153 Harvard Ave
Mill Valley 94941 · Almonte · Unincorporated Marin · Coordinates: 37.88783, -122.52993
Executive Verdict · Public-Records Synthesis
Zoned R1-B1 in Unincorporated Marin with likely ADU & SB 9 infill eligibility and zero mapped flood, fire, or fault hazard overlaps; benchmark value $1,915,000 ($1,685,000–$2,145,000).
Upsides & Opportunities
- ✓ ADU & SB 9 infill pathways screen as likely eligible
Zoned R1-B1 supports ministerial ADU/JADU review plus SB 9 two-unit residential development on a 2,222 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
- ✓ 1 documented municipal building permit on file
On-parcel permit history is indexed through May 30, 2024, 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)
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)
- ! 6 slow or stalled nearby projects within ½ mile
Closest lead: Accessory dwelling unit at 131 Yale Ave A (270 ft E, 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 (~$22,473/yr at $1,915,000)
Sale triggers reassessment to 1.00% base + ~0.15% voter debt (~$1,873/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:
- 2,222 sq ft (0.05 ac)
- Assessor use:
- Single-Resid. - Improved
- Addresses on lot:
- 153 HARVARD AVE
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 lotsUnlikely
Zoned R1-B1, a single-family residential zone. The lot is 2,222 sq ft by the assessor; a split needs at least 2,400 sq ft (two lots of 1,200 sq ft or more).
Mapped Hazard Zones on This Lot
- CAL FIRE Fire Hazard Severity Zone
- Not in a State-mapped fire hazard severity zone
- FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer
- Zone X: minimal flood hazard (all of the lot) · FIRM panel 06041C0469F, 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: $1,685,000 – $2,145,000 · 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 131 Yale Ave A (Issued)270 ft E
Active in "Issued" for 4.8 yr (first record Jan 19, 2022) with no new permit activity recorded in 3.4 yr. High-impact scale (1 housing unit, $1,000,000 declared valuation across 1 permit).
- New commercial building at 100 Harvard Ave (Issued)0.17 mi W
Active in "Issued" for 23 mo (first record Dec 26, 2024) with no new permit activity recorded in 18 mo. High-impact scale ($6,500,000 declared valuation across 1 permit).
- New home at 217 Cleveland Ave (Issued)0.21 mi SE
Active in "Issued" for 9.7 yr (first record Feb 21, 2017) with no new permit activity recorded in 2.3 yr. High-impact scale (1 housing unit, $875,000 declared valuation across 1 permit).
- 2 new homes (Issued)0.41 mi N
Active in "Issued" for 5.7 yr (first record Mar 1, 2021) with no new permit activity recorded in 5.7 yr. High-impact scale (2 housing units, 1 deed-restricted affordable across 0 permits).
Entity-resolved builders & contractors in ½ mile: Enviro Heating And Air Conditioning (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · HVAC / heat pump); Owner Builder (85 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); Owner (46 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); Miette (6 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); Juan Calmell (5 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration).
Permit & Project History on This Parcel (1 permits, 0 grouped projects)
| Record # | Category | Status | Applied / Issued | Valuation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B38224 | HVAC / heat pump | Issued | Iss. May 30, 2024 | $9,818 | Install a new 15,000 BTU Mitsubishi indoor air handler. Install a new 15,000 BTU Mitsubishi outdoor heat pump unit. — Re… |