501 Drake Ave
Sausalito 94965 · Marin City · Unincorporated Marin · Coordinates: 37.87042, -122.51351
Executive Verdict · Public-Records Synthesis
Zoned R1 in Unincorporated Marin with likely ADU & SB 9 infill eligibility and mapped CAL FIRE high fire hazard severity zone (state responsibility area) due diligence; benchmark value $1,693,000 ($1,490,000–$1,896,000).
Upsides & Opportunities
- ✓ ADU & SB 9 infill pathways screen as likely eligible
Zoned R1 supports ministerial ADU/JADU review plus SB 9 both two-unit development and ministerial urban lot split on a 31,581 sq ft lot.
Source: Unincorporated Marin zoning · CA Gov. Code 66314 & 65852.21
- ✓ 1 documented municipal building permit on file
On-parcel permit history is indexed through Jan 8, 2019, 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 Marin City
21 substantial renovation & housing permits over 24 months (40.5 per 1,000 parcels vs. 16.4 citywide baseline) (#14 of 22 neighborhoods).
Source: County of Marin Community Development Agency, Building Permits (unincorporated Marin) (Marin City)
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 (State 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 Apr 1, 2024)
- ! 6 slow or stalled nearby projects within ½ mile
Closest lead: 74 new homes at 825 Drake Ave (0.28 mi N, 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 (~$19,920/yr at $1,693,000)
Sale triggers reassessment to 1.00% base + ~0.15% voter debt (~$1,660/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:
- 31,581 sq ft (0.72 ac)
- Assessor use:
- Exemption - Improved
- Addresses on lot:
- 501 DRAKE AVE
Zoning & Land Use
R1 — Residential Single Family (Unincorporated Marin)
State Housing Pathways Screen (ADU & SB 9)
- ADU or junior ADULikely eligible
Zoned R1 (single-family residential): state law allows ADUs where homes are allowed.
- SB 9: two homes on the lotLikely eligible
Zoned R1, a single-family residential zone.
- SB 9: split into two lotsLikely eligible
Zoned R1, a single-family residential zone. The lot is 31,581 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 (State Responsibility Area) (all of the lot, map Apr 1, 2024)
- FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer
- Zone X: minimal flood hazard (all of the lot) · FIRM panel 06041C0507E, 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: $1,490,000 – $1,896,000 · Status: Off market
HUD Small Area FMR (ZIP 94965) · FY 2026
Studio $2,720 · 1BR $3,260 · 2BR $3,950 · 3BR $5,050 · 4BR $5,230
Developments Deserving Closer Investigation & Active Area Builders
- 74 new homes at 825 Drake Ave (Issued)0.28 mi N
Active in "Issued" for 5.9 yr (first record Nov 30, 2020) with no new permit activity recorded in 3.5 yr. High-impact scale (74 housing units, $8,731,920 declared valuation across 1 permit).
- New home at 25 Burgess Ct (adu #23) (Issued)0.17 mi NW
Active in "Issued" for 6.9 yr (first record Dec 30, 2019) with no new permit activity recorded in 5.1 yr. High-impact scale (1 housing unit, $2,200,000 declared valuation across 1 permit).
- New home (Entitled)240 ft E
In "Entitled" for 5.5 yr (since May 12, 2021), exceeding the 253d median and 686d 90th percentile for new single-family home permits in Unincorporated Marin (n=121).
- New home (Entitled)490 ft SW
In "Entitled" for 5.5 yr (since Apr 28, 2021), exceeding the 253d median and 686d 90th percentile for new single-family home permits in Unincorporated Marin (n=121).
Entity-resolved builders & contractors in ½ mile: Meier And Sons Roofing (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Roof replacement); Owner Builder (34 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); Ga Higgins (22 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); Owner (19 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); Rods General Builders (13 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration).
Permit & Project History on This Parcel (1 permits, 0 grouped projects)
| Record # | Category | Status | Applied / Issued | Valuation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B16785 | Roof replacement | Issued | Iss. Jan 8, 2019 | $27,000 | Tear off and re-roof — ReRoofing |