521 Senator Ave
Sacramento 95833 · Gardenland · City of Sacramento · Coordinates: 38.62411, -121.47429
Executive Verdict · Public-Records Synthesis
Zoned R-1 in City of Sacramento with likely ministerial ADU eligibility and mapped FEMA A99 flood due diligence; benchmark value $510,000 ($449,000–$571,000).
Upsides & Opportunities
- ✓ Ministerial ADU / JADU pathway likely eligible
Zone R-1 allows residential use qualifying for ministerial ADU review under state law (10 ADU permits permitted within ¼ mile in 36 months).
Source: City of Sacramento zoning · CA Gov. Code 66314
- ✓ Documented permitted upgrades (+$68,113 contributory est.)
Public building records show issued construction/renovation work on this parcel (5 total permits, latest Oct 16, 2020).
Source: City of Sacramento CDD, Issued Building Permits (Current Year) (parcel APN)
Watchouts & Due Diligence
- ! FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area (A99, all of the lot of lot)
Zone A99: 1% annual chance flood (Special Flood Hazard Area) overlaps this parcel. Expect mandatory flood insurance for federally backed loans and floodplain elevation/mitigation rules for new units or SB 9 applications.
Source: FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer (parcel polygon)
- ! Delayed or open permit activity on this parcel
Addition (adds square footage) (RES-1716952): Issued after 7 mo (4.8× the 42d median) — slower than 90% of addition (adds square footage) permits in City of Sacramento (median 42d, 90th pct 162d, n=1,948).
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 3207 Nordyke Dr (0.14 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 (~$6,264/yr at $510,000)
Sale triggers reassessment to 1.00% base + ~0.14% voter debt (~$522/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:
- 10,019 sq ft (0.23 ac)
- Assessor use:
- Residential · Single Family · Subdivision
- Tax rate area:
- 03126
- Addresses on lot:
- 521 SENATOR AVE
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 lotPossible, with conditions
Zoned R-1, a single-family residential zone. FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area (Zone A99) covers all of the lot: the project must meet the National Flood Insurance Program floodplain standards, or the lot needs a map revision.
- SB 9: split into two lotsPossible, with conditions
Zoned R-1, a single-family residential zone. The lot is 10,019 sq ft by the assessor, room for two lots of at least 1,200 sq ft, each at least 40% of the original. FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area (Zone A99) covers all of the lot: the project must meet the National Flood Insurance Program floodplain standards, or the lot needs a map revision.
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 A99: 1% annual chance flood (Special Flood Hazard Area) (all of the lot) · FIRM panel 06067C0176J, 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: $449,000 – $571,000 · Status: Off market
HUD Small Area FMR (ZIP 95833) · FY 2026
Studio $1,920 · 1BR $2,020 · 2BR $2,480 · 3BR $3,300 · 4BR $3,810
Developments Deserving Closer Investigation & Active Area Builders
- Accessory dwelling unit at 3207 Nordyke Dr (In review)0.14 mi W
In "In review" for 11 mo (since Dec 11, 2025), 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 "Ready-to-Issue" in snapshot Nov 1, 2026.
- San Juan Road Subdivision (Entitled)0.48 mi NW
In "Entitled" for 4.3 yr (since Jul 26, 2022), exceeding the 210d median and 627d 90th percentile for new multifamily / condos / mixed-use permits in City of Sacramento (n=199). High-impact scale (82 housing units across 0 permits).
- Addition (adds square footage) (RES-1716952) (Expired Permit)On this parcel
Issued after 7 mo (4.8× the 42d median) — slower than 90% of addition (adds square footage) permits in City of Sacramento (median 42d, 90th pct 162d, n=1,948).
- New home at 532 Tenaya Ave (In review)0.1 mi S
In "In review" for 21 mo (since Feb 7, 2025), 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: Aaron Villegas Construction (2 on parcel, 2 in ½ mi · Addition (adds square footage)); California Custom Sunrooms And Patio Covers (4 in ½ mi · Addition (adds square footage)); Genesis Quality Construction (3 in ½ mi · New single-family home); Fbh Construction (3 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); Beauty Home Construction (3 in ½ mi · Commercial tenant improvement).
Permit & Project History on This Parcel (5 permits, 0 grouped projects)
| Record # | Category | Status | Applied / Issued | Valuation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RES-2015862 | Remodel / interior alteration | Expired Permit | Iss. Oct 16, 2020 | $40,079 | EXPEDITED - EPC - 508 sq. ft. Garage Conversion to habitable space. Replace an existing window by a door at the existing… |
| RES-2004647 | Addition (adds square footage) | Finaled | Iss. Mar 16, 2020 | $5,250 | Permit to Complete Work on RES-1716952: Construct a 498 SF addition, 116 SF garage addition, 63 SF new covered porch. Ro… |
| RES-1900327 | Plumbing / water heater / sewer | Expired Permit | Iss. Jan 7, 2019 | $7,500 | Full Bathroom remodel to include change out of toilet, sink, and tub and associated plumbing. Carbon monoxide & Smoke al… |
| RES-1817977 | Addition (adds square footage) | Expired Application | App. Sep 14, 2018 | $57,375 | Addition patio cover 912'sf/ Conversion garage 392'sf garage not habitable/ not conditioned space/ to be a game room … |