246 Margarita Dr
San Rafael 94901 · Country Club · Unincorporated Marin · Coordinates: 37.97862, -122.49694
Executive Verdict · Public-Records Synthesis
Zoned R1-B4 in Unincorporated Marin with likely ADU & SB 9 infill eligibility and mapped CAL FIRE moderate fire hazard severity zone (local responsibility area) due diligence; benchmark value $1,790,000 ($1,575,000–$2,005,000).
Upsides & Opportunities
- ✓ ADU & SB 9 infill pathways screen as likely eligible
Zoned R1-B4 supports ministerial ADU/JADU review plus SB 9 both two-unit development and ministerial urban lot split on a 42,166 sq ft lot. Local precedent is active with 1 ADU permit within ¼ mile over the last 36 months.
Source: Unincorporated Marin zoning · CA Gov. Code 66314 & 65852.21
- ✓ Documented permitted upgrades (+$55,607 contributory est.)
Public building records show issued construction/renovation work on this parcel (12 total permits, latest Mar 14, 2025).
Source: County of Marin Community Development Agency, Building Permits (unincorporated Marin) (parcel APN)
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)
- ! Delayed or open permit activity on this parcel
Other (178331): Issued after 8 mo — slower than 90% of other permits in Unincorporated Marin (median 0d, 90th pct 71d, n=1,560).
Source: County of Marin Community Development Agency, Building Permits (unincorporated Marin) (review-time benchmark)
- ! 4 slow or stalled nearby projects within ½ mile
Closest lead: Accessory dwelling unit at 41 Fairway Dr (adu 41a) (0.26 mi W, issued). Inspect timeline history before assuming near-term completion.
Source: County of Marin Community Development Agency, Building Permits (unincorporated Marin) · HCD APR (½-mile radius)
Parcel & Assessor
- Lot size:
- 42,166 sq ft (0.97 ac)
- Assessor use:
- Single-Resid. - Improved
- Addresses on lot:
- 246 MARGARITA DR
Zoning & Land Use
R1-B4 — Residential Single Family (Unincorporated Marin)
State Housing Pathways Screen (ADU & SB 9)
- ADU or junior ADULikely eligible
Zoned R1-B4 (single-family residential): state law allows ADUs where homes are allowed.
- SB 9: two homes on the lotLikely eligible
Zoned R1-B4, a single-family residential zone.
- SB 9: split into two lotsLikely eligible
Zoned R1-B4, a single-family residential zone. The lot is 42,166 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 06041C0476E, 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: $1,575,000 – $2,005,000 · 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
Developments Deserving Closer Investigation & Active Area Builders
- Other (178331) (Issued)On this parcel
Issued after 8 mo — slower than 90% of other permits in Unincorporated Marin (median 0d, 90th pct 71d, n=1,560).
- Solar / battery storage (90851) (Applied)On this parcel
Pending in review for 3.7 yr — slower than 90% of solar / battery storage permits in Unincorporated Marin (median 0d, 90th pct 2d, n=2,977).
- Accessory dwelling unit at 41 Fairway Dr (adu 41a) (Issued)0.26 mi W
Active in "Issued" for 23 mo (first record Dec 4, 2024) with no new permit activity recorded in 18 mo. High-impact scale (1 housing unit, $2,025,000 declared valuation across 1 permit).
- New home at 195 Fairway Dr (Issued)0.39 mi SW
Active in "Issued" for 5.6 yr (first record Mar 22, 2021) with no new permit activity recorded in 5.5 yr. High-impact scale (1 housing unit, $1,400,000 declared valuation across 1 permit).
Entity-resolved builders & contractors in ½ mile: Owner Builder (1 on parcel, 20 in ½ mi · Accessory dwelling unit (new or conversion)); Powur PBC (4 on parcel, 4 in ½ mi · Solar / battery storage); Bay Area Window Pros (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Windows / doors / siding); Devine Solar Solutions (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Solar / battery storage); Environmental Heating And Air Solutions (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · HVAC / heat pump).
Permit & Project History on This Parcel (12 permits, 0 grouped projects)
| Record # | Category | Status | Applied / Issued | Valuation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B41342 | Solar / battery storage | Issued | Iss. Mar 14, 2025 | $2,500 | Relocation of (5) solar panels - In relation to closed permits #B35213 and #B35557 that were finaled in October 2024 - P… |
| 178331 | Other | Issued | Iss. Dec 17, 2024 | $20,000 | New Stairs & Deck To Rear Yard |
| B35557 | Solar / battery storage | Issued | Iss. Sep 28, 2023 | $35,250 | Revision to permit B35213. Removing existing roof mounted solar and installing new roof mounted solar (33) 400W modules … |
| B35259 | Solar / battery storage | Issued | Iss. Aug 31, 2023 | $2,000 | Installing 2 50A NEMA 14-50 EV charger outlets (240V) with solar install permit B35213. — EV Charging Station; With Elec… |
| B35213 | Solar / battery storage |