3948 Downey Way
Sacramento 95817 · Med Center · City of Sacramento · Coordinates: 38.55634, -121.46197
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 $507,000 ($446,000–$568,000).
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 4,792 sq ft lot. Local precedent is active with 22 ADU permits within ¼ mile over the last 36 months.
Source: City of Sacramento zoning · CA Gov. Code 66314 & 65852.21
- ✓ Documented permitted upgrades (+$22,860 contributory est.)
Public building records show issued construction/renovation work on this parcel (4 total permits, latest Oct 14, 2026).
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)
- ! 6 slow or stalled nearby projects within ½ mile
Closest lead: Accessory dwelling unit at 3243 X St (0.42 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 (~$6,230/yr at $507,000)
Sale triggers reassessment to 1.00% base + ~0.14% voter debt (~$519/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:
- 4,792 sq ft (0.11 ac)
- Assessor use:
- Residential · Single Family · Subdivision
- Tax rate area:
- 03005
- Addresses on lot:
- 3948 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 4,792 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: $446,000 – $568,000 · 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)0.42 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 SE
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.
- W Street Four-Plexes (Entitled)0.41 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).
- Accessory dwelling unit at 2415 36th St (In review)0.18 mi SW
In "In review" for 7 mo (since Mar 30, 2026), exceeding the 45d median and 184d 90th percentile for new single-family home permits in City of Sacramento (n=3,657).
Entity-resolved builders & contractors in ½ mile: Premier Pools (1 on parcel, 8 in ½ mi · Pool / spa); Clarke And Rush Mechanical (2 on parcel, 3 in ½ mi · HVAC / heat pump); Creative Electric (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Electrical / panel); Veritas Design Build (12 in ½ mi · New single-family home); Alli Construction (10 in ½ mi · New single-family home).
Permit & Project History on This Parcel (4 permits, 0 grouped projects)
| Record # | Category | Status | Applied / Issued | Valuation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RES-2623019 | HVAC / heat pump | Issued | Iss. Oct 14, 2026 | $18,720 | No Duct Work Permitted. Change-out Split System to Split System. The existing unit shall be removed. The new unit shall … |
| RES-2203360 | Roof replacement | Finaled | Iss. Feb 14, 2022 | $8,910 | No Duct Work Permitted. New install/New location Mini-Split System. A unit will be installed in a new location. This uni… |
| RES-1904934 | Electrical / panel | Finaled | Iss. Mar 20, 2019 | $7,255 | AA: existing panel 125 Amps - Overhead service, new main panel 200 Amps, Replacement weather head/masthead work, main br… |
| RES-1902765 | Pool / spa | Finaled | Iss. Feb 14, 2019 | $63,500 | EXPEDITED - INSTALL 350 SQ INGROUND GUNITE POOL |