51 Ridge Ave
Mill Valley 94941 · Muir Woods Park · Unincorporated Marin · Coordinates: 37.89778, -122.56593
Executive Verdict · Public-Records Synthesis
Zoned R1-B3 in Unincorporated Marin and mapped CAL FIRE very high fire hazard severity zone (state responsibility area) due diligence; benchmark value $2,271,000 ($1,998,000–$2,544,000).
Upsides & Opportunities
- ✓ 3 documented municipal building permits on file
On-parcel permit history is indexed through Feb 16, 2026, letting you verify roof, HVAC, electrical, or structural work against seller disclosures.
Source: County of Marin Community Development Agency, Building Permits (unincorporated Marin) (parcel APN)
Watchouts & Due Diligence
- ! Mapped flood awareness zone (Zone D: possible but undetermined flood hazard)
all of the lot of the parcel intersects Zone D: possible but undetermined 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 Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (State 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 Apr 1, 2024)
- ! 6 slow or stalled nearby projects within ½ mile
Closest lead: New home at 65 Ridge Ave (460 ft E, 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 (~$26,567/yr at $2,271,000)
Sale triggers reassessment to 1.00% base + ~0.15% voter debt (~$2,214/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:
- 22,913 sq ft (0.53 ac)
- Assessor use:
- Single-Resid. - Improved
- Addresses on lot:
- 51 RIDGE AVE
Zoning & Land Use
R1-B3 — Residential Single Family (Unincorporated Marin)
State Housing Pathways Screen (ADU & SB 9)
- ADU or junior ADUPossible, with conditions
Zoned R1-B3 (single-family residential): state law allows ADUs where homes are allowed. Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone covers all of the lot: cities may limit ADUs here for fire safety and evacuation.
- SB 9: two homes on the lotPossible, with conditions
Zoned R1-B3, a single-family residential zone. Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (State responsibility area) covers all of the lot: SB 9 requires the project to meet the fire hazard mitigation standards.
- SB 9: split into two lotsPossible, with conditions
Zoned R1-B3, a single-family residential zone. The lot is 22,913 sq ft by the assessor, room for two lots of at least 1,200 sq ft, each at least 40% of the original. Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (State responsibility area) covers all of the lot: SB 9 requires the project to meet the fire hazard mitigation standards.
Mapped Hazard Zones on This Lot
- CAL FIRE Fire Hazard Severity Zone
- Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (State Responsibility Area) (all of the lot, map Apr 1, 2024)
- FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer
- Zone D: possible but undetermined flood hazard (all of the lot) · FIRM panel 06041C0465E, effective August 15, 2017
- CGS Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zone
- Not in an Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zone
Surrounding Rent & Value Benchmarks (Public Records)
Range: $1,998,000 – $2,544,000 · 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 65 Ridge Ave (Applied)460 ft E
In "Applied" for 4 yr (since Oct 27, 2022), 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, $3,000,000 declared valuation across 1 permit).
- New home at 526 Panoramic Hwy (Issued)0.3 mi NW
Active in "Issued" for 4.6 yr (first record Apr 21, 2022) with no new permit activity recorded in 2 yr. High-impact scale (1 housing unit, $1,329,450 declared valuation across 2 permits).
- New home at 49 Ridge Ave (Applied)140 ft NW
In "Applied" for 5.1 yr (since Oct 15, 2021), exceeding the 253d median and 686d 90th percentile for new single-family home permits in Unincorporated Marin (n=121).
- New home (Entitled)0.36 mi S
In "Entitled" for 5.4 yr (since Jun 25, 2021), 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: Owner (1 on parcel, 11 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); Roof Solutions (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Roof replacement); Owner Builder (27 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); Vida Building (2 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); Soruco Structures (2 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration).
Permit & Project History on This Parcel (3 permits, 0 grouped projects)
| Record # | Category | Status | Applied / Issued | Valuation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B45879 | Roof replacement | Issued | Iss. Feb 16, 2026 | $10,950 | ReRoofing |
| 147593 | Solar / battery storage | Issued | Iss. Jun 17, 2015 | $10,000 | Rf Mtd P V Sys 4.42 K W - Express |
| 141174 | Electrical / panel | Issued | Iss. Jan 13, 2014 | $4,000 | Relocate Electrical Meter |