521 Potomac Ave
Sacramento 95833 · Gardenland · City of Sacramento · Coordinates: 38.62229, -121.47452
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 $445,000 ($392,000–$498,000).
Upsides & Opportunities
- ✓ Ministerial ADU / JADU pathway likely eligible
Zone R-1 allows residential use qualifying for ministerial ADU review under state law (8 ADU permits permitted within ¼ mile in 36 months).
Source: City of Sacramento zoning · CA Gov. Code 66314
- ✓ 1 documented municipal building permit on file
On-parcel permit history is indexed through Dec 13, 2017, letting you verify roof, HVAC, electrical, or structural work against seller disclosures.
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
New single-family home (RES-1713670): Issued after 4 mo (3.0× 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 3207 Nordyke Dr (0.2 mi NW, 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 (~$5,523/yr at $445,000)
Sale triggers reassessment to 1.00% base + ~0.14% voter debt (~$460/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:
- 10,890 sq ft (0.25 ac)
- Assessor use:
- Residential · Single Family · Subdivision
- Tax rate area:
- 03126
- Addresses on lot:
- 521 POTOMAC 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 10,890 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: $392,000 – $498,000 · 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)0.2 mi NW
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.
- New home at 532 Tenaya Ave (In review)160 ft NW
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).
- New home at 536 Tenaya Ave (In review)190 ft NW
In "In review" for 21 mo (since Jan 29, 2025), exceeding the 45d median and 184d 90th percentile for new single-family home permits in City of Sacramento (n=3,657).
- 2 new homes (Entitled)0.12 mi SE
In "Entitled" for 3.9 yr (since Dec 9, 2022), 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: Genesis Quality Construction (1 on parcel, 3 in ½ mi · New single-family home); California Custom Sunrooms And Patio Covers (4 in ½ mi · Addition (adds square footage)); Fbh Construction (3 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); Beauty Home Construction (3 in ½ mi · Commercial tenant improvement); New Haven Homes (3 in ½ mi · Demolition).
Permit & Project History on This Parcel (1 permits, 1 grouped projects)
| Record # | Category | Status | Applied / Issued | Valuation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RES-1713670 | New single-family home | Finaled | Iss. Dec 13, 2017 | $247,021 | Construct a new1925 sq. ft. single family dwelling with a 441 sq. ft. attached garage and 134 sq. ft. and 170 sq. ft. co… |
State HCD Housing Element APR records on this parcel: 1 entry (report years 2018).