535 Midvale Way
Mill Valley 94941 · Tamalpais · Unincorporated Marin · Coordinates: 37.88478, -122.54435
Executive Verdict · Public-Records Synthesis
Zoned RA-B2 in Unincorporated Marin with likely ministerial ADU eligibility and mapped CAL FIRE high fire hazard severity zone (state responsibility area) due diligence; benchmark value $2,320,000 ($2,042,000–$2,598,000).
Upsides & Opportunities
- ✓ Ministerial ADU / JADU pathway likely eligible
Zone RA-B2 allows residential use qualifying for ministerial ADU review under state law (4 ADU permits permitted within ¼ mile in 36 months).
Source: Unincorporated Marin zoning · CA Gov. Code 66314
- ✓ Documented permitted upgrades (+$15,480 contributory est.)
Public building records show issued construction/renovation work on this parcel (5 total permits, latest Sep 2, 2021).
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) (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
HVAC / heat pump (B25140): Issued after 2 mo — slower than 90% of hvac / heat pump permits in Unincorporated Marin (median 0d, 90th pct 0d, n=2,946).
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 560 Alta Way (0.21 mi E, 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)
Parcel & Assessor
- Lot size:
- 32,888 sq ft (0.76 ac)
- Assessor use:
- Single-Resid. - Improved
- Addresses on lot:
- 535 MIDVALE WAY
Zoning & Land Use
RA-B2 — Residential Agriculture (Unincorporated Marin)
State Housing Pathways Screen (ADU & SB 9)
- ADU or junior ADULikely eligible
Zoned RA-B2 (single-family residential): state law allows ADUs where homes are allowed.
- SB 9: two homes on the lotCan't tell
Zoned RA-B2 (single-family residential): we can't tell whether it counts as a single-family zone for SB 9. Residential agriculture, estate and restricted: large-lot residential; confirm SB 9 with the county.
- SB 9: split into two lotsCan't tell
Zoned RA-B2 (single-family residential): we can't tell whether it counts as a single-family zone for SB 9. Residential agriculture, estate and restricted: large-lot residential; confirm SB 9 with the county.
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: $2,042,000 – $2,598,000 · 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)0.21 mi E
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).
- HVAC / heat pump (B25140) (Issued)On this parcel
Issued after 2 mo — slower than 90% of hvac / heat pump permits in Unincorporated Marin (median 0d, 90th pct 0d, n=2,946).
- New home at 510 Browning Ct (Issued)0.27 mi E
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 731 Bay Rd (Issued)0.46 mi SE
Active in "Issued" for 18 mo (first record May 12, 2025) with no new permit activity recorded in 15 mo. High-impact scale (1 housing unit, $955,000 declared valuation across 1 permit).
Entity-resolved builders & contractors in ½ mile: Xero Solar (2 on parcel, 2 in ½ mi · Solar / battery storage); Wedge Roofing (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Roof replacement); Moore Services (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · HVAC / heat pump); Peter Levi Plumbing (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Plumbing / water heater / sewer); Owner Builder (56 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration).
Permit & Project History on This Parcel (5 permits, 0 grouped projects)
| Record # | Category | Status | Applied / Issued | Valuation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 169256 | Solar / battery storage | Issued | Iss. Sep 2, 2021 | $20,000 | 6.53kw Rooftop Solar And Energy Storage System - Express |
| B26803 | Solar / battery storage | Issued | Iss. Aug 26, 2021 | $23,000 | (6.53 kW) PV + (2) Tesla Powerwalls |
| B26209 | Roof replacement | Issued | Iss. Jul 2, 2021 | $25,200 | Remove existing roof down to sheathing. Prepare existing sheathing for new roof. Install GAF Timberline HDZ Lifetime Shi… |
| B25140 | HVAC / heat pump | Issued | Iss. May 12, 2021 | $10,875 | NEW (CUT IN) 60K BTU FAU. — Mechanical Appliance |
| B24692 | Plumbing / water heater / sewer | Issued | Iss. Jan 25, 2021 |