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Revised Second Unit (Residential Accessory Dwelling) Standards
(Sacramento County Zoning Code 305-83)
Amended May28, 2003

Lot Area: Minimum of 5,200 sq. ft. per dwelling unit. A parcel with a primary dwelling will need a minimum of 10,400 sq. ft. in order to have an accessory dwelling.

Number of Accessory Units: One residential accessory dwelling per lot

Parking: One parking space per bedroom. Additional parking may be required provided that a justification could be made that the additional parking requirements are directly related to the use of the second unit and are consistent with existing neighborhood standards applicable to existing dwellings.

Surface of Parking and Driveway Areas: Each dwelling unit shall be served by a driveway with a dust free surface constructed to the standards of Public Works.

Setbacks: Front, rear, side, and side-street yard setbacks of the parent zone shall apply. There shall be a minimum 10 feet between an accessory dwelling and the primary residence.

Height: A maximum of 14 feet measured from the grade to the plate line of the structure and a maximum of 16 feet in height overall. The Project Planning Commission may approve a residential accessory dwelling which exceeds these standards provided the proposed height will not adversely affect adjoining residentially zoned property, and further provided that the residential accessory dwelling does not exceed the allowable height of the primary residential structure on the lot.

Sewer and Water: Public sewer and water facilities shall be provided in the RD zones.

Maximum Floor Area: A maximum of 400 sq. ft. in habitable floor area. Larger floor areas may be considered via the use permit process, but in no event larger than 1,200 sq. ft. of habitable floor area.

Additional Requirements: The Project Planning Commission may apply additional conditions to a use permit relative, but not limited to, dwelling size, location, access, height, etc., if special circumstances arise requiring such mitigation of anticipated adverse impacts to neighboring residences.

Attached Units: Attached units shall share entrances with the primary unit, and shall be clearly incidental and subordinate architecturally to the primary unit.