C-3 Zone-Central Business District Zone

Sacramento City Code tit. 17, div. II, ch. 17.216, art. VIII

in effect

Sacramento City Code § 17.216.800 C-3 zone-Purpose.

17.216.800 C-3 zone-Purpose. The purpose of the C-3 zone-also known and referred to as the central business district (CBD)-is to provide for the most intense residential, retail, commercial, and office developments in the city. (Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)

Sacramento City Code § 17.216.810 C-3 zone-Permitted uses.

17.216.810 C-3 zone-Permitted uses. A. Permitted uses. The following uses are permitted by right in the C-3 zone, subject to the limitations specified: Use | Limitations 1. Residential Uses | Dormitory | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.111 Dwelling, duplex | Dwelling, multi-unit | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.117 Low barrier navigation center | Residential care facility | Residential hotel | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.112 2. Commercial and Institutional Uses | Adult entertainment business | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.102 Amusement center, indoor | Assembly-cultural, religious, social | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.128 Athletic club; fitness studio | Bed and breakfast inn | Childcare center | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.113 Cinema | College extension | Use | Limitations 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 Laundromat, self-service | Library; archive | Mortuary; crematory | Museum | Non-profit organization, food preparation for off-site consumption | Entire business, including storage and display, shall be conducted within a building Non-profit organization, food storage and distribution | This use is limited to 6,400 gross square feet. Use may include incidental, non-nuisance producing processing, packaging, and fabricating entirely within a building. Nonresidential care facility | Office | Restaurant | Retail store | This use is limited to 125,000 gross square feet; if use exceeds this limitation, a conditional use permit is required School-dance, music, art, martial arts | School, vocational | Theater | Tobacco retailing | Permitted in a store that has greater than 15,000 square feet of gross floor area if the total area of shelving allocated to tobacco products and tobacco paraphernalia does not exceed 250 square feet. 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 | This use is limited to 6,400 gross square feet. Use may include incidental, non-nuisance producing processing, packaging, and fabricating entirely within a building 3. Industrial and Agricultural Uses | Aquaculture | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.810 et seq. Community garden, private (not exceeding 3.0 acres) | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.810 et seq. Manufacturing, service, and repair | This use is limited to 6,400 gross square feet. Use may include incidental, non-nuisance producing processing, packaging, and fabricating entirely within a building Market garden (not exceeding 3.0 acres) | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.810 et seq. Passenger terminal | Solar energy system, commercial (city property) | Allowed in this zone and exempt from the provisions of this title B. Conditional uses. The following uses in the C-3 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 | | Dwelling, single-unit | | PDC Fraternity house; sorority house | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.111 | PDC Temporary residential shelter | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.600 et seq. | ZA 2. Commercial and Institutional Uses | | Adult-related establishment | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.103 | PDC Alcoholic beverage sales, off-premises consumption | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.108 | PDC Amusement center, outdoor | | PDC Auto-sales, storage, rental | Permitted with a conditional use permit if- | PDC | 1. Use is located within ¼ mile from the center of an existing or proposed light rail station platform and the entire business, including auto storage and display, is conducted within a building; | | 2. 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 | | 3. Use is located greater than ½ mile from the center of an existing or proposed light rail station platform. | | Repair work is permitted if confined to a building | Auto-service, repair | 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. | | Entire business shall be conducted within a building. No outdoor storage or display of merchandise is permitted in this zone. | | Repair work is permitted if confined to a building | Bar; nightclub | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.108 | PDC Cannabis consumption lounge | Subject to special use regulations in article IX of chapter 17.228 | PDC Cannabis dispensary | Limited to storefront cannabis dispensary (delivery-only cannabis dispensary not allowed)Subject to special use regulations in article IX of chapter 17.228 | ZA/PDC Cardroom | Subject to licensing regulations in chapter 5.32; | | A cardroom may not be located within 1,000 feet, measured from the nearest property lines of the affected parcels, from another cardroom; | | Notwithstanding section 17.232.050, a conditional use permit is not required to enlarge a cardroom on a greater portion of the building or lot on which it is located or to relocate the cardroom to another location on the same lot | PDC Check-cashing center | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.121 | PDC College campus | | PDC Correctional facility | | PDC Firearms business | | PDC 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 platform. | | 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. | | Repair work is permitted if confined to a building | 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 Major medical facility | | PDC Non-profit organization, meal service facility | | PDC Outdoor market | In granting a conditional use permit, the zoning administrator may consider the traffic, safety of vehicular and non-vehicular access, adequacy of bicycle parking, noise, hours of operation, and any applicable development standards related to the proposed outdoor market | ZA Retail store | Permitted with a conditional use permit if use exceeds 125,000 gross square feet; permitted by right if use does not exceed 125,000 gross square feet | PDC School, K-12 | | PDC Sports complex | | PDC Stand-alone parking facility | The zoning administrator may waive the development standards stated in sections 17.608.040 and 17.612.020 | ZA Superstore | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.119 | PDC Tobacco retailing | Permitted with a conditional use permit in a store that has 15,000 square feet or less of gross floor area or allocates more than 250 square feet of shelving to tobacco products and tobacco paraphernalia. | ZA Transit vehicle-service, repair, storage | | PDC Veterinary clinic; veterinary hospital | Permitted with a conditional use permit if animals are boarded outside, or entire business is not conducted within a building | ZA 3. Industrial and Agricultural Uses | | Antenna; telecommunications facility | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.300 et seq. | PDC Boat dock; marina | | PDC Community garden, private (exceeding 3.0 acres) | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.810 et seq. | ZA Heliport; helistop | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.114 | PDC High voltage transmission facility | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.500 et seq. | CC Market garden (exceeding 3.0 acres) | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.810 et seq. | ZA Produce stand | | PDC Well-gas, oil | | PDC C. Accessory uses. The following uses are permitted in the C-3 zone when accessory to a permitted or conditional use, subject to the limitations specified: Use | Limitations Accessory antenna | Childcare, 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. Recycling facility, convenience | Subject to special use regulations in section 17.228.400 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 C-3 zone. (Ord. 2026-0011 § 7; Ord. 2026-0010 § 8; Ord. 2026-0001 § 15; Ord. 2025-0007 § 11; Ord. 2024-0054 § 28; Ord. 2024-0017 § 34; Ord. 2021-0023 § 30; Ord. 2020-0025 § 12; Ord. 2020-0021 § 31; Ord. 2019-0027 § 13; Ord. 2018-0055 § 6; Ord. 2016-0016 § 8; Ord. 2016-0001 § 22; Ord. 2015-0005 § 30; Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0018 § 16; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)

Sacramento City Code § 17.216.820 C-3 zone-Ground-floor retail requirement.

17.216.820 C-3 zone-Ground-floor retail requirement. A. Purpose. The purpose and intent of the ground-floor retail requirement is to preserve, enhance, and ensure establishment of retail commercial, personal service, and pedestrian-oriented uses for the street level of buildings that abut a public street. B. Retail blocks and use restrictions established. 1. Exhibit A identifies the retail blocks in the C-3 zone that are subject to the provisions of this section and designates ground-floor retail requirements of either 75% or 50% for each individual block-face, as shown. Exhibit A Required Retail Frontage [image omitted; see the official code] 2. Retail, pedestrian-oriented, and personal service classifications indicated on Table 1 shall occupy a minimum of 50% to 75% of the street-frontage floor area of a building on a retail block, as indicated on Exhibit A, and subject to other applicable provisions of this title. Table 1: Retail, Pedestrian-Oriented, and Personal Service Classifications Amusement center, indoor Athletic club; fitness studio Bar; nightclub Cinema Commercial service Museum Restaurant Retail store Theater 3. All other uses permitted or allowed in the C-3 zone may occupy the remaining block face not devoted to the ground-floor retail classifications listed in Table 1. 4. A zoning administrator conditional use permit is required to deviate from the minimum ground-floor retail requirements in Exhibit A. The zoning administrator's approval may be for a limited period of time, depending upon present economic conditions, existing physical conditions, or any special circumstances related to the particular location. C. New construction or conversions affecting ground-floor areas in buildings on designated retail streets must provide retail space within those buildings with either (1) a minimum interior space depth of 60 feet measured from the inside wall abutting the front property line, or (2) space modules containing a minimum area of 1,000 square feet along building frontage abutting designated retail streets, whichever is less. D. A conditional use permit for a use not listed on Table 1 and located within a building's street-frontage floor area that is interrupted for a continuous period of one year or more shall be deemed automatically revoked. (Ord. 2017-0061 § 45; Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)

Sacramento City Code § 17.216.830 C-3 zone-Height, density, lot coverage, and floor area ratios.

17.216.830 C-3 zone-Height, density, lot coverage, and floor area ratios. A. Height. Except as provided in section 17.216.860 (the Capitol View Protection area), there are no maximum height limits. B. Density. The maximum density is 450 dwelling units per net acre. C. Lot coverage. There is no lot coverage requirement. D. Floor area ratios. The minimum and maximum floor area ratios are established in the general plan. (Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)

Sacramento City Code § 17.216.840 C-3 zone-Lot size, width, and depth.

17.216.840 C-3 zone-Lot size, width, and depth. There are no minimum lot size, width, or depth requirements. (Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)

Sacramento City Code § 17.216.850 C-3 zone-Setbacks and stepbacks.

17.216.850 C-3 zone-Setbacks and stepbacks. A. Front-yard and street side-yard setback. There is no minimum front-yard or street side-yard setback. The maximum setback is 10 feet. B. Interior side-yard setback. 1. Unless paragraph 2 of this subsection applies, there is no minimum interior side-yard setback. 2. If the side-yard lot line is adjacent to an R-zoned lot and is not separated by an alley, the minimum interior side-yard setback is five feet. C. 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-zoned lot and is not separated by an alley, the minimum rear-yard setback is 15 feet. D. Tower setbacks and stepbacks. 1. Definitions. For the purposes of this article, a. "Tower" means that portion of a building located above the building base. b. "Building base" means the first 65 feet of building height. 2. Front-yard and street side-yard setback. The front-yard and street side-yard setback for commercial, mixed-use, and residential towers is the same as for the main wall of the building base. 3. Rear-yard tower setback. a. The minimum rear-yard tower setback for a residential tower is 40 feet from the rear lot line. If the rear lot line is adjacent to an alley, the setback is measured to the centerline of the alley. b. The minimum rear-yard tower setback for a commercial or mixed-use tower shall be determined through the site plan and design review process. 4. Interior side-yard tower setback. a. The minimum interior side-yard tower setback for a residential tower is 40 feet. b. The minimum interior side-yard tower setback for a commercial or mixed-use tower shall be determined through the site plan and design review process. 5. Tower separation: The minimum setback between towers is 80 feet. 6. Additional step-backs shall be provided as required in the capitol view protection section below or as determined in the site plan and design review process. (Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)

Sacramento City Code § 17.216.860 C-3 zone-Capitol view protection requirements.

17.216.860 C-3 zone-Capitol view protection requirements. A. Purpose. The state capitol building and the surrounding grounds of Capitol Park provide the city with a unique cultural and open-space resource. This section establishes height restrictions and setback requirements for certain areas of the CBD located near the state capitol building and Capitol Park. These regulations are designed to provide visual protection to and from the state capitol building and Capitol Park. B. Height restrictions. The height limits are illustrated on the map that is Exhibit B to this chapter. The height limits apply notwithstanding any other provision of this title to the contrary. Building height limits apply to the highest point of the building except for the following unoccupied elements: building caps that serve a decorative function, roof-top mechanical equipment that is screened and placed in a location furthest away when viewed from the Capitol grounds, and other architectural embellishments approved by the city planning and design commission through site plan and design review. C. Setback requirements. The overall setback requirements are illustrated on the map that is Exhibit C to this chapter. Additional setback requirements are illustrated on the map in Exhibits D, E, F, and G to this chapter. The setback requirements apply notwithstanding any other provision of this title to the contrary. Exhibit B [image omitted; see the official code] Exhibit C [image omitted; see the official code] Exhibit D [image omitted; see the official code] Exhibit E [image omitted; see the official code] Exhibit F [image omitted; see the official code] Exhibit G [image omitted; see the official code] (Ord. 2025-0 007 § 12; Ord. 2018-0 017 § 2; Ord. 2013-0 020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0 007 § 1)

Sacramento City Code § 17.216.870 C-3 zone-Generally applicable development standards.

17.216.870 C-3 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 § 17.216.880 C-3 zone-Site plan and design review.

17.216.880 C-3 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 § 47; 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/0-0-0-35302Fetched: 10/24/2026