303 Melrose Ave
Mill Valley 94941 · Homestead · Unincorporated Marin · Coordinates: 37.89459, -122.54331
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 $2,224,000 ($1,957,000–$2,491,000).
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 9,845 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 (+$13,133 contributory est.)
Public building records show issued construction/renovation work on this parcel (9 total permits, latest Oct 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 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)
- ! Delayed or open permit activity on this parcel
Plumbing / water heater / sewer (166273): Issued after 2 mo — slower than 90% of plumbing / water heater / sewer permits in Unincorporated Marin (median 0d, 90th pct 0d, n=2,211).
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 204 Reed St (0.15 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)
Parcel & Assessor
- Lot size:
- 9,845 sq ft (0.23 ac)
- Assessor use:
- Single-Resid. - Improved
- Addresses on lot:
- 303 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 9,845 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: $1,957,000 – $2,491,000 · 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
- Plumbing / water heater / sewer (166273) (Issued)On this parcel
Issued after 2 mo — slower than 90% of plumbing / water heater / sewer permits in Unincorporated Marin (median 0d, 90th pct 0d, n=2,211).
- New home at 204 Reed St (Issued)0.15 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 210 Brabo Ter (Issued)0.17 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).
- 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).
Entity-resolved builders & contractors in ½ mile: Sears Home Improvement (1 on parcel, 2 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); Details Of Sonoma (2 on parcel, 2 in ½ mi · General repair); Jemico (2 on parcel, 2 in ½ mi · Windows / doors / siding); Divine Electric (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Plumbing / water heater / sewer); G Electric (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · EV charger).
Permit & Project History on This Parcel (9 permits, 0 grouped projects)
| Record # | Category | Status | Applied / Issued | Valuation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B31326 | Windows / doors / siding | Issued | Iss. Oct 7, 2022 | $13,475 | Replacing 1 entry door; same size and location. — Non-structural Door/Window Replacement |
| B29556 | Windows / doors / siding | Issued | Iss. May 6, 2022 | $4,282 | Replacing 1 window, retrofit, tempered. — Non-structural Door/Window Replacement |
| 166273 | Plumbing / water heater / sewer | Issued | Iss. Nov 17, 2020 | $16,000 | Generator, Transfer Switch, Dedicated Gas Line |
| B14451 | EV charger | Issued | Iss. Mar 6, 2018 | $10,000 | Existing 100 amp panel will be moved to a new location at upgraded to 200 amp to allow for the installation of 2 Tesla W… |
| 154688 | Other | Issued |