It's now easier to construct housing and commercial buildings in Sacramento. Here's why
Photo Credit: Tim Meyer
Sacramento, CA (Mar. 13, 2023) - It’s now even easier to build housing, commercial and industrial development projects in the city of Sacramento in part to a new state law.
Assembly Bill (AB) 2097 went into effect Jan. 1 and prohibits cities and counties from setting minimum parking requirements on projects that are within one-half mile of frequent transit such as light rail stations and bus stops.
“Building parking is expensive, and builders often pass along the costs to residents, employers and visitors,” said the City of Sacramento’s Associate Planner, Ryan Dodge. “Ending minimum parking mandates frees a builder to right-size how much parking a site needs, if any. ”
Approximately 44% of the city now will not have parking minimums for new construction projects and changes of land use, which will allow for more development of housing options.
Image courtesy of Sacramento Regional Transit
AB 2097 builds on earlier work by the City to end minimum parking mandates, which the City did in the Central Business and Arts & Entertainment District in the Downtown neighborhood, and in 2018 for all properties (not just new development projects) within one-quarter mile of all existing and proposed light rail stations.
The City is looking at ending minimum parking mandates citywide by 2024 as part of the City’s eight-year housing strategy to produce over 45,000 housing units of all types by 2029.
The City is implementing several strategies to incentivize more housing options including waiving fees for affordable housing construction, increasing Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) production, and allowing for a greater array of housing types such as duplexes, triplexes and fourplexes throughout the city.
The City last year was the first to receive the State’s pro-housing designation which gives the City a greater advantage in applying for funding for housing, transportation and infrastructure.
