301 Poplar St
Mill Valley 94941 · Tamalpais · Unincorporated Marin · Coordinates: 37.87897, -122.53389
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 $2,089,000 ($1,838,000–$2,340,000).
Upsides & Opportunities
- ✓ 11 documented municipal building permits on file
On-parcel permit history is indexed through Dec 23, 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. 16.3 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 (Local Responsibility Area) (about 50% 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
Plumbing / water heater / sewer (87562): Pending in review for 5.7 yr — slower than 90% of plumbing / water heater / sewer permits in Unincorporated Marin (median 0d, 90th pct 0d, n=2,211).
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: Accessory dwelling unit at 403 Marin Ave (adu 403a) (0.12 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:
- 6,795 sq ft (0.16 ac)
- Assessor use:
- Commercial - Improved
- Addresses on lot:
- 301 POPLAR ST; 301 POPLAR ST APT 1; 301 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 50% of the lot, map Mar 24, 2025); Moderate Fire Hazard Severity Zone (Local Responsibility Area) (about 50% of the lot, map Mar 24, 2025)
- 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: $1,838,000 – $2,340,000 · 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
- Plumbing / water heater / sewer (87562) (Applied)On this parcel
Pending in review for 5.7 yr — slower than 90% of plumbing / water heater / sewer permits in Unincorporated Marin (median 0d, 90th pct 0d, n=2,211).
- Electrical / panel (72461) (Applied)On this parcel
Pending in review for 12 yr — slower than 90% of electrical / panel permits in Unincorporated Marin (median 0d, 90th pct 2d, n=3,020).
- Accessory dwelling unit at 403 Marin Ave (adu 403a) (Issued)0.12 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 469 W Live Oak Dr (aka 461) (Issued)0.37 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).
Entity-resolved builders & contractors in ½ mile: Juan Calmell (2 on parcel, 4 in ½ mi · Electrical / panel); Bellows Plumbing Heating And Air (3 on parcel, 3 in ½ mi · HVAC / heat pump); William Gotelli Plumbing (2 on parcel, 2 in ½ mi · Plumbing / water heater / sewer); High Band Construction (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · New garage / accessory structure); Divine Electric (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · HVAC / heat pump).
Permit & Project History on This Parcel (11 permits, 0 grouped projects)
| Record # | Category | Status | Applied / Issued | Valuation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B45269 | HVAC / heat pump | Issued | Iss. Dec 23, 2025 | $3,500 | Replace failed 80% furnace with new, like for like, same location. — Replace Mechanical Appliance |
| B42786 | HVAC / heat pump | Issued | Iss. Jun 17, 2025 | $16,000 | Unit 8: -Replace existing sub-panel with new 8/16 space sub-panel -Run new 100 amp rated sub-feed from new sub-panel to … |
| B40071 | Plumbing / water heater / sewer | Issued | Iss. Nov 5, 2024 | $4,000 | Replace 30 gallon water heater with same in same location — Replace Plumbing Fixtures(s) |
| B35765 | HVAC / heat pump | Issued | Iss. Oct 12, 2023 | $3,100 | This is for unit #5, Replace existing 80% furnace in attic with new, like for like, same location. — Replace Mechanical … |
| B35762 |