59 Montford Ave
Mill Valley 94941 · Homestead · Unincorporated Marin · Coordinates: 37.89641, -122.53943
Executive Verdict · Public-Records Synthesis
Zoned R1 in Unincorporated Marin with likely ADU & SB 9 infill eligibility and mapped CAL FIRE moderate fire hazard severity zone (state responsibility area) due diligence; benchmark value $2,217,000 ($1,951,000–$2,483,000).
Upsides & Opportunities
- ✓ ADU & SB 9 infill pathways screen as likely eligible
Zoned R1 supports ministerial ADU/JADU review plus SB 9 both two-unit development and ministerial urban lot split on a 9,278 sq ft lot. Local precedent is active with 5 ADU permits within ¼ mile over the last 36 months.
Source: Unincorporated Marin zoning · CA Gov. Code 66314 & 65852.21
- ✓ Documented permitted upgrades (+$15,593 contributory est.)
Public building records show issued construction/renovation work on this parcel (8 total permits, latest Feb 7, 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
- ! 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 (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
New garage / accessory structure (158067): Issued after 13 mo (2.3× the 164d median) — above the 75th percentile for new garage / accessory structure permits in Unincorporated Marin (median 164d, 75th pct 294d, n=356).
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 (520 ft W, 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:
- 9,278 sq ft (0.21 ac)
- Assessor use:
- Single-Resid. - Improved
- Addresses on lot:
- 59 MONTFORD AVE; 59 MONTFORD AVE A
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 lotLikely eligible
Zoned R1, a single-family residential zone.
- SB 9: split into two lotsLikely eligible
Zoned R1, a single-family residential zone. The lot is 9,278 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 (State Responsibility Area) (all of the lot, map Apr 1, 2024)
- FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer
- Zone X: minimal flood hazard (all 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: $1,951,000 – $2,483,000 · 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)520 ft W
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)0.21 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)0.24 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).
- New garage / accessory structure (158067) (Issued)On this parcel
Issued after 13 mo (2.3× the 164d median) — above the 75th percentile for new garage / accessory structure permits in Unincorporated Marin (median 164d, 75th pct 294d, n=356).
Entity-resolved builders & contractors in ½ mile: Owner Builder (1 on parcel, 57 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); Ste Electric (2 on parcel, 2 in ½ mi · Electrical / panel); Solar Technologies (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Solar / battery storage); California Roof Savers Of Marin (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Roof replacement); Kelly Plumbing And Heating (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · HVAC / heat pump).
Permit & Project History on This Parcel (8 permits, 0 grouped projects)
| Record # | Category | Status | Applied / Issued | Valuation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B28646 | Solar / battery storage | Issued | Iss. Feb 7, 2022 | $15,200 | AC COUPLED BATTERY |
| 167789 | Solar / battery storage | Issued | Iss. Apr 14, 2021 | $24,646 | 4.91 Kw Rooftop Photovoltaic System |
| B25048 | Electrical / panel | Issued | Iss. Mar 4, 2021 | $1,200 | 125A to 200A MPU — Service Upgrade |
| 158067 | New garage / accessory structure | Issued | Iss. Mar 29, 2018 | $97,000 | Create New Basement For Fam Rm & Storage - Structural, With Foundation & Shear Upgr T.D. 6/20/17 |
| 145643 | Roof replacement | Issued | Iss. Jan 29, 2015 | $11,695 |