50 Bret Harte Rd
San Rafael 94901 · California Park · Unincorporated Marin · Coordinates: 37.95376, -122.51354
Executive Verdict · Public-Records Synthesis
Zoned R1-B3 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 $1,517,000 ($1,335,000–$1,699,000).
Upsides & Opportunities
- ✓ ADU & SB 9 infill pathways screen as likely eligible
Zoned R1-B3 supports ministerial ADU/JADU review plus SB 9 both two-unit development and ministerial urban lot split on a 30,928 sq ft lot. Local precedent is active with 4 ADU permits within ¼ mile over the last 36 months.
Source: Unincorporated Marin zoning · CA Gov. Code 66314 & 65852.21
- ✓ Documented permitted upgrades (+$11,840 contributory est.)
Public building records show issued construction/renovation work on this parcel (5 total permits, latest Jun 30, 2023).
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) (about 96% 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
Remodel / interior alteration (91269): Pending in review for 3.4 yr (14.8× the 83d median) — slower than 90% of remodel / interior alteration permits in Unincorporated Marin (median 83d, 90th pct 266d, n=1,054).
Source: County of Marin Community Development Agency, Building Permits (unincorporated Marin) (review-time benchmark)
- ! 5 slow or stalled nearby projects within ½ mile
Closest lead: 79 new homes at 0 Auburn St & Woodland Ave (0.36 mi N, applied). 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:
- 30,928 sq ft (0.71 ac)
- Assessor use:
- Single-Resid. - Improved
- Addresses on lot:
- 50 BRET HARTE RD
Zoning & Land Use
R1-B3 — Residential Single Family (Unincorporated Marin)
State Housing Pathways Screen (ADU & SB 9)
- ADU or junior ADULikely eligible
Zoned R1-B3 (single-family residential): state law allows ADUs where homes are allowed.
- SB 9: two homes on the lotLikely eligible
Zoned R1-B3, a single-family residential zone.
- SB 9: split into two lotsLikely eligible
Zoned R1-B3, a single-family residential zone. The lot is 30,928 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) (about 96% of the lot, map Mar 24, 2025)
- FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer
- Zone X: minimal flood hazard (all of the lot) · FIRM panel 06041C0459F, 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: $1,335,000 – $1,699,000 · 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
- 79 new homes at 0 Auburn St & Woodland Ave (Applied)0.36 mi N
In "Applied" for 23 mo (since Dec 18, 2024), exceeding the 292d median and 313d 90th percentile for new multifamily / condos / mixed-use permits in Unincorporated Marin (n=21). High-impact scale (79 housing units, 16 deed-restricted affordable across 16 permits).
- Remodel / interior alteration (91269) (Applied)On this parcel
Pending in review for 3.4 yr (14.8× the 83d median) — slower than 90% of remodel / interior alteration permits in Unincorporated Marin (median 83d, 90th pct 266d, n=1,054).
- New home (Entitled)470 ft W
In "Entitled" for 8.2 yr (since Sep 12, 2018), exceeding the 253d median and 686d 90th percentile for new single-family home permits in Unincorporated Marin (n=121).
- Demolition at 202 Auburn St (Applied)0.22 mi N
In "Applied" for 4.2 yr (since Sep 14, 2022), exceeding the 55d median and 261d 90th percentile for demolition permits in Unincorporated Marin (n=130).
Entity-resolved builders & contractors in ½ mile: American Window (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Windows / doors / siding); Tesla Energy (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Solar / battery storage); Rikety Ventures (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Solar / battery storage); Integrity Electric (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · EV charger); Owner Builder (14 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration).
Permit & Project History on This Parcel (5 permits, 0 grouped projects)
| Record # | Category | Status | Applied / Issued | Valuation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 91269 | Remodel / interior alteration | Applied | App. Jun 30, 2023 | $200,000 | Remodel (E) Decks, (N) Covered Outdoor Kitchen |
| 164049 | Solar / battery storage | Issued | Iss. Jan 27, 2020 | $14,000 | 60.1 Battery Storage Express |
| 162258 | Solar / battery storage | Issued | Iss. Aug 7, 2019 | $10,000 | Solar Phototaic Panels 7.3 Kw - Express |
| B17827 | EV charger | Issued | Iss. May 22, 2019 | $9,000 | 200 amp panel upgrade and ev charger install — Service Upgrade, EV Charging Station |
| 144480 | Windows / doors / siding | Issued | Iss. Oct 13, 2014 |