541 Midvale Way
Mill Valley 94941 · Tamalpais · Unincorporated Marin · Coordinates: 37.88526, -122.54416
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 $2,168,000 ($1,908,000–$2,428,000).
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
- ✓ 2 documented municipal building permits on file
On-parcel permit history is indexed through Aug 12, 2026, 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 Tamalpais
50 substantial renovation & housing permits over 24 months (20.5 per 1,000 parcels vs. 16.3 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)
- ! 6 slow or stalled nearby projects within ½ mile
Closest lead: New home at 560 Alta Way (0.19 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)
- ! Year 1 Prop 13 tax reset (~$25,382/yr at $2,168,000)
Sale triggers reassessment to 1.00% base + ~0.15% voter debt (~$2,115/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:
- 10,977 sq ft (0.25 ac)
- Assessor use:
- Single-Resid. - Improved
- Addresses on lot:
- 541 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: $1,908,000 – $2,428,000 · 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
Nearby Activity (½ mile radius, since November 2024)
13 active or recent development projects (12 housing units across completed, permitted, and pipeline stages) and 409 total building permits recorded within ½ mile.
- New construction3 permits (2 units)
- Adds housing (ADU)10 permits (10 units)
- Demolition2 permits
- Additions & renovations28 permits
- Building systems283 permits
- Repairs14 permits
- Other69 permits
Developments Deserving Closer Investigation & Active Area Builders
- New home at 560 Alta Way (Applied)0.19 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).
- New home at 510 Browning Ct (Issued)0.26 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)0.49 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).
- Accessory dwelling unit at 802 Chamberlain Ct (Applied)0.1 mi NE
In "Applied" for 2.6 yr (since Apr 8, 2024), exceeding the 253d median and 686d 90th percentile for new single-family home permits in Unincorporated Marin (n=121).
Entity-resolved builders & contractors in ½ mile: Lapje Roofing (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Roof replacement); Acw Mechanical Of Northern Cal (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · HVAC / heat pump); Owner Builder (59 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); Owner (31 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); Yonts Construction (5 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration).
Permit & Project History on This Parcel (2 permits, 0 grouped projects)
| Record # | Category | Status | Applied / Issued | Valuation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B47876 | Roof replacement | Issued | Iss. Aug 12, 2026 | $45,500 | ReRoofing |
| B41243 | HVAC / heat pump | Issued | Iss. Feb 14, 2025 | $22,882 | Replacing the Furnace in the existing location in the Crawl Space and replacing the AC on the Right side of the house 10… |