Temporary Shelters
On January 19, 2021, the Sacramento City Council passed Ordinance 2021-002 to provide a process for the review of temporary residential shelters and encampments (“temporary shelter facilities”). Ordinance 2021-002 is in effect until the City Council terminates its Shelter Crisis, adopted by Resolution 2025-0025.
Shelter types
Ordinance 2021-002 defines two shelter types.
Small Temporary Residential Shelters
"Temporary residential shelter" means a facility that provides short-term, congregate or non-congregate, temporary housing to 24 or fewer individuals for free or substantially below cost. Tenancies at such facilities generally do not exceed 60 days, although individuals or families may sometimes stay longer before obtaining long-term, transitional, or permanent housing. Related services that may be provided on-site include health care, mental health services, counseling, case management, permanent housing assistance programs, job training, day centers for individual adults, meal service facilities, child day care, and day centers for families.
Temporary Shelter Facility (“Encampments”)
A “temporary shelter facility” is a facility that provides short-term, temporary shelter to not more than 80 individuals using outdoor tents, park trailers, emergency sleeping cabins, or safe parking lots, which are parking lots that allow individuals living in their vehicles to park overnight, in compliance with the California Building Code Appendix O, the California Residential Code Appendix X, or any other applicable law.
Where can shelters be located?
The location standards for both shelter types are identical and include:
- Sites not eligible if on a list compiled pursuant to California Government Code section 65962.5 (“Hazardous Waste Properties”).
Use California Department of Toxic Substances Control webiste to locate sites.
- Sites eligible in any zone with an existing assembly – cultural, religious, social use.
“Assembly – cultural, religious, social use” means a meeting place at which the public or membership groups are assembled regularly or occasionally, including churches or faith congregations, auditoriums, stadiums, and similar places of assembly.
- Sites without an existing assembly – cultural, religious, social use eligible in the following zones:
a. OB-2
b. OB-3
c. EC
d. SC
e. C-1
f. C-2
g. C-3
h. C-4
i. M-1
j. M-1(S)
k. M-2
l. M-2(S)
m. MIP
n. MRD
o. M-T
p. H
q. SPX
r. TC
s. HC
Use the Land Information Lookup App to identify site zoning.
And which are more than 500-feet from:
- Another temporary shelter facility (as defined above)
- Childcare center
- Childcare in-home family daycare
- School (K-12)
- Park
- Museum
And which are more than ½ mile from a temporary residential shelter (as defined above but of any size).
What zoning standards apply?
Standards apply based on the shelter type.
Small Temporary Residential Shelters
Temporary Shelter Facility (“Encampments”)
See Section 5 of Ordinance 2021-002 for applicable standards.
Shelter Application: Step-by-Step Guide
Ordinance 2021-002 requires an Administrative Permit which is reviewed at staff-level without public notice or hearing. The permit is ministerial meaning applications must meet all applicable standards to receive approval.
Step 1: Determine Eligible Site
Confirm the site:
- Is not a hazardous waste property
- Has an existing assembly – cultural, religious, social use, or
- Is in an allowed zone, located 500-foot from listed uses, and ½-mile from a temporary residential shelter
Note: Planning staff can assist with verifying temporary residential shelter proximity as info about some are not publicly available to protect vulnerable populations.
Step 2: Prepare Project Plans
Design the shelter so that it conforms to applicable standards.
Step 3: Submit Application
Download and complete the Temporary Shelter application.
All applications are submitted online via the Public Permit Portal.
Visit Planning Permit Submittal Service webpage for instructions.
Step 4: Application Review
Submitted applications are first assigned to a city planner and reviewed as follows:
- Completeness – Do the plans provide information for all applicable standards?
- Compliance – Do the plans comply with applicable standards?
- Staff Decision – A record of decision is prepared and issued.
Keep your application on track by:
- Identifying all standards applicable to your project
- Submitting all required information
- Providing documents prepared by qualified professionals
Step 5: Decision
Applications are decided by staff without public notice or hearing.
Decisions are subject to a 10-day reconsideration period.
Step 6: Building Permit
After the reconsideration period lapses, submit a building permit application to the Building Division.
Visit the Electronic Plan Check webpage for instructions.
Questions
Submit questions to planning staff.
Request in-person appointment with planning staff.