1203 Simmons Ln
Novato 94945 · Novato · Coordinates: 38.12143, -122.58605
Executive Verdict · Public-Records Synthesis
Zoned R1-7.5 in Novato with likely ADU & SB 9 infill eligibility and mapped CAL FIRE high fire hazard severity zone (local responsibility area) due diligence; benchmark value $1,185,000 ($1,007,000–$1,363,000).
Upsides & Opportunities
- ✓ ADU & SB 9 infill pathways screen as likely eligible
Zoned R1-7.5 supports ministerial ADU/JADU review plus SB 9 both two-unit development and ministerial urban lot split on a 43,342 sq ft lot.
Source: Novato zoning · CA Gov. Code 66314 & 65852.21
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 (Local 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 Mar 24, 2025)
- ! Delayed or open permit activity on this parcel
New home: Active in "Issued" for 4.2 yr (first record Aug 23, 2022) with no new permit activity recorded in 4.2 yr.
Source: County of Marin Community Development Agency, Building Permits (unincorporated Marin) (review-time benchmark)
- ! 3 slow or stalled nearby projects within ½ mile
Closest lead: Giesen JADU (0.19 mi W, 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)
Parcel & Assessor
- Lot size:
- 43,342 sq ft (0.99 ac)
- Assessor use:
- Single-Resid. - Improved
- Addresses on lot:
- 1203 SIMMONS LN
Zoning & Land Use
R1-7.5 — Low Density Residential (Novato)
State Housing Pathways Screen (ADU & SB 9)
- ADU or junior ADULikely eligible
Zoned R1-7.5 (single-family residential): state law allows ADUs where homes are allowed. We read R1-7.5 from the zoning code's name; we haven't checked it against Novato's code text.
- SB 9: two homes on the lotLikely eligible
Zoned R1-7.5, a single-family residential zone. We read R1-7.5 from the zoning code's name; we haven't checked it against Novato's code text.
- SB 9: split into two lotsLikely eligible
Zoned R1-7.5, a single-family residential zone. We read R1-7.5 from the zoning code's name; we haven't checked it against Novato's code text. The lot is 43,342 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 (Local Responsibility Area) (all of the lot, map Mar 24, 2025)
- FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer
- Zone X: minimal flood hazard (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: $1,007,000 – $1,363,000 · 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 —)
2 active or recent development projects (2 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 4.2 yr (first record Aug 23, 2022) with no new permit activity recorded in 4.2 yr.
- Zaragoza SFD (Issued)On this parcel
Active in "Issued" for 5.1 yr (first record Oct 18, 2021) with no new permit activity recorded in 4.2 yr.
- Giesen JADU (Issued)0.19 mi W
Active in "Issued" for 18 mo (first record Apr 30, 2025) with no new permit activity recorded in 18 mo.
- New home (Entitled)0.24 mi SW
Active in "Entitled" for 6 yr (first record Nov 30, 2020) with no new permit activity recorded in 6 yr.
Permit & Project History on This Parcel (0 permits, 2 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 2021, 2022).