390 N Ferndale Ave
Mill Valley 94941 · Homestead · Unincorporated Marin · Coordinates: 37.89125, -122.54737
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 $2,120,000 ($1,866,000–$2,374,000).
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 5,750 sq ft lot. Local precedent is active with 3 ADU permits within ¼ mile over the last 36 months.
Source: Unincorporated Marin zoning · CA Gov. Code 66314 & 65852.21
- ✓ 3 documented municipal building permits on file
On-parcel permit history is indexed through Nov 14, 2017, letting you verify roof, HVAC, electrical, or structural work against seller disclosures.
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
General repair (157046): Issued after 22 mo (8.2× the 83d median) — slower than 90% of general repair permits in Unincorporated Marin (median 83d, 90th pct 328d, n=693).
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 at 322 Laverne Ave (0.35 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)
Parcel & Assessor
- Lot size:
- 5,750 sq ft (0.13 ac)
- Assessor use:
- Single-Resid. - Improved
- Addresses on lot:
- 390 N FERNDALE 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 5,750 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: $1,866,000 – $2,374,000 · 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
- General repair (157046) (Issued)On this parcel
Issued after 22 mo (8.2× the 83d median) — slower than 90% of general repair permits in Unincorporated Marin (median 83d, 90th pct 328d, n=693).
- New garage / accessory structure (157045) (Issued)On this parcel
Issued after 22 mo (4.1× the 164d median) — slower than 90% of new garage / accessory structure permits in Unincorporated Marin (median 164d, 90th pct 485d, n=356).
- New home at 322 Laverne Ave (Issued)0.35 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 346 Laverne Ave (Issued)0.36 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).
Entity-resolved builders & contractors in ½ mile: Hunts Construction Partnership (1 on parcel, 2 in ½ mi · Addition (adds square footage)); Owner Builder (47 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); Owner (29 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); Foley Built (5 in ½ mi · Addition (adds square footage)); Philip Kline Gen Cont (4 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration).
Permit & Project History on This Parcel (3 permits, 1 grouped projects)
| Record # | Category | Status | Applied / Issued | Valuation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 157046 | General repair | Issued | Iss. Nov 14, 2017 | $40,000 | Retaining Wall***Ext To 5/12/21, Pd Under 157044 |
| 157045 | New garage / accessory structure | Issued | Iss. Nov 14, 2017 | $55,000 | Det. Garage & Deck***Ext To 5/12/21, Pd Under 157044 2/26/15 |
| 157044 | New single-family home | Issued | Iss. Nov 14, 2017 | $450,000 | S F D, Deck & Storage***Ext To 5/12/21 T.D. 2/26/15 |
State HCD Housing Element APR records on this parcel: 1 entry (report years 2021).