255 Clorinda Ave
San Rafael 94901 · San Rafael · Coordinates: 37.96852, -122.54121
Executive Verdict · Public-Records Synthesis
Zoned R7.5 in San Rafael with likely ADU & SB 9 infill eligibility and mapped CAL FIRE moderate fire hazard severity zone (local responsibility area) due diligence; benchmark value $1,391,000 ($1,182,000–$1,600,000).
Upsides & Opportunities
- ✓ ADU & SB 9 infill pathways screen as likely eligible
Zoned R7.5 supports ministerial ADU/JADU review plus SB 9 both two-unit development and ministerial urban lot split on a 5,837 sq ft lot.
Source: San Rafael zoning · CA Gov. Code 66314 & 65852.21
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)
- ! CAL FIRE Moderate Fire Hazard Severity Zone (Local Responsibility Area) (all of the lot of lot)
Located in a mapped Fire Hazard Severity Zone. Expect Chapter 7A ignition-resistant building standards, defensible-space inspections, and stricter property insurance underwriting.
Source: CAL FIRE FHSZ (map Mar 24, 2025)
- ! 6 slow or stalled nearby projects within ½ mile
Closest lead: 8 new homes (0.4 mi NE, entitled). Inspect timeline history before assuming near-term completion.
Source: County of Marin Community Development Agency, Building Permits (unincorporated Marin) · HCD APR (½-mile radius)
- ! Bulk building permits not published for San Rafael
Permit counts and nearby activity on this page may omit municipal counter records. Request a parcel permit report directly from the local building department.
Source: Source coverage registry (San Rafael)
Parcel & Assessor
- Lot size:
- 5,837 sq ft (0.13 ac)
- Assessor use:
- Single-Resid. - Improved
- Addresses on lot:
- 255 CLORINDA AVE
Zoning & Land Use
R7.5 (San Rafael)
State Housing Pathways Screen (ADU & SB 9)
- ADU or junior ADULikely eligible
Zoned R7.5 (single-family residential): state law allows ADUs where homes are allowed. We read R7.5 from the zoning code's name; we haven't checked it against San Rafael's code text.
- SB 9: two homes on the lotLikely eligible
Zoned R7.5, a single-family residential zone. We read R7.5 from the zoning code's name; we haven't checked it against San Rafael's code text.
- SB 9: split into two lotsLikely eligible
Zoned R7.5, a single-family residential zone. We read R7.5 from the zoning code's name; we haven't checked it against San Rafael's code text. The lot is 5,837 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
- Moderate Fire Hazard Severity Zone (Local Responsibility Area) (all of the lot, map Mar 24, 2025)
- FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer
- Zone X: minimal flood hazard (all of the lot) · FIRM panel 06041C0458F, effective March 16, 2016
- CGS Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zone
- Not in an Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zone
Surrounding Rent & Value Benchmarks (Public Records)
Range: $1,182,000 – $1,600,000 · Status: Off market
HUD Small Area FMR (ZIP 94901) · FY 2026
Studio $2,150 · 1BR $2,580 · 2BR $3,120 · 3BR $3,990 · 4BR $4,130
Nearby Activity (½ mile radius, since November 2024)
6 active or recent development projects (76 housing units across completed, permitted, and pipeline stages) and 18 total building permits recorded within ½ mile.
- Demolition1 permit
Developments Deserving Closer Investigation & Active Area Builders
- 8 new homes (Entitled)0.4 mi NE
Active in "Entitled" for 8.1 yr (first record Oct 9, 2018) with no new permit activity recorded in 8.1 yr. High-impact scale (8 housing units, 1 deed-restricted affordable across 0 permits).
- 7 new homes (Entitled)0.45 mi NE
Active in "Entitled" for 6.5 yr (first record Jun 1, 2020) with no new permit activity recorded in 6.5 yr. High-impact scale (7 housing units across 0 permits).
- 10 E Crescent Dr #A.B.C.D (Issued)0.46 mi N
Active in "Issued" for 4.4 yr (first record Jun 27, 2022) with no new permit activity recorded in 4.4 yr. High-impact scale (4 housing units across 0 permits).
- New home (Entitled)440 ft SW
Active in "Entitled" for 7 yr (first record Nov 25, 2019) with no new permit activity recorded in 7 yr.
Permit & Project History on This Parcel (0 permits, 1 grouped projects)
No building permits recorded on this parcel in our dataset.
State HCD Housing Element APR records on this parcel: 1 entry (report years 2023).