681 A Cherry St
Novato 94945 · Novato · Coordinates: 38.11242, -122.56106
Executive Verdict · Public-Records Synthesis
Zoned R4-6.0 in Novato with likely ministerial ADU eligibility and mapped CAL FIRE moderate fire hazard severity zone (local responsibility area) due diligence; benchmark value $1,100,000 ($935,000–$1,265,000).
Upsides & Opportunities
- ✓ Ministerial ADU / JADU pathway likely eligible
Zone R4-6.0 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: 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 Moderate 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)
- ! 6 slow or stalled nearby projects within ½ mile
Closest lead: Village at Novato (0.38 mi W, 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:
- 9,278 sq ft (0.21 ac)
- Assessor use:
- Single-Resid. - Improved
- Addresses on lot:
- 681A CHERRY ST; 681 CHERRY ST
Zoning & Land Use
R4-6.0 — Medium Density Detatched Residenial (Novato)
State Housing Pathways Screen (ADU & SB 9)
- ADU or junior ADULikely eligible
Zoned R4-6.0 (single-family residential): state law allows ADUs where homes are allowed.
- SB 9: two homes on the lotCan't tell
Zoned R4-6.0 (single-family residential): we can't tell whether it counts as a single-family zone for SB 9. Medium Density Detached Residential.
- SB 9: split into two lotsCan't tell
Zoned R4-6.0 (single-family residential): we can't tell whether it counts as a single-family zone for SB 9. Medium Density Detached Residential.
Mapped Hazard Zones on This Lot
- CAL FIRE Fire Hazard Severity Zone
- Moderate 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 06041C0281E, 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: $935,000 – $1,265,000 · 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 November 2024)
0 active or recent development projects and 13 total building permits recorded within ½ mile.
- New construction1 permit
Developments Deserving Closer Investigation & Active Area Builders
- Village at Novato (Entitled)0.38 mi W
Active in "Entitled" for 2.8 yr (first record Jan 23, 2024) with no new permit activity recorded in 2.8 yr. High-impact scale (178 housing units, 25 deed-restricted affordable across 0 permits).
- Atherton Place (Entitled)0.4 mi W
Active in "Entitled" for 7.1 yr (first record Oct 6, 2019) with no new permit activity recorded in 7.1 yr. High-impact scale (50 housing units across 0 permits).
- Accessory Dwelling (Issued)370 ft SE
Active in "Issued" for 5.2 yr (first record Aug 26, 2021) with no new permit activity recorded in 5.2 yr.
- New home (Entitled)370 ft SE
Active in "Entitled" for 6 yr (first record Oct 26, 2020) with no new permit activity recorded in 6 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: 2 entries (report years 2021, 2022).