156 California Ave
Mill Valley 94941 · Almonte · Unincorporated Marin · Coordinates: 37.88729, -122.52971
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 $1,927,000 ($1,696,000–$2,158,000).
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 2,396 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 20, 2021, 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 (300 ft NE, 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 (~$22,611/yr at $1,927,000)
Sale triggers reassessment to 1.00% base + ~0.15% voter debt (~$1,884/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:
- 2,396 sq ft (0.06 ac)
- Assessor use:
- Single-Resid. - Improved
- Addresses on lot:
- 156 CALIFORNIA 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 2,396 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: $1,696,000 – $2,158,000 · 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)300 ft NE
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 home at 217 Cleveland Ave (Issued)0.17 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).
- New commercial building at 100 Harvard Ave (Issued)0.19 mi NW
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).
- 2 new homes (Issued)0.44 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: Bigham Services (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · HVAC / heat pump); Owner Builder (86 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); Owner (44 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B25807 | HVAC / heat pump | Issued | Iss. May 20, 2021 | $6,766 | REPLACE FURNACE ONLY IN SAME LOCATION. AFUE 80% — Replace Mechanical Appliance |