998 Simmons Ln
Novato 94945 · Novato · Coordinates: 38.11205, -122.58892
Executive Verdict · Public-Records Synthesis
Zoned R5-4.5 in Novato with likely ministerial ADU eligibility and zero mapped flood, fire, or fault hazard overlaps; benchmark value $1,061,000 ($902,000–$1,220,000).
Upsides & Opportunities
- ✓ Ministerial ADU / JADU pathway likely eligible
Zone R5-4.5 allows residential use qualifying for ministerial ADU review under state law.
Source: Novato zoning · CA Gov. Code 66314
Watchouts & Due Diligence
- ! Mapped flood awareness zone (Zone X: 0.2% annual chance flood hazard (shaded X))
all of the lot of the parcel intersects Zone X: 0.2% annual chance flood hazard (shaded X). Outside mandatory federal SFHA insurance rules, but check local drainage and finished-floor requirements.
Source: FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer (parcel polygon)
- ! Delayed or open permit activity on this parcel
New home: Active in "Issued" for 3.2 yr (first record Aug 14, 2023) with no new permit activity recorded in 3.2 yr.
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: AMG 4th and Grant (0.39 mi SE, 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:
- 5,881 sq ft (0.14 ac)
- Assessor use:
- Single-Resid. - Improved
- Addresses on lot:
- 998 SIMMONS LN
Zoning & Land Use
R5-4.5 — Medium Density Residenial (Novato)
State Housing Pathways Screen (ADU & SB 9)
- ADU or junior ADULikely eligible
Zoned R5-4.5 (multifamily residential): state law allows ADUs where homes are allowed. On a multifamily lot the state allowance is different: ADUs in non-living space of the building, plus up to eight detached ADUs.
- SB 9: two homes on the lotUnlikely
Zoned R5-4.5 (multifamily residential), not a single-family residential zone.
- SB 9: split into two lotsUnlikely
Zoned R5-4.5 (multifamily residential), 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 X: 0.2% annual chance flood hazard (shaded X) (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: $902,000 – $1,220,000 · Status: Off market
HUD Small Area FMR (ZIP 94945) · FY 2026
Studio $2,050 · 1BR $2,510 · 2BR $2,990 · 3BR $3,770 · 4BR $3,960
Nearby Activity (½ mile radius, since —)
7 active or recent development projects (61 housing units across completed, permitted, and pipeline stages) and 0 total building permits recorded within ½ mile.
Developments Deserving Closer Investigation & Active Area Builders
- New home (Issued)On this parcel
Active in "Issued" for 3.2 yr (first record Aug 14, 2023) with no new permit activity recorded in 3.2 yr.
- AMG 4th and Grant (Entitled)0.39 mi SE
Active in "Entitled" for 2.2 yr (first record Aug 27, 2024) with no new permit activity recorded in 2.2 yr. High-impact scale (209 housing units, 206 deed-restricted affordable across 0 permits).
- AMG 3rd and Grant (Entitled)0.39 mi SE
Active in "Entitled" for 2.4 yr (first record Jun 11, 2024) with no new permit activity recorded in 2.4 yr. High-impact scale (56 housing units, 55 deed-restricted affordable across 0 permits).
- Lodge on Novato Creek (Entitled)0.43 mi SE
Active in "Entitled" for 2 yr (first record Nov 18, 2024) with no new permit activity recorded in 2 yr. High-impact scale (55 housing units, 5 deed-restricted affordable across 0 permits).
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: 3 entries (report years 2023, 2024, 2025).