215 Laverne Ave
Mill Valley 94941 · Homestead · Unincorporated Marin · Coordinates: 37.89423, -122.54252
Executive Verdict · Public-Records Synthesis
Zoned R1 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 $2,504,000 ($2,204,000–$2,804,000).
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 17,119 sq ft lot. Local precedent is active with 6 ADU permits within ¼ mile over the last 36 months.
Source: Unincorporated Marin zoning · CA Gov. Code 66314 & 65852.21
- ✓ Documented permitted upgrades (+$198,550 contributory est.)
Public building records show issued construction/renovation work on this parcel (6 total permits, latest May 11, 2023).
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) (about 98% 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
Addition (adds square footage) (89222): Pending in review for 5 yr (11.3× the 160d median) — slower than 90% of addition (adds square footage) permits in Unincorporated Marin (median 160d, 90th pct 440d, n=316).
Source: County of Marin Community Development Agency, Building Permits (unincorporated Marin) (review-time benchmark)
- ! 4 slow or stalled nearby projects within ½ mile
Closest lead: New home (0.45 mi N, entitled). 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:
- 17,119 sq ft (0.39 ac)
- Assessor use:
- Single-Resid. - Improved
- Addresses on lot:
- 215 LAVERNE 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 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 17,119 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) (about 98% of the lot, map Apr 1, 2024); Moderate Fire Hazard Severity Zone (State Responsibility Area) (about 2% 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: $2,204,000 – $2,804,000 · 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 (Entitled)0.45 mi N
In "Entitled" for 6.4 yr (since Jun 23, 2020), 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, 1 deed-restricted affordable across 0 permits).
- Addition (adds square footage) (89222) (Applied)On this parcel
Pending in review for 5 yr (11.3× the 160d median) — slower than 90% of addition (adds square footage) permits in Unincorporated Marin (median 160d, 90th pct 440d, n=316).
- Addition (adds square footage) (88936) (Applied)On this parcel
Pending in review for 5.2 yr (11.8× the 160d median) — slower than 90% of addition (adds square footage) permits in Unincorporated Marin (median 160d, 90th pct 440d, n=316).
- New home at 204 Reed St (Issued)0.1 mi SE
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).
Entity-resolved builders & contractors in ½ mile: Manning Construction (1 on parcel, 3 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); Floyd Construction (1 on parcel, 2 in ½ mi · New garage / accessory structure); Armada Interiors (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); California Custom Electrical Contractors (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Electrical / panel); Owner Builder (73 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration).
Permit & Project History on This Parcel (6 permits, 0 grouped projects)
| Record # | Category | Status | Applied / Issued | Valuation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B33827 | Electrical / panel | Issued | Iss. May 11, 2023 | $2,500 | Upgrading Electrical Panel from 100AMPS to 200AMPS — Service Upgrade |
| 173993 | Remodel / interior alteration | Issued | Iss. May 8, 2023 | $500,000 | Entry And Small Addition; Bath & Laundry Remodel; Covered Porch; Stairs; Trellis @ Garage; Siding; Repl/Add Windows/Door… |
| 89222 | Addition (adds square footage) | Applied | App. Nov 23, 2021 | $850,500 | Addition, Bath Remodel S M F D M V S D |
| 88936 | Addition (adds square footage) | Applied | App. Sep 16, 2021 | $850,500 | Addition, Bath Remodel, Deck |
| 165272 | Remodel / interior alteration | Issued |