351 Melrose Ave
Mill Valley 94941 · Homestead · Unincorporated Marin · Coordinates: 37.89297, -122.54595
Executive Verdict · Public-Records Synthesis
Zoned R1-B1 in Unincorporated Marin with likely ADU & SB 9 infill eligibility and mapped CAL FIRE high fire hazard severity zone (state responsibility area) due diligence; benchmark value $2,288,000 ($2,013,000–$2,563,000).
Upsides & Opportunities
- ✓ ADU & SB 9 infill pathways screen as likely eligible
Zoned R1-B1 supports ministerial ADU/JADU review plus SB 9 both two-unit development and ministerial urban lot split on a 11,674 sq ft lot. Local precedent is active with 2 ADU permits within ¼ mile over the last 36 months.
Source: Unincorporated Marin zoning · CA Gov. Code 66314 & 65852.21
- ✓ Documented permitted upgrades (+$47,960 contributory est.)
Public building records show issued construction/renovation work on this parcel (8 total permits, latest Sep 18, 2025).
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 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 322 Laverne Ave (0.22 mi 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)
- ! Year 1 Prop 13 tax reset (~$26,762/yr at $2,288,000)
Sale triggers reassessment to 1.00% base + ~0.15% voter debt (~$2,230/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:
- 11,674 sq ft (0.27 ac)
- Assessor use:
- Single-Resid. - Improved
- Addresses on lot:
- 351 MELROSE 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 lotLikely eligible
Zoned R1-B1, a single-family residential zone.
- SB 9: split into two lotsLikely eligible
Zoned R1-B1, a single-family residential zone. The lot is 11,674 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
- High 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: $2,013,000 – $2,563,000 · 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 322 Laverne Ave (Issued)0.22 mi N
Active in "Issued" for 10 yr (first record Nov 10, 2016) with no new permit activity recorded in 9.4 yr. High-impact scale (1 housing unit, $800,000 declared valuation across 1 permit).
- New home at 230 Laverne Ave (Issued)0.25 mi NE
Active in "Issued" for 11.7 yr (first record Mar 9, 2015) with no new permit activity recorded in 11.4 yr. High-impact scale (1 housing unit, $780,000 declared valuation across 1 permit).
- New home at 346 Laverne Ave (Issued)0.26 mi N
Active in "Issued" for 10.7 yr (first record Mar 7, 2016) with no new permit activity recorded in 10.2 yr. High-impact scale (1 housing unit, $900,000 declared valuation across 2 permits).
- New home at 210 Brabo Ter (Issued)0.27 mi E
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).
Entity-resolved builders & contractors in ½ mile: Owner Builder (1 on parcel, 64 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); Owner (4 on parcel, 32 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); Ernest Ongaro And Sons (2 on parcel, 2 in ½ mi · HVAC / heat pump); Hug Plumbing Heating And Cooling (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · HVAC / heat pump); Foley Built (5 in ½ mi · Addition (adds square footage)).
Permit & Project History on This Parcel (8 permits, 0 grouped projects)
| Record # | Category | Status | Applied / Issued | Valuation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 180118 | Addition (adds square footage) | Issued | Iss. Sep 18, 2025 | $55,000 | Entry Addition; Kitchen Remodel; Reroof; Retaining Wall |
| 169803 | Remodel / interior alteration | Issued | Iss. Nov 2, 2021 | $19,000 | New Conditioned Space In Basement |
| B27253 | HVAC / heat pump | Issued | Iss. Oct 1, 2021 | $5,500 | CHANGE OUT OF GAS FURNACE IN BASEMENT 95% AFUE — Replace Mechanical Appliance |
| B26699 | HVAC / heat pump | Issued | Iss. Aug 19, 2021 | $2,950 | Replace failed ductwork with new ductwork — Replace Ductwork |
| 150600 | Plumbing / water heater / sewer | Issued | Iss. Feb 2, 2016 |