applies, there is no required minimum rear-yard setback. 2. If the rear-yard lot line is adjacent to an R- or OB-zoned lot and is not separated by an alley, the required min-imum rear-yard setback is 15 feet. E. Landscaped parking setbacks. The following minimum landscaped setbacks shall be provided between parking lots and adjacent property lines. 1. Front: The minimum planter width is 25 feet. 2. Street side: The minimum planter width is 25 feet. 3. Interior side: The minimum planter width is 10 feet. 4. Rear: The minimum planter width is 10 feet. F. Levee setback. A minimum 20-foot setback from the landside toe of any flood control levee is required for development less than five acres in size. A minimum 50-foot setback is required from the landside toe of any flood control levee for development five acres or greater in size. No primary or accessory structures may encroach into the levee setback. (Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)

Sacramento City Code § 17.220.640 MRD zone-Special development standards.

17.220.640 MRD zone-Special development standards. A. Entrance. The primary building entrance shall be oriented to and visible from the street. Direct pedestrian connections shall be provided from the street to the building entrance. Entries shall incorporate overhangs, recessed openings, canopies, or other features to emphasize the entrance area. B. Windows required. To ensure public safety and visual connections to the street, windows shall be provided on the front and street side façades with views from active use areas such as offices, retail sales areas, classrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, and kitchens. C. Uses enclosed by buildings. To avoid unsightly views and noise emissions, all uses, except outdoor storage and loading areas, shall be located entirely within an enclosed building. Roll-up doors, service entrances, and similar building openings should preferably be located along interior side or rear façades or shall be screened from public streets and adjacent residential uses by a solid masonry wall and landscaping. D. Equipment screening. 1. All ground-mounted mechanical equipment shall be completely screened from view from adjacent streets and lots by a masonry wall, fence or landscaping. 2. All roof-mounted mechanical equipment shall be completely screened from view from adjacent streets and lots by a parapet or equipment screen designed to match the colors and materials of the building. E. Signs in the MRD zone shall be subject to the following regulations: 1. For each occupancy, 1 attached sign is permitted. The total area for all such signs shall not exceed 3 square feet of sign area for each front foot of building occupancy. Such signs shall be placed flat against the building, on an architectural projection, or attached to the underside thereof. 2. One detached sign is permitted for each driveway not exceeding 48 square feet in area. All detached signs shall be monument type signs. All detached signs shall be located 10 feet from any property line and five feet from any driveway in order to provide a clear vision area. The height of the monument sign shall not exceed 6 feet. (Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)

Sacramento City Code § 17.220.650 MRD zone-Generally applicable development standards.

17.220.650 MRD zone-Generally applicable development standards. A. For architectural design guidelines and exceptions to the height and area standards, see chapter 17.600. B. For parking requirements, see chapter 17.608. C. For landscaping and paving requirements, see chapter 17.612. D. For recycling and solid waste disposal regulations, see chapter 17.616. E. For wall, fence, and gate regulations, see chapter 17.620. F. For residential accessory structure and use regulations, see chapter 17.624. G. For sign standards and regulations, see chapter 15.148. H. For historic preservation program generally, see chapter 17.604. For preservation design review of development projects, see section 17.808.100 et seq. (Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)

Sacramento City Code § 17.220.660 MRD zone-Site plan and design review.

17.220.660 MRD zone-Site plan and design review. A. General. 1. For development projects not located in a historic district and not involving a landmark, no tentative map, parcel map, or permit shall be approved or issued unless an application for site plan and design review of the proposed project is approved in accordance with chapter 17.808 or the project is exempt under section 17.808.160. 2. As used in this subsection A, "permit" means a building permit, a demolition permit, a sign permit, a grading permit, a paving permit, an encroachment permit, and a certificate of occupancy. B. Historic districts and landmarks. 1. For development projects located in a historic district or involving a landmark, no person shall commence construction or otherwise undertake a development project, and no tentative map, parcel map, or permit shall be approved or issued unless an application for site plan and design review of the proposed project is approved in accordance with chapter 17.808 or the project is exempt under section 17.808.160. 2. As used in this subsection B, "permit" means a building permit, a demolition permit, a sewer or water connection or disconnection, a sign permit, a grading permit, a paving permit, an encroachment permit, and a certificate of occupancy. (Ord. 2017-0061 § 60; Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)

Source: City of Sacramento, Sacramento City Code (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/sacramentoca/latest/sacramento_ca/0-0-0-35744Fetched: 10/24/2026