304 Poplar St
Mill Valley 94941 · Tamalpais · Unincorporated Marin · Coordinates: 37.87889, -122.53444
Executive Verdict · Public-Records Synthesis
Zoned R1-B1 in Unincorporated Marin with likely ADU & SB 9 infill eligibility and mapped CAL FIRE high fire hazard severity zone (local responsibility area) due diligence; benchmark value $2,125,000 ($1,870,000–$2,380,000).
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 6,011 sq ft lot. Local precedent is active with 5 ADU permits within ¼ mile over the last 36 months.
Source: Unincorporated Marin zoning · CA Gov. Code 66314 & 65852.21
- ✓ Documented permitted upgrades (+$56,700 contributory est.)
Public building records show issued construction/renovation work on this parcel (2 total permits, latest Apr 2, 2019).
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: 0.2% annual chance flood hazard (shaded X))
about 90% of the lot of the parcel intersects Zone X: 0.2% annual chance flood hazard (shaded X). 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 (Local 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 Mar 24, 2025)
- ! 6 slow or stalled nearby projects within ½ mile
Closest lead: Accessory dwelling unit at 403 Marin Ave (adu 403a) (500 ft SW, issued). 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 (~$24,888/yr at $2,125,000)
Sale triggers reassessment to 1.00% base + ~0.15% voter debt (~$2,074/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:
- 6,011 sq ft (0.14 ac)
- Assessor use:
- Single-Resid. - Improved
- Addresses on lot:
- 304 POPLAR ST
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 6,011 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 (Local Responsibility Area) (all of the lot, map Mar 24, 2025)
- FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer
- Zone X: 0.2% annual chance flood hazard (shaded X) (about 90% of the lot); Zone X: minimal flood hazard (about 10% 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: $1,870,000 – $2,380,000 · 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 403 Marin Ave (adu 403a) (Issued)500 ft SW
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 731 Bay Rd (Issued)0.34 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).
- New home at 469 W Live Oak Dr (aka 461) (Issued)0.34 mi SW
Active in "Issued" for 6.1 yr (first record Oct 22, 2020) with no new permit activity recorded in 22 mo. High-impact scale (1 housing unit, $980,000 declared valuation across 1 permit).
- New home at 746 Alta Vista Rd (Issued)0.45 mi SW
Active in "Issued" for 3.3 yr (first record Jul 19, 2023) with no new permit activity recorded in 2.3 yr. High-impact scale (1 housing unit, $1,183,700 declared valuation across 2 permits).
Entity-resolved builders & contractors in ½ mile: Owner Builder (1 on parcel, 95 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); Lightning Services (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Electrical / panel); Owner (54 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); International Building Investment (12 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); Lamperti Contracting And Design (7 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration).
Permit & Project History on This Parcel (2 permits, 1 grouped projects)
| Record # | Category | Status | Applied / Issued | Valuation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 161179 | Addition (adds square footage) | Issued | Iss. Apr 2, 2019 | $105,000 | Remodel And Convert. To Lvg Space (Adu And Jadu) Scope Includes New Decks, New Windows, New Fireplace |
| B17111 | Electrical / panel | Issued | Iss. Feb 21, 2019 | $4,500 | 1- Dedicated circuits for Heated Floor in bathroom, and for GFI outlet in bathroom 2- Install (2) New Light fixtures in … |
State HCD Housing Element APR records on this parcel: 3 entries (report years 2019, 2021).