Arden Court NPA

Sacramento County Zoning Code
Arden Court Neighborhood Preservation Area Ordinance

Adopted February 24, 1993
Adopted by ZMA #5149 & 1992-CZB-ZOB-0526

MEMO: Applicable Zoning Standards for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in SPAs and NPAs

Background

A set of changes to State statutes related to Accessory Dwelling Units (also known as ADUs, granny units, or secondary units) took effect January 1, 2020, and limit the ability of local jurisdictions to regulate ADUs. Specifically, any local regulations that include more restrictive standards than the State statutes are null and void.

To comply with the new State statutes, the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors adopted a Zoning Ordinance Amendment on December 16, 2020 that updated general ADU standards to match those of the State statute. Clarifying language was also added to Section 1.7.3.A of the Sacramento County Zoning Code, specifying that State ADU regulations override all more restrictive regulations within areas governed by Special Planning Area (SPA) and Neighborhood Preservation Area (NPA).

Applicable ADU Standards

This memo is to inform property owners and any other interested parties that the regulations found in this SPA or NPA document related to ADUs, if more restrictive than the State statute, shall be void. Further, the standards found in the Sacramento County Zoning Code, Sections 3.2.5, 3.9.3.D, and 5.4.5.B are to be utilized for determining zoning compliance.

Approved January 28, 2021

536-020. 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 536-026, to preserve the unique social, architectural and environmental characteristics of the Arden Court area, and to prevent further encroachment of business and professional or commercial uses in the area.

536-021. DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS.

The uses, conditions and development standards applicable to property in the RD-3 zone shall be applicable to the property described in Section 536-026, except as set forth in this section. Any change in zoning to a newly adopted residential land use shall, in order to satisfy the intent of this Ordinance, maintain the following development standards:

1. Each lot shall have a minimum net area of 30,000 square feet.
2. Each lot shall have a minimum width and public street frontage of one hundred and ten (110) feet. The width and frontage for lots fronting on a curved street or curved portion of a cul-de-sac street shall be measured along a chord located thirty (30) feet from the edge of the street right-of-way.
3. No structures shall exceed two (2) stories in height.
4. Minimum yards/setbacks shall be maintained as follows: front yard – thirty (30) feet; rear yard – thirty-five (35) feet; side yards – fifteen (15) feet for single story and twenty (20) feet for two story; and side street yards – twenty-five (25) feet for single story and thirty (30) feet for two story. The building setback shall be measured from that portion which constitutes a story as defined in Section 130-174 of the Sacramento County Zoning Code.
5. Uses permitted, and uses permitted subject to the issuance of a conditional use permit by the appropriate authority in the RD-3 zone, shall be similarly permitted subject to the conditions in this NPA, except that those uses designated as "institutional uses" in Zoning Code Section 201-02(D) shall require a minimum lot size of three (3) acres.

536-022. 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.

536-023. VARIANCES.

The variance provisions of Article 2, Chapter 10, Title I of the Sacramento County Zoning Code, Ordinance No. 83-10, as amended, shall apply to this Ordinance, except that the Board of Supervisors shall be the appropriate authority to hear and decide all variances.

536-024. 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.

536-025. FINDINGS.

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

1. The area described in Section 536-026 is a unique area of large lots and a semi-rural atmosphere. The 110 foot lot width requirement is necessary to prevent lot splits and preserve the unique characteristics of the neighborhood.
2. The Arden Court 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 Arden Court 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.

536-026. EXHIBIT A