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Sacramento County Land Use Regulation Library
Celebrating the 90th Anniversary (1936-2026) of the Sacramento County Zoning Code! 🎂

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The 2023 Zoning Code Update, the most extensive update to the Zoning Code since 2015, is effective September 10th. Read our article on this update.

About Special Planning Areas

Sacramento County Zoning Code
About Special Planning Areas

Section titled “Sacramento County Zoning Code About Special Planning Areas”

Purpose

Section titled “Purpose”

Special Planning Area Ordinances (SPAs) are adopted as a part of the Zoning Code to regulate a specific area when the countywide zoning regulations do not adequately address local concerns. SPAs allow uses, regulations and standards that would not be allowed under the countywide regulations. The allowance to create a full gamut of new regulations is what differentiates SPAs from Neighborhood Preservation Areas, which are intended only to regulate development standards.

The requirements for establishing a Special Planning Area are adopted in SZC Section 4.10.

Citation

Section titled “Citation”

SPAs are adopted as part of Title V or VI of the Zoning Code with most SPAs intended to be a part of Title V. The first number in the code section indicates which Title an SPA belongs to. Chapters 1 through 29 of Title V are reserved for SPAs.

History

Section titled “History”

SPAs were introduced into the Zoning Code as a part of the Fifth Edition of the Zoning Code, adopted in 1977. As of March 2026, there are 47 adopted Special Planning Area Ordinances. (Note that the Aerojet SPA is composed of four distinct components which are sometimes counted as separate SPAs.)

The first adopted Special Planning Area was the Greenback Woods Special Planning Area, which remains in effect within the jurisdiction of the City of Citrus Heights.