521 38th St
Sacramento 95816 · East Sacramento · City of Sacramento · Coordinates: 38.57496, -121.45347
Executive Verdict · Public-Records Synthesis
Zoned R-1 in City of Sacramento with likely ADU & SB 9 infill eligibility and zero mapped flood, fire, or fault hazard overlaps; benchmark value $736,000 ($648,000–$824,000).
Upsides & Opportunities
- ✓ ADU & SB 9 infill pathways screen as likely eligible
Zoned R-1 supports ministerial ADU/JADU review plus SB 9 both two-unit development and ministerial urban lot split on a 5,834 sq ft lot. Local precedent is active with 13 ADU permits within ¼ mile over the last 36 months.
Source: City of Sacramento zoning · CA Gov. Code 66314 & 65852.21
- ✓ 4 documented municipal building permits on file
On-parcel permit history is indexed through Sep 9, 2026, letting you verify roof, HVAC, electrical, or structural work against seller disclosures.
Source: City of Sacramento CDD, Issued Building Permits (Current Year) (parcel APN)
- ✓ Above-average reinvestment in East Sacramento
522 substantial renovation & housing permits over 24 months (62.3 per 1,000 parcels vs. 30.4 citywide baseline) (#48 of 102 neighborhoods).
Source: City of Sacramento CDD, Issued Building Permits (Current Year) (East Sacramento)
Watchouts & Due Diligence
- ! Mapped flood awareness zone (Zone X: reduced flood risk due to levee)
all of the lot of the parcel intersects Zone X: reduced flood risk due to levee. Outside mandatory federal SFHA insurance rules, but check local drainage and finished-floor requirements.
Source: FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer (parcel polygon)
- ! 6 slow or stalled nearby projects within ½ mile
Closest lead: Accessory dwelling unit at 512 San Miguel Way (460 ft E, in review). Inspect timeline history before assuming near-term completion.
Source: City of Sacramento CDD, Issued Building Permits (Current Year) · HCD APR (½-mile radius)
- ! Year 1 Prop 13 tax reset (~$8,840/yr at $736,000)
Sale triggers reassessment to 1.00% base + ~0.14% voter debt (~$737/mo). Confirm exact Mello-Roos / CFD special assessments on the county tax bill.
Source: CA Const. Art. XIIIA (Prop 13) · County Tax Collector
Parcel & Assessor
- Lot size:
- 5,834 sq ft (0.13 ac)
- Assessor use:
- Residential · Single Family · Subdivision
- Tax rate area:
- 03005
- Addresses on lot:
- 521 38TH ST
Zoning & Land Use
R-1 — Single-Unit Dwelling Zone (R)
2040 General Plan: Neighborhood (FAR up to 1)
State Housing Pathways Screen (ADU & SB 9)
- ADU or junior ADULikely eligible
Zoned R-1 (single-family residential): state law allows ADUs where homes are allowed.
- SB 9: two homes on the lotLikely eligible
Zoned R-1, a single-family residential zone.
- SB 9: split into two lotsLikely eligible
Zoned R-1, a single-family residential zone. The lot is 5,834 sq ft by the assessor, room for two lots of at least 1,200 sq ft, each at least 40% of the original.
Mapped Hazard Zones on This Lot
- CAL FIRE Fire Hazard Severity Zone
- Not in a State-mapped fire hazard severity zone
- FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer
- Zone X: reduced flood risk due to levee (all of the lot) · FIRM panel 06067C0180J, effective June 16, 2015
- CGS Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zone
- Not in an Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zone
Surrounding Rent & Value Benchmarks (Public Records)
Range: $648,000 – $824,000 · Status: Off market
HUD Small Area FMR (ZIP 95816) · FY 2026
Studio $2,120 · 1BR $2,220 · 2BR $2,730 · 3BR $3,630 · 4BR $4,190
Developments Deserving Closer Investigation & Active Area Builders
- Accessory dwelling unit at 512 San Miguel Way (In review)460 ft E
In "In review" for 4.4 yr (since Jul 7, 2022), exceeding the 45d median and 184d 90th percentile for new single-family home permits in City of Sacramento (n=3,657). current_status changed to "Expired Application" in snapshot Nov 1, 2026.
- New home at 3945 L St (Issued)0.49 mi S
Active in "Issued" for 18 mo (first record May 20, 2025) with no new permit activity recorded in 15 mo. High-impact scale (1 housing unit, $800,000 declared valuation across 3 permits).
- Accessory dwelling unit at 635 38th St (Entitled)520 ft S
In "Entitled" for 3.7 yr (since Feb 22, 2023), exceeding the 45d median and 184d 90th percentile for new single-family home permits in City of Sacramento (n=3,657).
- 2 new homes at 539 41st St (Entitled)0.26 mi E
In "Entitled" for 3.6 yr (since Apr 25, 2023), exceeding the 184d median and 575d 90th percentile for new duplex / half-plex permits in City of Sacramento (n=115).
Entity-resolved builders & contractors in ½ mile: Pinnacle Home Services (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · General repair); Reys Air Solution (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · HVAC / heat pump); Depiazza And Reed Construction (21 in ½ mi · Addition (adds square footage)); Connected Technology (17 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); Tms Construction (14 in ½ mi · Addition (adds square footage)).
Permit & Project History on This Parcel (4 permits, 0 grouped projects)
| Record # | Category | Status | Applied / Issued | Valuation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RES-2619819 | HVAC / heat pump | Issued | Iss. Sep 9, 2026 | $20,933 | No Duct Work Permitted. Change-out Split System to Split System (all-electric heat pump). The existing unit shall be rem… |
| RES-2524191 | General repair | Finaled | Iss. Dec 15, 2025 | $21,900 | EPC - EVERJACKS ARE TO BE VOLUNTARILY INSTALLED TO PREVENT FURTHER SUBSIDENCE OF THE EXISTING BLDG. |
| RES-1601902 | Electrical / panel | Finaled | Iss. Feb 9, 2016 | $1,000 | RELOCATION OF METER. Carbon monoxide & Smoke alarms required. Reference CRC sections R315 & R314 |
| RES-1600722 | Plan revision / deferred submittal | Complete | App. Jan 15, 2016 | — | REVISION TO RES-1510026 TRUSS CALCS |