595 Ethel Ave
Mill Valley 94941 · Homestead · Unincorporated Marin · Coordinates: 37.89548, -122.53669
Executive Verdict · Public-Records Synthesis
Zoned R1-B1 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 $2,141,000 ($1,884,000–$2,398,000).
Upsides & Opportunities
- ✓ Ministerial ADU / JADU pathway likely eligible
Zone R1-B1 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 (+$13,680 contributory est.)
Public building records show issued construction/renovation work on this parcel (2 total permits, latest Aug 6, 2020).
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. 16.3 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 55% of the lot of lot)
Zone AE: regulatory floodway (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)
- ! 6 slow or stalled nearby projects within ½ mile
Closest lead: New home at 107 Montford Ave (0.26 mi 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)
- ! Year 1 Prop 13 tax reset (~$25,072/yr at $2,141,000)
Sale triggers reassessment to 1.00% base + ~0.15% voter debt (~$2,089/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:
- 6,011 sq ft (0.14 ac)
- Assessor use:
- Single-Resid. - Improved
- Addresses on lot:
- 595 ETHEL AVE
Zoning & Land Use
R1-B1 — Residential Single Family (Unincorporated Marin)
State Housing Pathways Screen (ADU & SB 9)
- ADU or junior ADULikely eligible
Zoned R1-B1 (single-family residential): state law allows ADUs where homes are allowed.
- SB 9: two homes on the lotPossible, with conditions
Zoned R1-B1, a single-family residential zone. FEMA regulatory floodway covers about 55% of the lot: SB 9 requires a no-rise certification.
- SB 9: split into two lotsPossible, with conditions
Zoned R1-B1, a single-family residential zone. The lot is 6,011 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 55% 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: regulatory floodway (Special Flood Hazard Area) (about 55% of the lot); Zone AE: 1% annual chance flood (Special Flood Hazard Area) (about 45% 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: $1,884,000 – $2,398,000 · 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)0.26 mi 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)0.27 mi SW
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)0.28 mi SW
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).
- Demolition at 397 Miller Ave (Applied)0.14 mi N
In "Applied" for 4.7 yr (since Feb 15, 2022), exceeding the 55d median and 261d 90th percentile for demolition permits in Unincorporated Marin (n=130).
Entity-resolved builders & contractors in ½ mile: Sun First (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Solar / battery storage); Roofs By Reveille (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Roof replacement); Owner Builder (52 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); Owner (24 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); Tamalpais Construction (6 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration).
Permit & Project History on This Parcel (2 permits, 0 grouped projects)
| Record # | Category | Status | Applied / Issued | Valuation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 165379 | Solar / battery storage | Issued | Iss. Aug 6, 2020 | $43,876 | 4.690 Kw Photovoldtaic & Energy Storage System |
| B23059 | Roof replacement | Issued | Iss. Jul 21, 2020 | $12,000 | Remove existing roof, underlayment. Install New GAF Tiger Paw underlayment.Install New GAF Timber Ultra HD Shingles. Ins… |