<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?>
<FilingSummary>
  <Version>3.6.0.2</Version>
  <ProcessingTime/>
  <ReportFormat>html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>218</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>331</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>false</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>64</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>13</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report instance="sgmo-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100000 - Document - Document and Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DocumentDocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>1</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="sgmo-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100010 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/StatementConsolidatedBalanceSheets</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Balance Sheets</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>2</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="sgmo-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100020 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/StatementConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>3</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="sgmo-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100030 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Operations</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfOperations</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Operations</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>4</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="sgmo-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100040 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveLoss</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>5</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="sgmo-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100050 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfStockholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>6</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="sgmo-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100060 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>7</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="sgmo-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100070 - Disclosure - Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureOrganizationAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>8</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="sgmo-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100080 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurement</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurement</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurement</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>9</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="sgmo-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100090 - Disclosure - Marketable Securities</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureMarketableSecurities</Role>
      <ShortName>Marketable Securities</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>10</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="sgmo-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100100 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensation</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-Based Compensation</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>11</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="sgmo-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100110 - Disclosure - Major Customers, Partnerships and Strategic Alliances</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureMajorCustomersPartnershipsAndStrategicAlliances</Role>
      <ShortName>Major Customers, Partnerships and Strategic Alliances</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>12</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="sgmo-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100120 - Disclosure - Acquisition of Ceregene</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAcquisitionOfCeregene</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisition of Ceregene</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>13</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="sgmo-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100130 - Disclosure - Property and Equipment</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePropertyAndEquipment</Role>
      <ShortName>Property and Equipment</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>14</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="sgmo-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100140 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingencies</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>15</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="sgmo-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100150 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>16</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="sgmo-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100160 - Disclosure - Income Taxes</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxes</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>17</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="sgmo-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100170 - Disclosure - Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilities</Role>
      <ShortName>Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>18</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="sgmo-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100180 - Disclosure - Employee Benefit Plan</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureEmployeeBenefitPlan</Role>
      <ShortName>Employee Benefit Plan</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>19</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="sgmo-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100190 - Disclosure - Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureQuarterlyFinancialDataUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>20</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="sgmo-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100200 - Disclosure - Build-to-Suit Lease</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureBuildToSuitLease</Role>
      <ShortName>Build-to-Suit Lease</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>21</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="sgmo-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100210 - Disclosure - Claims Settlement</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureClaimsSettlement</Role>
      <ShortName>Claims Settlement</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>22</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="sgmo-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100220 - Disclosure - Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureOrganizationAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Policies</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureOrganizationAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies</ParentRole>
      <Position>23</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="sgmo-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100230 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurement (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurementTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurement (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurement</ParentRole>
      <Position>24</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="sgmo-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100240 - Disclosure - Marketable Securities (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureMarketableSecuritiesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Marketable Securities (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureMarketableSecurities</ParentRole>
      <Position>25</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="sgmo-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100250 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensation</ParentRole>
      <Position>26</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="sgmo-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100260 - Disclosure - Major Customers, Partnerships and Strategic Alliances (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureMajorCustomersPartnershipsAndStrategicAlliancesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Major Customers, Partnerships and Strategic Alliances (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureMajorCustomersPartnershipsAndStrategicAlliances</ParentRole>
      <Position>27</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="sgmo-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100270 - Disclosure - Property and Equipment (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePropertyAndEquipmentTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Property and Equipment (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePropertyAndEquipment</ParentRole>
      <Position>28</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="sgmo-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100280 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingencies</ParentRole>
      <Position>29</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="sgmo-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100290 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquityTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquity</ParentRole>
      <Position>30</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="sgmo-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100300 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxes</ParentRole>
      <Position>31</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="sgmo-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100310 - Disclosure - Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilities</ParentRole>
      <Position>32</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="sgmo-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100320 - Disclosure - Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureQuarterlyFinancialDataUnauditedTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureQuarterlyFinancialDataUnaudited</ParentRole>
      <Position>33</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="sgmo-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100330 - Disclosure - Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureOrganizationAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>34</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="sgmo-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100340 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurement - Summary of Fair Value Measurements of Cash Equivalents, Available-for-Sale Securities and Contingent Consideration Liability (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurementSummaryOfFairValueMeasurementsOfCashEquivalentsAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAndContingentConsiderationLiabilityDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurement - Summary of Fair Value Measurements of Cash Equivalents, Available-for-Sale Securities and Contingent Consideration Liability (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>35</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="sgmo-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100350 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurement - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurementAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurement - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>36</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="sgmo-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100360 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurement - Schedule of Changes in Estimated Fair Value of Contingent Consideration Liability (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurementScheduleOfChangesInEstimatedFairValueOfContingentConsiderationLiabilityDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurement - Schedule of Changes in Estimated Fair Value of Contingent Consideration Liability (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>37</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="sgmo-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100370 - Disclosure - Marketable Securities - Summary of Cash Equivalents and Available-for-Sale Securities (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureMarketableSecuritiesSummaryOfCashEquivalentsAndAvailableForSaleSecuritiesDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Marketable Securities - Summary of Cash Equivalents and Available-for-Sale Securities (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>38</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="sgmo-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100380 - Disclosure - Marketable Securities - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureMarketableSecuritiesAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Marketable Securities - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>39</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="sgmo-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100390 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation - Stock-Based Compensation Expense (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensationStockBasedCompensationExpenseDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-Based Compensation - Stock-Based Compensation Expense (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>40</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="sgmo-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100400 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensationAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>41</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="sgmo-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100410 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation - Assumptions Used for Estimating Fair Value of Employee Stock Options (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensationAssumptionsUsedForEstimatingFairValueOfEmployeeStockOptionsDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-Based Compensation - Assumptions Used for Estimating Fair Value of Employee Stock Options (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>42</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="sgmo-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100420 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation - Weighted-Average Assumptions Used for Estimating Fair Value of ESPP Purchased Rights (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensationWeightedAverageAssumptionsUsedForEstimatingFairValueOfESPPPurchasedRightsDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-Based Compensation - Weighted-Average Assumptions Used for Estimating Fair Value of ESPP Purchased Rights (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>43</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="sgmo-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100430 - Disclosure - Major Customers, Partnerships and Strategic Alliances - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureMajorCustomersPartnershipsAndStrategicAlliancesAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Major Customers, Partnerships and Strategic Alliances - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>44</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="sgmo-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100440 - Disclosure - Major Customers, Partnerships and Strategic Alliances - Revenues Recognized under Agreement (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureMajorCustomersPartnershipsAndStrategicAlliancesRevenuesRecognizedUnderAgreementDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Major Customers, Partnerships and Strategic Alliances - Revenues Recognized under Agreement (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>45</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="sgmo-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100450 - Disclosure - Major Customers, Partnerships and Strategic Alliances - Agreement with Sigma-Aldrich Corporation - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureMajorCustomersPartnershipsAndStrategicAlliancesAgreementWithSigmaAldrichCorporationAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Major Customers, Partnerships and Strategic Alliances - Agreement with Sigma-Aldrich Corporation - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>46</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="sgmo-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100460 - Disclosure - Major Customers, Partnerships and Strategic Alliances - Agreement with Dow AgroSciences in Plant Agriculture - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureMajorCustomersPartnershipsAndStrategicAlliancesAgreementWithDowAgrosciencesInPlantAgricultureAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Major Customers, Partnerships and Strategic Alliances - Agreement with Dow AgroSciences in Plant Agriculture - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>47</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="sgmo-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100470 - Disclosure - Major Customers, Partnerships and Strategic Alliances - California Institute for Regenerative Medicine - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureMajorCustomersPartnershipsAndStrategicAlliancesCaliforniaInstituteForRegenerativeMedicineAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Major Customers, Partnerships and Strategic Alliances - California Institute for Regenerative Medicine - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>48</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="sgmo-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100480 - Disclosure - Acquisition of Ceregene - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAcquisitionOfCeregeneAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisition of Ceregene - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>49</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="sgmo-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100490 - Disclosure - Property and Equipment - Summary of Property and Equipment (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePropertyAndEquipmentSummaryOfPropertyAndEquipmentDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Property and Equipment - Summary of Property and Equipment (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>50</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="sgmo-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100500 - Disclosure - Property and Equipment - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePropertyAndEquipmentAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Property and Equipment - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>51</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="sgmo-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100510 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>52</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="sgmo-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100520 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies - Summary of Future Minimum Payments under Contractual Obligations (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesSummaryOfFutureMinimumPaymentsUnderContractualObligationsDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies - Summary of Future Minimum Payments under Contractual Obligations (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>53</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="sgmo-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R54.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100530 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquityAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>54</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="sgmo-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R55.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100540 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity - Summary of Stock Option Activity (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquitySummaryOfStockOptionActivityDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity - Summary of Stock Option Activity (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>55</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="sgmo-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R56.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100550 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity - Summary of Stock Options Outstanding (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquitySummaryOfStockOptionsOutstandingDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity - Summary of Stock Options Outstanding (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>56</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="sgmo-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R57.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100560 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity - Summary of Restricted Stock Unit Activity (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquitySummaryOfRestrictedStockUnitActivityDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity - Summary of Restricted Stock Unit Activity (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>57</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="sgmo-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R58.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100570 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Summary of Benefit for Income Taxes (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesSummaryOfBenefitForIncomeTaxesDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes - Summary of Benefit for Income Taxes (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>58</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="sgmo-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R59.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100580 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>59</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="sgmo-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R60.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100590 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Schedule of Difference Between Benefit for Income Taxes and Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesScheduleOfDifferenceBetweenBenefitForIncomeTaxesAndFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRateDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes - Schedule of Difference Between Benefit for Income Taxes and Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>60</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="sgmo-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R61.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100600 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Schedule of Company's Deferred Tax Assets (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesScheduleOfCompanySDeferredTaxAssetsDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes - Schedule of Company's Deferred Tax Assets (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>61</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="sgmo-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R62.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100610 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Summary of Activity Related to Company's Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesSummaryOfActivityRelatedToCompanySUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes - Summary of Activity Related to Company's Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>62</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="sgmo-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R63.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100620 - Disclosure - Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities - Summary of Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesSummaryOfAccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities - Summary of Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>63</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="sgmo-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R64.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100630 - Disclosure - Employee Benefit Plan - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureEmployeeBenefitPlanAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Employee Benefit Plan - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>64</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="sgmo-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R65.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100640 - Disclosure - Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) - Summary of Quarterly Financial Data (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureQuarterlyFinancialDataUnauditedSummaryOfQuarterlyFinancialDataDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) - Summary of Quarterly Financial Data (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureQuarterlyFinancialDataUnauditedTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>65</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="sgmo-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R66.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100650 - Disclosure - Build-to-Suit Lease - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureBuildToSuitLeaseAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Build-to-Suit Lease - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>66</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="sgmo-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R67.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100660 - Disclosure - Claims Settlement - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sangamo.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureClaimsSettlementAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Claims Settlement - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>67</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>sgmo-20161231.xml</File>
    <File>sgmo-20161231.xsd</File>
    <File>sgmo-20161231_cal.xml</File>
    <File>sgmo-20161231_def.xml</File>
    <File>sgmo-20161231_lab.xml</File>
    <File>sgmo-20161231_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles/>
  <BaseTaxonomies/>
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
