512 Browning Ct
Mill Valley 94941 · Tamalpais · Unincorporated Marin · Coordinates: 37.88387, -122.53941
Executive Verdict · Public-Records Synthesis
Zoned RA-B2 in Unincorporated Marin with likely ministerial ADU eligibility and mapped CAL FIRE moderate fire hazard severity zone (state responsibility area) due diligence; benchmark value $2,228,000 ($1,961,000–$2,495,000).
Upsides & Opportunities
- ✓ Ministerial ADU / JADU pathway likely eligible
Zone RA-B2 allows residential use qualifying for ministerial ADU review under state law (8 ADU permits permitted within ¼ mile in 36 months).
Source: Unincorporated Marin zoning · CA Gov. Code 66314
- ✓ Documented permitted upgrades (+$11,360 contributory est.)
Public building records show issued construction/renovation work on this parcel (6 total permits, latest May 30, 2023).
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
New garage / accessory structure (152820): Issued after 3 yr (6.6× the 164d median) — slower than 90% of new garage / accessory structure permits in Unincorporated Marin (median 164d, 90th pct 485d, n=356).
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 560 Alta Way (0.13 mi NW, 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:
- 14,680 sq ft (0.34 ac)
- Assessor use:
- Single-Resid. - Improved
- Addresses on lot:
- 512 BROWNING CT
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
- 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: $1,961,000 – $2,495,000 · 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)0.13 mi NW
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 garage / accessory structure (152820) (Issued)On this parcel
Issued after 3 yr (6.6× the 164d median) — slower than 90% of new garage / accessory structure permits in Unincorporated Marin (median 164d, 90th pct 485d, n=356).
- General repair (152819) (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 home at 731 Bay Rd (Issued)0.36 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: Barton Design And Constuction (3 on parcel, 8 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); Tesla Energy (2 on parcel, 2 in ½ mi · Solar / battery storage); Peter Levi Plumbing (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Plumbing / water heater / sewer); Owner Builder (95 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); Owner (48 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration).
Permit & Project History on This Parcel (6 permits, 0 grouped projects)
| Record # | Category | Status | Applied / Issued | Valuation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B34093 | Plumbing / water heater / sewer | Issued | Iss. May 30, 2023 | $4,800 | Replace 50 gal water heater - tank to tank located in utility closet — Replace Plumbing Fixtures(s) |
| 164779 | Solar / battery storage | Issued | Iss. Jun 3, 2020 | — | Energy Storage System |
| 155297 | Remodel / interior alteration | Issued | Iss. Apr 26, 2017 | $15,000 | Rmdl Bath;Convert Study To (N) Bedroom And Expand Bedroom In Existing Liv Sp - Express |
| 152820 | New garage / accessory structure | Issued | Iss. Jul 27, 2016 | $75,000 | New Det Gar & Driveway Improvements T.D. 9/30/13. Arch Called - They Will Pick Up In Spring 2015*** |
| 152819 | General repair | Issued |