New Homes, Same Old Feel: Sacramento Says Yes To Incremental Development
An existing multiunit property in Sacramento.
Back in September, the Sacramento City Council unanimously adopted the Missing Middle Housing Interim Ordinance, making it the first city in California to allow multiunit housing in all neighborhoods previously zoned single-family only.
For Sacramento residents, the move isn’t just a policy shift: it’s a lifeline. “We have many residents, young and old, who want to stay in their community but can’t afford to,” said Associate Planner Nguyen Nguyen. “Through three years of collective effort and collaboration with our engaged residents, the Sacramento community has delivered a promising solution in response to this challenge, and I’m grateful to have been a part of that process.”
The Missing Middle Housing (MMH) Ordinance shifts the focus from rigid density limits to a more flexible approach based on maximum floor area, allowing residential buildings up to 2.5 stories on former single-family lots. The size of each building is determined by the lot’s dimensions and proximity to public transit, ensuring thoughtful, context-sensitive development.
This ordinance opens the door for a range of housing options, including fourplexes, sixplexes and cottage courts on smaller lots. These housing types fill the gap between single-family homes and large apartment complexes, making it possible to introduce more housing without disrupting the existing fabric of residential neighborhoods. For the ordinance's champions, addressing affordability was also key, so MMH includes provisions that preserve low-cost housing for low-income residents and seniors while creating new entry-level homeownership opportunities.
“This overall policy is profoundly positive for our city,” Mayor Darrell Steinberg told the Sacramento City Express. “This sets Sacramento apart from so many other cities in the country in terms of encouraging more housing and innovative types of housing in traditionally single-family neighborhoods.”
It’s true. Sacramento’s approach is perhaps the most permissive in the nation. But for the capital city, it’s not just about being first — it’s about getting it right. Over the next year, the city will assess how the ordinance is working and refine it as needed, ensuring that this transition serves the people it's meant to help.
Existing multiunit homes in Sacramento.
When Sacramento adopted its 2040 General Plan in February 2024, community input shaped the vision from the start. “This is truly a general plan that was written by city staff but deeply informed by the community,” said Isaac Gonzalez, president of the Tahoe Park Neighborhood Association. “This is Sacramento’s plan.”
Missing Middle Housing is just one piece of that plan — one of many steps Sacramento is taking to welcome new neighbors while making sure longtime residents can stay and thrive in the city they call home.
Taking these steps earned Sacramento a spot on Strong Towns’ map of Housing-Ready Cities. It’s also part of the reason the city was selected to compete in this year’s Strongest Town Contest. Click here to learn more about the competitors and cast your vote. And if you want your city to start welcoming housing like Sacramento has, share the new housing toolkit with your local officials!