421 Marin Ave
Mill Valley 94941 · Tamalpais · Unincorporated Marin · Coordinates: 37.87819, -122.53783
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 $2,235,000 ($1,967,000–$2,503,000).
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 16,422 sq ft lot. Local precedent is active with 4 ADU permits within ¼ mile over the last 36 months.
Source: Unincorporated Marin zoning · CA Gov. Code 66314 & 65852.21
- ✓ 2 documented municipal building permits on file
On-parcel permit history is indexed through Jan 6, 2025, 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. 16.4 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)
- ! 6 slow or stalled nearby projects within ½ mile
Closest lead: Accessory dwelling unit at 875 Marin Dr (0.45 mi SW, 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 (~$26,153/yr at $2,235,000)
Sale triggers reassessment to 1.00% base + ~0.15% voter debt (~$2,179/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:
- 16,422 sq ft (0.38 ac)
- Assessor use:
- Single-Resid. - Improved
- Addresses on lot:
- 421 MARIN 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 16,422 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) (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: $1,967,000 – $2,503,000 · 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
- Accessory dwelling unit at 875 Marin Dr (Applied)0.45 mi SW
In "Applied" for 2.6 yr (since Apr 11, 2024), exceeding the 253d median and 686d 90th percentile for new single-family home permits in Unincorporated Marin (n=121). Record changed to "updated" in snapshot Nov 4, 2026.
- Accessory dwelling unit at 403 Marin Ave (adu 403a) (Issued)0.11 mi E
Active in "Issued" for 2.9 yr (first record Dec 21, 2023) with no new permit activity recorded in 19 mo. High-impact scale (1 housing unit, $1,000,000 declared valuation across 1 permit).
- New home at 407 Spruce St (Issued)0.12 mi NE
Active in "Issued" for 7.7 yr (first record Mar 14, 2019) with no new permit activity recorded in 7.5 yr. High-impact scale (1 housing unit, $750,000 declared valuation across 1 permit).
- New home at 731 Bay Rd (Issued)0.16 mi W
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: Owner (1 on parcel, 45 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); Dave Mason Building (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Windows / doors / siding); Owner Builder (87 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); International Building Investment (12 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); Leon Construction (7 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration).
Permit & Project History on This Parcel (2 permits, 0 grouped projects)
| Record # | Category | Status | Applied / Issued | Valuation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B40734 | EV charger | Issued | Iss. Jan 6, 2025 | $10,000 | UPGRADE ELECTRICAL PANEL TO 200 AMPS AND RELOCATE PANEL FROM FRONT TO SIDE OF HOUSE — Service Upgrade, EV Charging Stati… |
| B24688 | Windows / doors / siding | Issued | Iss. Feb 24, 2021 | $7,500 | Install new horizontal siding at approx 50% of existing exterior, over existing plywood siding. New moisture barrier and… |