859 Diablo Ave
Novato 94947 · Novato · Coordinates: 38.10265, -122.57406
Executive Verdict · Public-Records Synthesis
Zoned CG in Novato and mapped FEMA AO flood due diligence; benchmark value $1,080,000 ($918,000–$1,242,000).
Upsides & Opportunities
- ✓ Area valuation benchmark anchored at $1,080,000
Estimated range $918,000–$1,242,000 derived from area zhvi + acs + permit benchmark and 13,721 sq ft lot geometry.
Source: ZIP 94947 Zillow Home Value Index ($1,012,808, September 2026) (Data provided by Zillow)
Watchouts & Due Diligence
- ! FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area (AO, all of the lot of lot)
Zone AO: 1% annual chance flood (Special Flood Hazard Area) overlaps this parcel. Expect mandatory flood insurance for federally backed loans and floodplain elevation/mitigation rules for new units or SB 9 applications.
Source: FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer (parcel polygon)
- ! Delayed or open permit activity on this parcel
4 new homes: Active in "Issued" for 7.8 yr (first record Jan 31, 2019) with no new permit activity recorded in 7.8 yr. High-impact scale (4 housing units across 0 permits).
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: 7299 Redwood Blvd Apartments (0.22 mi NE, entitled). Inspect timeline history before assuming near-term completion.
Source: County of Marin Community Development Agency, Building Permits (unincorporated Marin) · HCD APR (½-mile radius)
- ! Bulk building permits not published for Novato
Permit counts and nearby activity on this page may omit municipal counter records. Request a parcel permit report directly from the local building department.
Source: Source coverage registry (Novato)
Parcel & Assessor
- Lot size:
- 13,721 sq ft (0.31 ac)
- Assessor use:
- Commercial - Improved
- Addresses on lot:
- 859 DIABLO AVE
Zoning & Land Use
CG — General Commercial (Novato)
State Housing Pathways Screen (ADU & SB 9)
- ADU or junior ADUUnlikely
Zoned CG (commercial): the zone doesn't allow homes, so state ADU rules don't apply.
- SB 9: two homes on the lotUnlikely
Zoned CG (commercial), not a single-family residential zone.
- SB 9: split into two lotsUnlikely
Zoned CG (commercial), not a single-family residential zone.
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 AO: 1% annual chance flood (Special Flood Hazard Area) (all of the lot) · FIRM panel 06041C0277E, 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: $918,000 – $1,242,000 · Status: Off market
HUD Small Area FMR (ZIP 94947) · FY 2026
Studio $2,250 · 1BR $2,690 · 2BR $3,260 · 3BR $4,160 · 4BR $4,320
Nearby Activity (½ mile radius, since November 2024)
7 active or recent development projects (87 housing units across completed, permitted, and pipeline stages) and 4 total building permits recorded within ½ mile.
- New construction2 permits (1 units)
Developments Deserving Closer Investigation & Active Area Builders
- 4 new homes (Issued)On this parcel
Active in "Issued" for 7.8 yr (first record Jan 31, 2019) with no new permit activity recorded in 7.8 yr. High-impact scale (4 housing units across 0 permits).
- 7299 Redwood Blvd Apartments (Entitled)0.22 mi NE
Active in "Entitled" for 14 mo (first record Sep 22, 2025) with no new permit activity recorded in 14 mo. High-impact scale (82 housing units, 81 deed-restricted affordable across 0 permits).
- First and Grant Mixed Use (Entitled)0.38 mi N
Active in "Entitled" for 8 yr (first record Nov 5, 2018) with no new permit activity recorded in 8 yr. High-impact scale (32 housing units, 6 deed-restricted affordable across 0 permits).
- New home (Issued)240 ft NW
Active in "Issued" for 3.8 yr (first record Feb 2, 2023) with no new permit activity recorded in 3.8 yr.
Permit & Project History on This Parcel (0 permits, 1 grouped projects)
No building permits recorded on this parcel in our dataset.
State HCD Housing Element APR records on this parcel: 1 entry (report years 2019).