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Sacramento, California – Sacramento has become the first city in California to allow multi-unit building across all single-family areas in a historic ruling that is expected to boost housing options and make housing more affordable. The Sacramento City Council decided unanimously last Tuesday on the innovative Missing Middle Housing (MMH) Interim Ordinance, meant to change the residential landscape of the city.
What behind Sacramento’s Missing Middle Housing (MMH) Interim Ordinance rule
Under the new Missing Middle Housing (MMH) Interim Ordinance rule, the City of Sacramento will substitute a maximum floor area approach for conventional density restrictions, allowing residential buildings up to 2.5 stories on land formerly set aside for single-family houses. Along with cottage courts and smaller residences on limited lots, this implementation of the Missing Middle Housing (MMH) Interim Ordinance rule allows a range of housing configurations including four-plexes, six-plexes, and even ten-plexes. These new multi-unit homes bridge the gap between single-family homes and more expansive apartment complexes by harmonically merging into current communities without changing their identity.
Mayor Darrell Steinberg expressed his support for the ordinance, highlighting its potential to position Sacramento as a leader in innovative housing solutions. Sacramento would benefit much from this approach. It distinguishes Sacramento from many other cities around the nation by supporting several and creative home styles in traditionally single-family areas.
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City of Sacramento aims to help middle-income families with accessible housing through the Missing Middle Housing (MMH) Interim Ordinance
The measure complements Sacramento’s larger objectives to offer affordable homes. The Missing Middle Housing (MMH) Interim Ordinance wants to provide middle-income families with accessible housing options by boosting the supply of smaller, cheaper homes. This strategy not only supports the economic diversity within the city but also helps satisfy resident vital affordability requirements at different phases of life.
Strong development and design guidelines that preserve the scale and shape suitable for current communities are fundamental elements of the ordinance. The legislation also emphasizes environmental sustainability and quality of life, requiring lots of outside areas for neighbors and fresh tree plantings to help the city’s climate goals.
Associate Planner Nguyen Nguyen noted how this project was motivated by the community.
“We have many residents, young and old, who want to stay in their community but can’t afford to. Without more affordable options, they are being forced to move,” 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 initiative has already received an important award part of Sacramento’s 2040 General Plan
Part of Sacramento’s execution of the 2040 General Plan—which the American Planning Association, California Chapter earlier this year awarded with an Award of Excellence—is the introduction of the new rule. The creative and inclusive ideas of the plan are meant to help the city shape its future, therefore improving its livability for every inhabitant.
Sacramento enacts similar policy like Portland and Minneapolis
Sacramento’s new policy might be the most lenient in the country, following in the footsteps of other American cities including Portland and Minneapolis, which have likewise changed conventional single-family zoning. Set to take effect on October 17, the temporary rule lets the city begin receiving proposals for multi-unit projects. The effectiveness of the Missing Middle Housing (MMH) Interim Ordinance will be tracked over the following year, with changes made as needed before becoming a permanent feature in Sacramento’s zoning rules.
More sustainable and inclusive urban growth could result from Sacramento’s audacious action setting a benchmark for other communities throughout the country battling with housing shortages and affordability challenges.