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Sacramento County Land Use Regulation Library
Welcome to the open beta of the brand new Land Use Regulation Library, which aims to increase the accessibility of adopted land use regulations in unincorporated Sacramento County. The library is currently a work in progress. Daily maintenance is scheduled on weekdays from 7:30AM to 8:00AM and 4:30PM to 5:00PM. For any comments or concerns about the functionality of the library, please email Matthew Jumamoy, Associate Planner.

Several Zoning Code and General Plan Updates are currently in progress. Stay up to date by visiting our Plans and Projects in Progress Page.

The 2026 Interim Zoning Code Guidance has been released, addressing State legislation which came into effect January 1, 2026.

Mariemont / Gordon Heights NPA

Sacramento County Zoning Code
Mariemont / Gordon Heights Neighborhood Preservation Area Ordinance

Section titled “Sacramento County Zoning Code Mariemont / Gordon Heights Neighborhood Preservation Area Ordinance”

Adopted November 6, 1980
NPA-80-2
Adopted by ZMA #4089 (1980 Arden Arcade Consistency Rezone)

531-20. INTENT.

Section titled “531-20. INTENT.”

It is the intent of the Board of Supervisors in adopting this Neighborhood Preservation Ordinance to preserve and protect the existing single family residential estate atmosphere of the property described in Section 531-26, to preserve the unique social, architectural and environmental characteristics of the Mariemont/Gordon Heights area, and to prevent further encroachment of commercial uses in the area.

531-21. DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS.

Section titled “531-21. DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS.”

The uses, conditions and development standards applicable to property in the RD-2 zone shall be applicable to the property described in Section 531-26, as well as any additional standards included in this section. Uses permitted, and uses permitted subject to the issuance of a conditional use permit by the appropriate authority in the RD-2 zone, shall be permitted subject to the conditions in this NPA, except that those uses designated as “institutional uses” in the Zoning Code shall require a minimum lot size of three (3) acres.

The following development standards shall apply to the property designated on Section 531-26.

  1. Each lot shall be a minimum of 30,000 square feet in area.
  2. Each lot shall have a minimum width of one-hundred twenty-five (125) feet. The width for lots fronting on a curved street, or curved portion of a cul-de-sac street, shall be measured along a chord located fifty (50) feet from the edge of the street right-of-way.
  3. No structures shall exceed two (2) stories, and any two-story structures shall have side yards of at least thirty (30) feet.
  4. Each lot shall have a minimum public street frontage of one-hundred twenty-five (125) feet and setback of fifty (50) feet. The public street frontage for lots fronting on a curved street, or on the curved portion of a cul-de-sac street, shall be measured along a chord located fifty (50) feet from the edge of the street right-of-way. Side yards shall be at least twenty (20) feet and rear yards at least thirty-five (35) feet. Side street yards shall be at least twenty-five (25) feet.

531-22. VIOLATIONS.

Section titled “531-22. VIOLATIONS.”

Violation of the provisions of this Ordinance, or exhibits made part of this Ordinance, shall be deemed a violation of Sacramento County Zoning Code, Ordinance No. 77-110 as amended.

531-23. VARIANCES.

Section titled “531-23. VARIANCES.”

The variance provision of Article 2, Chapter 10, Title 1 of the Sacramento County Zoning Code, Ordinance No. 77-110, as amended, shall apply to this Ordinance, except that the Board of Supervisors shall be the appropriate authority to hear and decide all variances.

531-24. CONTINUANCE OF NONCONFORMING USES.

Section titled “531-24. CONTINUANCE OF NONCONFORMING USES.”

The continuance of uses made nonconforming by the adoption of this Ordinance shall be permitted to continue, pursuant to the provisions of Articles 1 through 6, of Chapter 20 of Title I, of the Sacramento County Zoning Code, as amended.

531-25. FINDINGS.

Section titled “531-25. FINDINGS.”

During the public hearings on this Ordinance, the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors determined that:

  1. The area described in Section 531-26 is a unique area of narrow streets and large wide lots and a spacious estate-type atmosphere. The 125 foot lot width requirement is necessary to prevent lot splits and preserve the unique characteristics of the neighborhood.
  2. The Mariemont/Gordon Heights neighborhood is of sufficient size to constitute an identifiable neighborhood.
  3. This (NPA) zone is reasonable and will not cause undue hardship for any of the property owners since the majority of the existing lots in this area meet the development requirements of this Ordinance.
  4. It is in the best interest of the residents of Mariemont/Gordon Heights and the County of Sacramento that the character of the existing single family residential neighborhood be preserved, protected and maintained and that, therefore, development not consistent with this NPA is incompatible with the character of the area and the needs of the people of the County of Sacramento.

531-26. Mariemont/Gordon Heights Neighborhood Preservation Area Boundary

Section titled “531-26. Mariemont/Gordon Heights Neighborhood Preservation Area Boundary”

Mariemont/Gordon Heights Neighborhood Preservation Area Boundary