Documents, references, and implementation resources.

The official brief, rules, and appendices for the Sacramento Three & Up Challenge.

Appendix A: Historical Drivers of the Housing Crisis

This appendix explains how decades of market failures, demographic shifts, and policy decisions have produced an imbalance between housing supply and demand creating a competitive and unaffordable market in Sacramento and beyond.
Updated: July 1, 2026

Appendix B: Sacramento’s Missing Middle Housing Interim Ordinance

This appendix defines missing middle housing and Sacramento’s Missing Middle Housing Interim Ordinance.
Updated: July 1, 2026

Appendix C: Geography, Climate, and Design Implications for the Sacramento Region

This appendix describes the Sacramento region’s geography and climate and outlines how local conditions should inform architecture, building performance, and site planning considerations for missing middle housing.
Updated: July 1, 2026

Appendix D: Demographics

This appendix outlines Sacramento’s demographic profile as a diverse and growing city.
Updated: July 1, 2026

Appendix E: Economy

The appendix identifies Sacramento’s economic landscape, wage and employment conditions, current housing market dynamics, and the implications of this for policy and missing middle housing.
Updated: July 1, 2026

Appendix F: Site Selection & Neighborhood Information

This appendix outlines the neighborhoods relevant to missing middle infill development for the selected competition sites.
Updated: July 1, 2026

Appendix G: Financial Considerations

This appendix introduces the basic financial concepts used to evaluate small-scale housing projects at the concept and early entitlement stage.
Updated: July 1, 2026

Appendix H: Arts & Culture

This appendix introduces the basic financial concepts used to evaluate small-scale housing projects at the concept and early entitlement stage.
Updated: July 1, 2026

Appendix I: Education

This appendix outlines Sacramento’s education landscape and how this shapes who lives in the city, where they choose to live, and housing needs.
Updated: July 1, 2026

Appendix J: Planning & Geospatial Reference Resources

This appendix provides planning and geospatial resources to define land use, zoning, and policy context. Competition participants may use these sources to verify assumptions, understand policy intent, and ground their design decisions in real-world conditions. These documents are optional reference materials and are not required for participation.
Updated: July 1, 2026

Appendix K: Transportation & Mobility

This appendix outlines current mobility realities in Sacramento and opportunities for enhanced transportation options in the future.
Updated: July 1, 2026

Appendix L: Missing Middle Housing Typologies

This appendix provides an overview of multi-unit housing typologies relevant to the Missing Middles Sacramento Three & Up Challenge. It covers characteristics, historical context, and design implications of different small- to mid-scale housing formats.
Updated: July 1, 2026

Appendix M: Sacramento’s Regulatory & Permitting Process

This appendix provides an overview of the regulatory and permitting pathway for new housing development in the City of Sacramento. It outlines the required approvals, key agencies, timelines, and associated costs. By understanding this pathway, developers can more efficiently navigate the city’s systems and advance housing projects from concept to construction.
Updated: July 1, 2026

Appendix N: Life-Cycle Housing, Aging in Place, and Universal Design

This appendix outlines the neighborhoods relevant to missing middle infill development for the selected competition sites.
Updated: July 1, 2026

Appendix O: Submission Package Instructions

This appendix provides practical instructions for preparing a complete and reviewable submission package for the Missing Middles Sacramento Three & Up Challenge™. It is intended to help contestants organize their boards, narrative, feasibility materials, and required files in a clear and consistent format.
Updated: July 1, 2026

Appendix P: Bibliography

This appendix provides an overview of the regulatory and permitting pathway for new housing development in the City of Sacramento. It outlines the required approvals, key agencies, timelines, and associated costs. By understanding this pathway, developers can more efficiently navigate the city’s systems and advance housing projects from concept to construction.
Updated: July 1, 2026

Competition Terms & Conditions

Legally binding terms governing eligibility, submissions, judging, IP rights, awards, and liability for the Sacramento Three & Up Challenge.
Updated: July 1, 2026

Entrant IP License Agreement

Ownership, licensing, and permitted uses of Submission Materials for the Sacramento Three & Up Challenge, including Non-Commercial Use rights and Entrant retained rights.
Updated: July 1, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore frequently asked questions covering competition rules, eligibility, submissions, and key dates.
Updated: July 1, 2026

Missing Middles Design Brief

Design program, submission requirements, judging criteria, and awards for the Sacramento Three & Up Challenge.
Updated: July 1, 2026

Official Competition Rules

Official rules for the Sacramento Three & Up Challenge, covering eligibility, submission requirements, evaluation criteria, and awards.
Updated: July 1, 2026