North Highlands and its mid-century homes

A postwar community next to a former base

North Highlands is an unincorporated community, so Sacramento County handles land use and building permits and the Sheriff’s Office provides law enforcement. Much of it was built in the 1950s and 1960s. McClellan Air Force Base closed in 2001, and the site has since been redeveloped as McClellan Park, a business park, with McClellan Airfield operated by the Sacramento County Department of Airports.

The base also had a long environmental cleanup program overseen by federal and state agencies. If you’re looking at a home close to the former base, read the statutory disclosures carefully and ask about any environmental reports that apply. The Sacramento County guide explains how the county’s unincorporated communities are governed.

Mid-century homes and what to expect

Typical homes are modest single-story ranch houses on suburban lots, often with a garage or carport, some converted garages and later additions. Many have been updated, from a new kitchen to a full renovation. That variety is the main thing to understand: two homes on the same street may have very different electrical, plumbing and foundation stories. Lot sizes are fairly consistent, so the house itself, and the work that has or hasn’t been done to it, drives most of the difference between listings.

Systems worth a close look

• Electrical: original panels from the period, including some brands that inspectors routinely flag, and limited circuits for modern loads.
• Plumbing: galvanized steel supply lines and cast-iron or clay drains that may be near the end of their life.
• Ducts and materials: homes of this age can contain asbestos in duct wrap, flooring or textured ceilings, and lead paint in older coats. Testing before you renovate is wise.
• Sewer lateral: a camera inspection tells you the condition of the line to the street.

Judging a renovated home

Fully renovated homes are common here, sometimes by investors who buy, update and resell. A good renovation is a real advantage; a cosmetic one can hide old systems behind new finishes. Ask for the permits behind the work, look up the contractor’s license with the Contractors State License Board, and ask your inspector to focus on what’s behind the walls: panel, wiring, supply lines, drains and the roof structure. New paint and flooring tell you little about those.

Our guide to comparing homes during your search includes a simple way to weigh an updated home against one that still needs work.

Address-specific checks

1. 01Look up the county permit history for the address and compare it with the renovation described in the listing.
2. 02Check whether the home is within the airport influence area for McClellan Airfield or flight paths for Sacramento International; the disclosures will note it.
3. 03Use the county’s water-company lookup to identify the provider and ask for recent bills.
4. 04Review the FEMA flood map; some areas lie near creeks that drain toward the Natomas Basin.
5. 05Read the tax bill for any assessments.

Dan’s buyer guidance covers inspection timing. If you’re also looking at nearby Antelope, its homes are generally newer, with different trade-offs.

If you’re selling in North Highlands

Buyers here range from first-time buyers using FHA or VA loans to investors paying cash, and how you prepare depends on which you want to reach. The North Highlands home-selling guide explains the trade-offs, and a comparative market analysis shows how condition affects price.

Common questions

Is North Highlands a city?

No. It is an unincorporated community in Sacramento County. The county handles zoning, permits and law enforcement, and the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District provides fire protection.

Does the former McClellan base affect homes nearby?

The base closed in 2001 and is now a business park and county-operated airfield. Homes near it may receive airport-related notices, and the site’s environmental history may appear in disclosures. Read the disclosure reports for the specific address and ask questions early.

How can I tell if a renovation was done well?

Ask for permits and contractor information, check the contractor’s license, and have your inspector focus on electrical, plumbing, roof and foundation rather than finishes. A sewer camera inspection is also worthwhile for homes of this age.

Official sources

Records and rules are parcel-specific, so look up the exact address with the responsible agency.

• Sacramento County Building Permits and InspectionPermit records and inspections for unincorporated addresses.(opens in a new tab)
• Sacramento County Department of AirportsSacramento International and the county’s other airports.(opens in a new tab)
• Contractors State License BoardCheck a contractor’s California license before hiring.(opens in a new tab)
• EPA: lead-based paint disclosureFederal disclosure rules for homes built before 1978.(opens in a new tab)
• Sacramento County: Find My Water CompanyLook up which water provider serves an address.(opens in a new tab)

Local rules, districts and fees change. This guide is general information, not legal, tax, insurance or lending advice, and it describes places by property, travel, costs and services, never by who lives there.