1219 W California Ave
Mill Valley 94941 · Tamalpais · Unincorporated Marin · Coordinates: 37.88677, -122.54224
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 $2,074,000 ($1,825,000–$2,323,000).
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 132,945 sq ft lot. Local precedent is active with 8 ADU permits within ¼ mile over the last 36 months.
Source: Unincorporated Marin zoning · CA Gov. Code 66314 & 65852.21
- ✓ Documented permitted upgrades (+$5,610 contributory est.)
Public building records show issued construction/renovation work on this parcel (15 total permits, latest Jun 3, 2024).
Source: County of Marin Community Development Agency, Building Permits (unincorporated Marin) (parcel APN)
- ✓ Above-average reinvestment in Tamalpais
50 substantial renovation & housing permits over 24 months (20.5 per 1,000 parcels vs. 16.4 citywide baseline) (#3 of 22 neighborhoods).
Source: County of Marin Community Development Agency, Building Permits (unincorporated Marin) (Tamalpais)
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 41% 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 560 Alta Way (0.12 mi SE, applied). 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 (~$24,301/yr at $2,074,000)
Sale triggers reassessment to 1.00% base + ~0.15% voter debt (~$2,025/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:
- 132,945 sq ft (3.05 ac)
- Assessor use:
- Single-Resid. - Improved
- Addresses on lot:
- 1219 W CALIFORNIA AVE; 1221 W CALIFORNIA 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 132,945 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 41% of the lot, map Apr 1, 2024); Moderate Fire Hazard Severity Zone (State Responsibility Area) (about 59% 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: $1,825,000 – $2,323,000 · 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 560 Alta Way (Applied)0.12 mi SE
In "Applied" for 3.3 yr (since Aug 10, 2023), 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, $975,000 declared valuation across 1 permit).
- New home at 510 Browning Ct (Issued)0.23 mi SE
Active in "Issued" for 10.2 yr (first record Aug 15, 2016) with no new permit activity recorded in 9.9 yr. High-impact scale (1 housing unit, $900,000 declared valuation across 1 permit).
- New home at 210 Brabo Ter (Issued)0.44 mi N
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 204 Reed St (Issued)0.47 mi N
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: Owner Builder (4 on parcel, 77 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); Owner (9 on parcel, 48 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); The R And D Lab (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Roof replacement); Haddon Heating And Cooling (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · HVAC / heat pump); Yonts Construction (5 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration).
Permit & Project History on This Parcel (15 permits, 0 grouped projects)
| Record # | Category | Status | Applied / Issued | Valuation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B38253 | HVAC / heat pump | Issued | Iss. Jun 3, 2024 | $19,137 | Install (1) new 2 ton, 20 SEER ductless mini split located in the side yard with (1) new electrical disconnect. — Mechan… |
| B35925 | Roof replacement | Issued | Iss. Oct 27, 2023 | $21,780 | tear off roof and install new asphalt torch down (rolled roofing) (23 squares) — ReRoofing; With Electronic Inspection |
| 162464 | New garage / accessory structure | Issued | Iss. Aug 27, 2019 | $30,000 | Rmdl Barn |
| B15574 | Windows / doors / siding | Issued | Iss. Aug 1, 2018 | $5,000 | replace windows in art studio — Non-structural Door/Window Replacement |
| B15398 | Windows / doors / siding | Issued |