55 S Knoll Rd
Mill Valley 94941 · Strawberry · Unincorporated Marin · Coordinates: 37.90086, -122.51144
Executive Verdict · Public-Records Synthesis
Zoned RA-B2 in Unincorporated Marin with likely ministerial ADU eligibility and zero mapped flood, fire, or fault hazard overlaps; benchmark value $2,375,000 ($2,090,000–$2,660,000).
Upsides & Opportunities
- ✓ Ministerial ADU / JADU pathway likely eligible
Zone RA-B2 allows residential use qualifying for ministerial ADU review under state law (8 ADU permits permitted within ¼ mile in 36 months).
Source: Unincorporated Marin zoning · CA Gov. Code 66314
- ✓ Documented permitted upgrades (+$17,280 contributory est.)
Public building records show issued construction/renovation work on this parcel (6 total permits, latest Aug 7, 2024).
Source: County of Marin Community Development Agency, Building Permits (unincorporated Marin) (parcel APN)
- ✓ Above-average reinvestment in Strawberry
43 substantial renovation & housing permits over 24 months (28.4 per 1,000 parcels vs. 16.4 citywide baseline) (#1 of 22 neighborhoods).
Source: County of Marin Community Development Agency, Building Permits (unincorporated Marin) (Strawberry)
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)
- ! Delayed or open permit activity on this parcel
New home at 55 S Knoll Rd: Active in "Issued" for 11.9 yr (first record Dec 22, 2014) with no new permit activity recorded in 11.4 yr. High-impact scale (1 housing unit, $750,000 declared valuation across 1 permit).
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: New home at 55 Thomas Dr (0.34 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)
- ! Year 1 Prop 13 tax reset (~$27,763/yr at $2,375,000)
Sale triggers reassessment to 1.00% base + ~0.15% voter debt (~$2,314/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:
- 23,305 sq ft (0.54 ac)
- Assessor use:
- Single-Resid. - Improved
- Addresses on lot:
- 55 S KNOLL RD
Zoning & Land Use
RA-B2 — Residential Agriculture (Unincorporated Marin)
State Housing Pathways Screen (ADU & SB 9)
- ADU or junior ADULikely eligible
Zoned RA-B2 (single-family residential): state law allows ADUs where homes are allowed.
- SB 9: two homes on the lotCan't tell
Zoned RA-B2 (single-family residential): we can't tell whether it counts as a single-family zone for SB 9. Residential agriculture, estate and restricted: large-lot residential; confirm SB 9 with the county.
- SB 9: split into two lotsCan't tell
Zoned RA-B2 (single-family residential): we can't tell whether it counts as a single-family zone for SB 9. Residential agriculture, estate and restricted: large-lot residential; confirm SB 9 with the county.
Mapped Hazard Zones on This Lot
- CAL FIRE Fire Hazard Severity Zone
- Not in a State-mapped fire hazard severity zone
- FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer
- Zone X: minimal flood hazard (all of the lot) · FIRM panel 06041C0469F, 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: $2,090,000 – $2,660,000 · Status: Off market
HUD Small Area FMR (ZIP 94941) · FY 2026
Studio $2,730 · 1BR $3,270 · 2BR $3,960 · 3BR $5,060 · 4BR $5,240
Developments Deserving Closer Investigation & Active Area Builders
- New home at 55 S Knoll Rd (Issued)On this parcel
Active in "Issued" for 11.9 yr (first record Dec 22, 2014) with no new permit activity recorded in 11.4 yr. High-impact scale (1 housing unit, $750,000 declared valuation across 1 permit).
- New home at 55 Thomas Dr (Applied)0.34 mi N
In "Applied" for 6.2 yr (since Sep 1, 2020), exceeding the 253d median and 686d 90th percentile for new single-family home permits in Unincorporated Marin (n=121). High-impact scale (1 housing unit, $1,000,000 declared valuation across 1 permit).
- New home at 153 Richardson Dr (adu 153a) (Issued)0.33 mi SE
Active in "Issued" for 3.4 yr (first record Jun 5, 2023) with no new permit activity recorded in 16 mo. High-impact scale (1 housing unit, $1,493,000 declared valuation across 1 permit).
- New commercial building at 118 E Strawberry Dr (Applied)0.36 mi SE
Active in "Applied" for 8.1 yr (first record Oct 3, 2018) with no new permit activity recorded in 8.1 yr. High-impact scale ($1,600,000 declared valuation across 1 permit).
Entity-resolved builders & contractors in ½ mile: Owner Builder (1 on parcel, 68 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); Drosihn Construction (1 on parcel, 4 in ½ mi · New single-family home); Tesla Energy (3 on parcel, 3 in ½ mi · Solar / battery storage); Ernest Ongaro And Sons (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Plumbing / water heater / sewer); Owner (37 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration).
Permit & Project History on This Parcel (6 permits, 1 grouped projects)
| Record # | Category | Status | Applied / Issued | Valuation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B39036 | Plumbing / water heater / sewer | Issued | Iss. Aug 7, 2024 | $3,000 | Run a dedicated 1in galvy gas line from riser at home under crawl to opposite side of home and then transition to 3/4 po… |
| 165126 | Solar / battery storage | Issued | Iss. Jul 15, 2020 | $14,000 | Energy Storage System |
| 160844 | Solar / battery storage | Issued | Iss. Feb 26, 2019 | $14,000 | Battery Backup |
| 158634 | Solar / battery storage | Issued | Iss. May 31, 2018 | $13,950 | Pv 9.425 Kw |