96 Laverne Ave
Mill Valley 94941 · Homestead · Unincorporated Marin · Coordinates: 37.89392, -122.53773
Executive Verdict · Public-Records Synthesis
Zoned R1 in Unincorporated Marin with likely ADU & SB 9 infill eligibility and mapped CAL FIRE moderate fire hazard severity zone (state responsibility area) due diligence; benchmark value $2,097,000 ($1,845,000–$2,349,000).
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 4,574 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 (+$15,912 contributory est.)
Public building records show issued construction/renovation work on this parcel (5 total permits, latest Oct 27, 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 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 204 Reed St (0.18 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 (~$24,566/yr at $2,097,000)
Sale triggers reassessment to 1.00% base + ~0.15% voter debt (~$2,047/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:
- 4,574 sq ft (0.11 ac)
- Assessor use:
- Single-Resid. - Improved
- Addresses on lot:
- 96 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 4,574 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
- Moderate 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: $1,845,000 – $2,349,000 · 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)0.18 mi W
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)0.18 mi W
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).
- 9 new homes (Issued)0.24 mi E
Active in "Issued" for 5.4 yr (first record Jun 9, 2021) with no new permit activity recorded in 5.4 yr. High-impact scale (9 housing units across 0 permits).
- New home at 107 Montford Ave (Issued)0.27 mi NW
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: Towey Construction (2 on parcel, 3 in ½ mi · Other); Alpine Electric (2 on parcel, 2 in ½ mi · Solar / battery storage); John Towey Construction (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); Owner Builder (68 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); Owner (34 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration).
Permit & Project History on This Parcel (5 permits, 0 grouped projects)
| Record # | Category | Status | Applied / Issued | Valuation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 180356 | Other | Issued | Iss. Oct 27, 2025 | $31,000 | Repair And Remodel (E) Deck |
| B32587 | Solar / battery storage | Issued | Iss. Feb 14, 2023 | $22,000 | installl 3.7 kw Enphase solar array with 10 kw Enphase battery back up |
| B27947 | Solar / battery storage | Issued | Iss. Dec 1, 2021 | $20,000 | install 3.7 kw Enphase solar aray with 10 kw Enphase battery back up |
| 148917 | Windows / doors / siding | Issued | Iss. Sep 10, 2015 | $20,500 | Remove Exstg Siding & Install Cement Brd Per W U I Rqrmnts |
| 144510 | Remodel / interior alteration | Issued | Iss. Oct 14, 2014 |