97 Montford Ave
Mill Valley 94941 · Homestead · Unincorporated Marin · Coordinates: 37.89634, -122.54123
Executive Verdict · Public-Records Synthesis
Zoned R1 in Unincorporated Marin with likely ministerial ADU eligibility and mapped FEMA AE flood / CAL FIRE moderate fire hazard severity zone (state responsibility area) due diligence; benchmark value $2,473,000 ($2,176,000–$2,770,000).
Upsides & Opportunities
- ✓ Ministerial ADU / JADU pathway likely eligible
Zone R1 allows residential use qualifying for ministerial ADU review under state law (4 ADU permits permitted within ¼ mile in 36 months).
Source: Unincorporated Marin zoning · CA Gov. Code 66314
- ✓ Documented permitted upgrades (+$149,100 contributory est.)
Public building records show issued construction/renovation work on this parcel (4 total permits, latest May 24, 2022).
Source: County of Marin Community Development Agency, Building Permits (unincorporated Marin) (parcel APN)
- ✓ Above-average reinvestment in Homestead
22 substantial renovation & housing permits over 24 months (20.7 per 1,000 parcels vs. 16.4 citywide baseline) (#2 of 22 neighborhoods).
Source: County of Marin Community Development Agency, Building Permits (unincorporated Marin) (Homestead)
Watchouts & Due Diligence
- ! FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area (AE, about 12% of the lot of lot)
Zone AE: 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 (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)
- ! Delayed or open permit activity on this parcel
Remodel / interior alteration (171500): Issued after 7 mo (2.7× the 83d median) — above the 75th percentile for remodel / interior alteration permits in Unincorporated Marin (median 83d, 75th pct 148d, 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: New home at 107 Montford Ave (130 ft N, 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)
Parcel & Assessor
- Lot size:
- 19,123 sq ft (0.44 ac)
- Assessor use:
- Single-Resid. - Improved
- Addresses on lot:
- 97 MONTFORD AVE; 99 MONTFORD AVE
Zoning & Land Use
R1 — Residential Single Family (Unincorporated Marin)
State Housing Pathways Screen (ADU & SB 9)
- ADU or junior ADULikely eligible
Zoned R1 (single-family residential): state law allows ADUs where homes are allowed.
- SB 9: two homes on the lotPossible, with conditions
Zoned R1, a single-family residential zone. FEMA regulatory floodway covers about 8% of the lot: SB 9 requires a no-rise certification.
- SB 9: split into two lotsPossible, with conditions
Zoned R1, a single-family residential zone. The lot is 19,123 sq ft by the assessor, room for two lots of at least 1,200 sq ft, each at least 40% of the original. FEMA regulatory floodway covers about 8% of the lot: SB 9 requires a no-rise certification.
Mapped Hazard Zones on This Lot
- CAL FIRE Fire Hazard Severity Zone
- Moderate Fire Hazard Severity Zone (State Responsibility Area) (all of the lot, map Apr 1, 2024)
- FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer
- Zone AE: 1% annual chance flood (Special Flood Hazard Area) (about 12% of the lot); Zone AE: regulatory floodway (Special Flood Hazard Area) (about 8% of the lot); Zone X: minimal flood hazard (about 80% of the lot) · FIRM panel 06041C0468F, 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: $2,176,000 – $2,770,000 · 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 107 Montford Ave (Issued)130 ft N
Active in "Issued" for 3.9 yr (first record Dec 15, 2022) with no new permit activity recorded in 2.5 yr. High-impact scale (1 housing unit, $1,375,000 declared valuation across 1 permit).
- New home at 204 Reed St (Issued)0.19 mi S
Active in "Issued" for 4.3 yr (first record Aug 5, 2022) with no new permit activity recorded in 3.5 yr. High-impact scale (1 housing unit, $950,000 declared valuation across 1 permit).
- New home at 210 Brabo Ter (Issued)0.22 mi S
Active in "Issued" for 3.1 yr (first record Oct 12, 2023) with no new permit activity recorded in 2.6 yr. High-impact scale (1 housing unit, $850,000 declared valuation across 1 permit).
- Accessory dwelling unit at 408 Laverne Ave (adu 408a) (Issued)0.43 mi W
Active in "Issued" for 2.3 yr (first record Jul 12, 2024) with no new permit activity recorded in 14 mo. High-impact scale (1 housing unit, $2,700,000 declared valuation across 1 permit).
Entity-resolved builders & contractors in ½ mile: Ignacio Camarillo Reyes (2 on parcel, 5 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); Divine Electric (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · HVAC / heat pump); West Valley Construction (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Plumbing / water heater / sewer); Owner Builder (60 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); Owner (23 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration).
Permit & Project History on This Parcel (4 permits, 0 grouped projects)
| Record # | Category | Status | Applied / Issued | Valuation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 171501 | Remodel / interior alteration | Issued | Iss. May 24, 2022 | $50,000 | Remodel Guest House Bath; Elect In Other Areas S M F D |
| 171500 | Remodel / interior alteration | Issued | Iss. May 24, 2022 | $550,000 | Major Remodel, Including Kitchen & 4 Baths S M F D |
| B22052 | HVAC / heat pump | Issued | Iss. Feb 11, 2020 | $2,800 | Install manual 10 circuit transfer switch (at interior of garage) for emergency portable generator. Supports: Refrigerat… |
| 148167 | Plumbing / water heater / sewer | Issued | Iss. Jul 28, 2015 | $2,500 | Reloc Gas Line Approx 50' To New Meter Loc |