307 Melrose Ave
Mill Valley 94941 · Homestead · Unincorporated Marin · Coordinates: 37.89479, -122.54361
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 $2,227,000 ($1,960,000–$2,494,000).
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 9,975 sq ft lot. Local precedent is active with 7 ADU permits within ¼ mile over the last 36 months.
Source: Unincorporated Marin zoning · CA Gov. Code 66314 & 65852.21
- ✓ Documented permitted upgrades (+$13,132 contributory est.)
Public building records show issued construction/renovation work on this parcel (7 total permits, latest Dec 8, 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 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)
- ! 6 slow or stalled nearby projects within ½ mile
Closest lead: New home at 204 Reed St (0.17 mi SE, 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 (~$26,061/yr at $2,227,000)
Sale triggers reassessment to 1.00% base + ~0.15% voter debt (~$2,172/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:
- 9,975 sq ft (0.23 ac)
- Assessor use:
- Single-Resid. - Improved
- Addresses on lot:
- 307 MELROSE 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 9,975 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: $1,960,000 – $2,494,000 · 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 204 Reed St (Issued)0.17 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).
- New home at 107 Montford Ave (Issued)0.18 mi NE
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 210 Brabo Ter (Issued)0.19 mi SE
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)0.35 mi NW
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: Owner (1 on parcel, 32 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); Swell Services (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Solar / battery storage); Armstrong Installation Service A California Corpor (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Roof replacement); Simply Solar (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Roof replacement); John Owens Services (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Plumbing / water heater / sewer).
Permit & Project History on This Parcel (7 permits, 0 grouped projects)
| Record # | Category | Status | Applied / Issued | Valuation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B31996 | Plumbing / water heater / sewer | Issued | Iss. Dec 8, 2022 | $7,400 | Install new tankless water heater with dedicated gas line. — Replace Plumbing Fixtures(s) |
| B27682 | Electrical / panel | Issued | Iss. Nov 10, 2021 | $6,500 | Swap Subpanel for SPAN Panel — Service Upgrade |
| 168409 | Solar / battery storage | Issued | Iss. Jun 8, 2021 | $17,045 | Energy Storage System - Express |
| B25363 | Roof replacement | Issued | Iss. Apr 5, 2021 | $11,500 | Sweep off existing roof material. Replace with foam overlay. 7 squares. — ReRoofing |
| B15279 | Roof replacement | Issued | Iss. Jun 22, 2018 |