3968 Downey Way
Sacramento 95817 · Med Center · City of Sacramento · Coordinates: 38.55653, -121.46160
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 $494,000 ($435,000–$553,000).
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 5,227 sq ft lot. Local precedent is active with 19 ADU permits within ¼ mile over the last 36 months.
Source: City of Sacramento zoning · CA Gov. Code 66314 & 65852.21
- ✓ Documented permitted upgrades (+$6,166 contributory est.)
Public building records show issued construction/renovation work on this parcel (6 total permits, latest Dec 16, 2020).
Source: City of Sacramento CDD, Issued Building Permits (Current Year) (parcel APN)
- ✓ Above-average reinvestment in Med Center
20 substantial renovation & housing permits over 24 months (37.7 per 1,000 parcels vs. 30.4 citywide baseline) (#51 of 102 neighborhoods).
Source: City of Sacramento CDD, Issued Building Permits (Current Year) (Med Center)
Watchouts & Due Diligence
- ! Mapped flood awareness zone (Zone X: minimal flood hazard)
all of the lot of the parcel intersects Zone X: minimal flood hazard. Outside mandatory federal SFHA insurance rules, but check local drainage and finished-floor requirements.
Source: FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer (parcel polygon)
- ! Delayed or open permit activity on this parcel
New single-family home (RES-1800198): Issued after 6 mo (3.7× the 45d median) — above the 75th percentile for new single-family home permits in City of Sacramento (median 45d, 75th pct 85d, n=3,657).
Source: City of Sacramento CDD, Issued Building Permits (Current Year) (review-time benchmark)
- ! 5 slow or stalled nearby projects within ½ mile
Closest lead: Accessory dwelling unit at 3243 X St (0.44 mi W, 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 (~$6,082/yr at $494,000)
Sale triggers reassessment to 1.00% base + ~0.14% voter debt (~$507/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:
- 5,227 sq ft (0.12 ac)
- Assessor use:
- Residential · Single Family · Subdivision
- Tax rate area:
- 03005
- Addresses on lot:
- 3968 DOWNEY WAY; 3972 DOWNEY WAY
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 5,227 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: minimal flood hazard (all of the lot) · FIRM panel 06067C0190H, effective August 16, 2012
- CGS Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zone
- Not in an Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zone
Surrounding Rent & Value Benchmarks (Public Records)
Range: $435,000 – $553,000 · Status: Off market
HUD Small Area FMR (ZIP 95817) · FY 2026
Studio $1,580 · 1BR $1,660 · 2BR $2,040 · 3BR $2,720 · 4BR $3,130
Developments Deserving Closer Investigation & Active Area Builders
- Accessory dwelling unit at 3243 X St (In review)0.44 mi W
In "In review" for 12 mo (since Nov 6, 2025), exceeding the 45d median and 184d 90th percentile for new single-family home permits in City of Sacramento (n=3,657). issued_date changed to "2026-10-07" in snapshot Nov 1, 2026.
- Accessory dwelling unit at 3943 Colonial Way (Issued)0.11 mi S
Active in "Issued" for 2.1 yr (first record Oct 1, 2024) with no new permit activity recorded in 17 mo. current_status changed to "Finaled" in snapshot Nov 1, 2026.
- New home at 2132 Gerber Ave (Entitled)0.15 mi NW
In "Entitled" for 4.1 yr (since Sep 20, 2022), exceeding the 45d median and 184d 90th percentile for new single-family home permits in City of Sacramento (n=3,657).
- W Street Four-Plexes (Entitled)0.43 mi W
In "Entitled" for 18 mo (since May 14, 2025), exceeding the 210d median and 365d 75th percentile for new multifamily / condos / mixed-use permits in City of Sacramento (n=199). High-impact scale (4 housing units across 0 permits).
Entity-resolved builders & contractors in ½ mile: Connected Technology (1 on parcel, 6 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); Dc Solar Electric (2 on parcel, 2 in ½ mi · Plan revision / deferred submittal); Alli Construction (10 in ½ mi · New single-family home); Anchored Tiny Homes (9 in ½ mi · Accessory dwelling unit (new or conversion)); Indie Capital Constructors (8 in ½ mi · New single-family home).
Permit & Project History on This Parcel (6 permits, 2 grouped projects)
| Record # | Category | Status | Applied / Issued | Valuation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RES-2023271 | Accessory dwelling unit (new or conversion) | Expired Application | App. Dec 16, 2020 | $148,723 | EPC - CONSTRUCTED NEW 1075 SQ FT TWO STORY ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT (1 BED 2 BATH) WITH A 143 SQ FT BALCONY AND A 314 SQ … |
| RES-1921584 | Remodel / interior alteration | Finaled | Iss. Nov 12, 2019 | $1,025 | Add new 40 amp circuit and run 5' of 6 AWG weir in 3/4" conduit with 10 AWG ground from garage sub panel to new Tesla wa… |
| RES-1915471 | Plan revision / deferred submittal | Complete | App. Aug 15, 2019 | — |