552 Alta Way
Mill Valley 94941 · Tamalpais · Unincorporated Marin · Coordinates: 37.88584, -122.54050
Executive Verdict · Public-Records Synthesis
Zoned R1-B1 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 $2,109,000 ($1,856,000–$2,362,000).
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 6,447 sq ft lot. Local precedent is active with 7 ADU permits within ¼ mile over the last 36 months.
Source: Unincorporated Marin zoning · CA Gov. Code 66314 & 65852.21
- ✓ Documented permitted upgrades (+$28,314 contributory est.)
Public building records show issued construction/renovation work on this parcel (4 total permits, latest Apr 7, 2022).
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 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)
- ! Delayed or open permit activity on this parcel
Remodel / interior alteration (89734): Pending in review for 4.6 yr (20.2× the 83d median) — slower than 90% of remodel / interior alteration permits in Unincorporated Marin (median 83d, 90th pct 266d, n=1,054).
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 (120 ft S, 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:
- 6,447 sq ft (0.15 ac)
- Assessor use:
- Single-Resid. - Improved
- Addresses on lot:
- 552 ALTA WAY
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 6,447 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: $1,856,000 – $2,362,000 · 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)120 ft S
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).
- Remodel / interior alteration (89734) (Applied)On this parcel
Pending in review for 4.6 yr (20.2× the 83d median) — slower than 90% of remodel / interior alteration permits in Unincorporated Marin (median 83d, 90th pct 266d, n=1,054).
- New commercial building at 100 Harvard Ave (Issued)0.45 mi NE
Active in "Issued" for 23 mo (first record Dec 26, 2024) with no new permit activity recorded in 18 mo. High-impact scale ($6,500,000 declared valuation across 1 permit).
- New home at 731 Bay Rd (Issued)0.49 mi S
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: Mayer And (2 on parcel, 3 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); Gene Burch Plumbing Heating And Air (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · HVAC / heat pump); Owner Builder (78 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); Owner (40 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); International Building Investment (12 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration).
Permit & Project History on This Parcel (4 permits, 0 grouped projects)
| Record # | Category | Status | Applied / Issued | Valuation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 89734 | Remodel / interior alteration | Applied | App. Apr 7, 2022 | $60,000 | Remod, Addtn/Convrsn; Add/Replace Windows; Add Guard Rail S M F D M V S D |
| B26279 | HVAC / heat pump | Issued | Iss. Jul 13, 2021 | $15,623 | replace furnace/ac with new Trane 4Ton 14SEER ac and Trane S 80,000BTU 95% 2 stage furnace — Replace Mechanical Applianc… |
| 153558 | Remodel / interior alteration | Issued | Iss. Oct 19, 2016 | $1,800 | Rmdl Firepl Surround |
| 153440 | Remodel / interior alteration | Issued | Iss. Oct 5, 2016 | $84,000 | Rmdl Kit & Ba - Express |