189 Madrone Ave
Larkspur 94939 · Larkspur · Coordinates: 37.93132, -122.54277
Executive Verdict · Public-Records Synthesis
Zoned R-1 in Larkspur with likely ministerial ADU eligibility and mapped FEMA A flood / CAL FIRE moderate fire hazard severity zone (local responsibility area) due diligence; benchmark value $2,337,000 ($1,986,000–$2,688,000).
Upsides & Opportunities
- ✓ Ministerial ADU / JADU pathway likely eligible
Zone R-1 allows residential use qualifying for ministerial ADU review under state law.
Source: Larkspur zoning · CA Gov. Code 66314
Watchouts & Due Diligence
- ! FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area (A, about 27% of the lot of lot)
Zone A: 1% annual chance flood (Special Flood Hazard Area) overlaps this parcel. Expect mandatory flood insurance for federally backed loans and floodplain elevation/mitigation rules for new units or SB 9 applications.
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: New home (0.2 mi SE, 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)
- ! Bulk building permits not published for Larkspur
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 (Larkspur)
Parcel & Assessor
- Lot size:
- 12,240 sq ft (0.28 ac)
- Assessor use:
- Single-Resid. - Improved
- Addresses on lot:
- 189 MADRONE AVE; 189 MADRONE AVE UNIT A
Zoning & Land Use
R-1 (Larkspur)
State Housing Pathways Screen (ADU & SB 9)
- ADU or junior ADULikely eligible
Zoned R-1 (single-family residential): state law allows ADUs where homes are allowed. We read R-1 from the zoning code's name; we haven't checked it against Larkspur's code text.
- SB 9: two homes on the lotPossible, with conditions
Zoned R-1, a single-family residential zone. We read R-1 from the zoning code's name; we haven't checked it against Larkspur's code text. FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area (Zone A) covers about 27% of the lot: the project must meet the National Flood Insurance Program floodplain standards, or the lot needs a map revision.
- SB 9: split into two lotsPossible, with conditions
Zoned R-1, a single-family residential zone. We read R-1 from the zoning code's name; we haven't checked it against Larkspur's code text. The lot is 12,240 sq ft by the assessor, room for two lots of at least 1,200 sq ft, each at least 40% of the original. FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area (Zone A) covers about 27% of the lot: the project must meet the National Flood Insurance Program floodplain standards, or the lot needs a map revision.
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 A: 1% annual chance flood (Special Flood Hazard Area) (about 27% of the lot); Zone X: 0.2% annual chance flood hazard (shaded X) (about 73% of the lot) · FIRM panel 06041C0466F, 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: $1,986,000 – $2,688,000 · Status: Off market
HUD Small Area FMR (ZIP 94939) · FY 2026
Studio $2,820 · 1BR $3,380 · 2BR $4,090 · 3BR $5,220 · 4BR $5,420
Nearby Activity (½ mile radius, since —)
11 active or recent development projects (11 housing units across completed, permitted, and pipeline stages) and 0 total building permits recorded within ½ mile.
Developments Deserving Closer Investigation & Active Area Builders
- New home (Issued)0.2 mi SE
Active in "Issued" for 8.5 yr (first record May 15, 2018) with no new permit activity recorded in 8.5 yr.
- 88 A Hazel Avenue (Issued)0.24 mi NE
Active in "Issued" for 3.1 yr (first record Sep 27, 2023) with no new permit activity recorded in 3.1 yr.
- New home (Entitled)0.25 mi E
Active in "Entitled" for 5.5 yr (first record Apr 27, 2021) with no new permit activity recorded in 5.5 yr.
- New home (Issued)0.25 mi E
Active in "Issued" for 7.7 yr (first record Mar 4, 2019) with no new permit activity recorded in 7.7 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 2024).