280 Margarita Dr
San Rafael 94901 · Country Club · Unincorporated Marin · Coordinates: 37.98086, -122.49604
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 $1,757,000 ($1,546,000–$1,968,000).
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 88,819 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 (+$22,926 contributory est.)
Public building records show issued construction/renovation work on this parcel (2 total permits, latest Feb 7, 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)
- ! 6 slow or stalled nearby projects within ½ mile
Closest lead: Accessory dwelling unit at 41 Fairway Dr (adu 41a) (0.36 mi SW, 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)
- ! Year 1 Prop 13 tax reset (~$20,656/yr at $1,757,000)
Sale triggers reassessment to 1.00% base + ~0.15% voter debt (~$1,721/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:
- 88,819 sq ft (2.04 ac)
- Assessor use:
- Single-Resid. - Improved
- Addresses on lot:
- 280 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 88,819 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: $1,546,000 – $1,968,000 · 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
- Accessory dwelling unit at 41 Fairway Dr (adu 41a) (Issued)0.36 mi SW
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).
- Accessory dwelling unit at 296 Margarita Dr (Applied)360 ft NE
In "Applied" for 4.6 yr (since Mar 22, 2022), exceeding the 253d median and 686d 90th percentile for new single-family home permits in Unincorporated Marin (n=121).
- New home (Entitled)0.22 mi SE
In "Entitled" for 6.3 yr (since Aug 4, 2020), exceeding the 253d median and 686d 90th percentile for new single-family home permits in Unincorporated Marin (n=121).
- Single Family Home (Entitled)0.36 mi W
In "Entitled" for 3.3 yr (since Jul 19, 2023), exceeding the 253d median and 686d 90th percentile for new single-family home permits in Unincorporated Marin (n=121).
Entity-resolved builders & contractors in ½ mile: Powur PBC Which Will Do Business In California As (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Solar / battery storage); Sunnova Energy (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Solar / battery storage); Owner Builder (13 in ½ mi · New garage / accessory structure); Owner (6 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); Coastal Construction (4 in ½ mi · New garage / accessory structure).
Permit & Project History on This Parcel (2 permits, 0 grouped projects)
| Record # | Category | Status | Applied / Issued | Valuation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B41151 | Solar / battery storage | Issued | Iss. Feb 7, 2025 | $17,000 | Install 1 Tesla Powerwall battery storage system, 1 tesla backup gateway, and a new backup load panel |
| B33723 | Solar / battery storage | Issued | Iss. May 3, 2023 | $38,500 | Roof Mounted Solar; 14.4 KW; 36 Modules, 36 Micro-Inverters; DERATE: (E) 200A MAIN BREAKER TO BE DERATED TO (N) 175A TO … |