300 Poplar St
Mill Valley 94941 · Tamalpais · Unincorporated Marin · Coordinates: 37.87909, -122.53427
Executive Verdict · Public-Records Synthesis
Zoned C1 in Unincorporated Marin and mapped CAL FIRE high fire hazard severity zone (local responsibility area) due diligence; benchmark value $2,097,000 ($1,845,000–$2,349,000).
Upsides & Opportunities
- ✓ 2 documented municipal building permits on file
On-parcel permit history is indexed through Mar 18, 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: 0.2% annual chance flood hazard (shaded X))
about 1% 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) (about 9% 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)
- ! Delayed or open permit activity on this parcel
Commercial tenant improvement (160853): Issued after 8 mo (1.6× the 148d median) — above the 75th percentile for commercial tenant improvement permits in Unincorporated Marin (median 148d, 75th pct 233d, n=81).
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: Accessory dwelling unit at 403 Marin Ave (adu 403a) (0.11 mi 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)
Parcel & Assessor
- Lot size:
- 7,144 sq ft (0.16 ac)
- Assessor use:
- Commercial - Improved
- Addresses on lot:
- 300 POPLAR ST; 300 POPLAR ST APT 1; 300 POPLAR ST APT 2
Zoning & Land Use
C1 — Retail Business (Unincorporated Marin)
State Housing Pathways Screen (ADU & SB 9)
- ADU or junior ADUUnlikely
Zoned C1 (commercial): the zone doesn't allow homes, so state ADU rules don't apply.
- SB 9: two homes on the lotUnlikely
Zoned C1 (commercial), not a single-family residential zone.
- SB 9: split into two lotsUnlikely
Zoned C1 (commercial), not a single-family residential zone.
Mapped Hazard Zones on This Lot
- CAL FIRE Fire Hazard Severity Zone
- High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (Local Responsibility Area) (about 9% of the lot, map Mar 24, 2025); Moderate Fire Hazard Severity Zone (Local Responsibility Area) (about 91% of the lot, map Mar 24, 2025)
- FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer
- Zone X: 0.2% annual chance flood hazard (shaded X) (about 1% of the lot); Zone X: minimal flood hazard (about 99% 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: $1,845,000 – $2,349,000 · 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)0.11 mi 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)0.35 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)0.36 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)0.47 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, 99 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); Robert Curry Electric (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Electrical / panel); Owner (56 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, 0 grouped projects)
| Record # | Category | Status | Applied / Issued | Valuation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B41646 | Electrical / panel | Issued | Iss. Mar 18, 2025 | $6,940 | - Replace 400 Amp fused disconnect with 400 Amp breaker enclosure - Upgrade all grounding and bonding — Service Upgrade |
| 160853 | Commercial tenant improvement | Issued | Iss. Feb 27, 2019 | $10,000 | Kitchen Rmdl ***Bwop T.D. 10/2/18 |