FOR INTENTIONALLY AND RECKLESSLY IGNITING THAT FIRE. THE CITY OF SACRAMENTO IS LOOKING TO BALANCE THE NEED FOR MORE HOUSING WITH THE DESIRE TO PROTECT HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOODS. TOMORROW, THE CITY COUNCIL WILL VOTE ON NEW DESIGN STANDARDS FOR ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS, OR ADUS, ON HISTORIC PROPERTIES. SUPPORTERS SAY CURRENT ADU RULES DON’T FULLY ACCOUNT FOR THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF HISTORIC AREAS. THE PROPOSED STANDARDS WOULD REQUIRE MANY UNITS TO BE BUILT IN BACKYARDS. SPECIAL RULES FOR ALLEY FACING LOTS. HEIGHT LIMITS BASED ON NEARBY HISTORIC BUILDINGS AND RULES O
Sacramento City Council to vote on ADU standards for historic properties
Updated: 11:19 PM PDT Mar 23, 2026
Sacramento’s city council is set to vote on Tuesday on new design standards for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on historic properties, aiming to balance the need for more housing with the desire to protect historic neighborhoods.Supporters say current ADU rules don’t fully account for the unique needs of historic areas. The proposed standards would require many units to be built in the backyard, implement special rules for alley-facing lots, set height limits based on nearby historic buildings, and establish rules on design features like roofs and materials to match the surrounding historic character.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
Sacramento’s city council is set to vote on Tuesday on new design standards for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on historic properties, aiming to balance the need for more housing with the desire to protect historic neighborhoods.
Supporters say current ADU rules don’t fully account for the unique needs of historic areas. The proposed standards would require many units to be built in the backyard, implement special rules for alley-facing lots, set height limits based on nearby historic buildings, and establish rules on design features like roofs and materials to match the surrounding historic character.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel