537 A Atherton Ave
Novato 94945 · Green Point · Unincorporated Marin · Coordinates: 38.11312, -122.53980
Executive Verdict · Public-Records Synthesis
Zoned ARP-2 in Unincorporated Marin and mapped FEMA AE flood / CAL FIRE moderate fire hazard severity zone (state responsibility area) due diligence; benchmark value $1,475,000 ($1,298,000–$1,652,000).
Upsides & Opportunities
- ✓ Documented permitted upgrades (+$138,202 contributory est.)
Public building records show issued construction/renovation work on this parcel (5 total permits, latest Jun 27, 2019).
Source: County of Marin Community Development Agency, Building Permits (unincorporated Marin) (parcel APN)
Watchouts & Due Diligence
- ! FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area (AE, about 11% of the lot of lot)
Zone AE: 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)
- ! CAL FIRE Moderate 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)
- ! Delayed or open permit activity on this parcel
Other (152282): Issued after 12 mo — slower than 90% of other permits in Unincorporated Marin (median 0d, 90th pct 71d, n=1,560).
Source: County of Marin Community Development Agency, Building Permits (unincorporated Marin) (review-time benchmark)
- ! 2 slow or stalled nearby projects within ½ mile
Closest lead: New home at 569 Atherton Ave (0.18 mi SW, applied). 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:
- 43,212 sq ft (0.99 ac)
- Assessor use:
- Single-Resid. - Improved
- Addresses on lot:
- 537A ATHERTON AVE; 537 ATHERTON AVE
Zoning & Land Use
ARP-2 — Agriculture Residential Planned (Unincorporated Marin)
Undesignated — Undesignated (Novato)
State Housing Pathways Screen (ADU & SB 9)
- ADU or junior ADUCan't tell
Zoned ARP-2 (agricultural): ADUs are allowed if the zone allows a home, which depends on the zone's rules. The parcel point also falls in Undesignated.
- SB 9: two homes on the lotUnlikely
Zoned ARP-2 (agricultural), not a single-family residential zone. The parcel point also falls in Undesignated.
- SB 9: split into two lotsUnlikely
Zoned ARP-2 (agricultural), not a single-family residential zone. The parcel point also falls in Undesignated.
Mapped Hazard Zones on This Lot
- CAL FIRE Fire Hazard Severity Zone
- Moderate Fire Hazard Severity Zone (State Responsibility Area) (all of the lot, map Apr 1, 2024)
- FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer
- Zone AE: 1% annual chance flood (Special Flood Hazard Area) (about 11% of the lot); Zone X: minimal flood hazard (about 89% 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: $1,298,000 – $1,652,000 · 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
Developments Deserving Closer Investigation & Active Area Builders
- Other (152282) (Issued)On this parcel
Issued after 12 mo — slower than 90% of other permits in Unincorporated Marin (median 0d, 90th pct 71d, n=1,560).
- New home at 569 Atherton Ave (Applied)0.18 mi SW
In "Applied" for 9.9 yr (since Dec 20, 2016), exceeding the 253d median and 686d 90th percentile for new single-family home permits in Unincorporated Marin (n=121).
- Accessory dwelling unit (new or conversion) (161929) (Issued)On this parcel
Issued after 16 mo (2.3× the 204d median) — above the 75th percentile for accessory dwelling unit (new or conversion) permits in Unincorporated Marin (median 204d, 75th pct 331d, n=298).
- New garage / accessory structure (161928) (Issued)On this parcel
Issued after 16 mo (2.9× the 164d median) — above the 75th percentile for new garage / accessory structure permits in Unincorporated Marin (median 164d, 75th pct 294d, n=356).
Entity-resolved builders & contractors in ½ mile: Owner (2 on parcel, 6 in ½ mi · New garage / accessory structure); Hoffman Electric (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Electrical / panel); Owner Builder (12 in ½ mi · New garage / accessory structure); Pacific Pools (3 in ½ mi · Pool / spa); Stephen Spicer (2 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration).
Permit & Project History on This Parcel (5 permits, 1 grouped projects)
| Record # | Category | Status | Applied / Issued | Valuation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 161929 | Accessory dwelling unit (new or conversion) | Issued | Iss. Jun 27, 2019 | $30,000 | Legalize A D Unit & Covered Porch B W O P***Ext To 11/7/19 Adu Refund For Fee Waiver Prepared 12/31/2019 Bc T.D. 3/22/18 |
| 161928 | New garage / accessory structure | Issued | Iss. Jun 27, 2019 | $2,000 | Conv Det Office Back To Storage B W O P***Extended To 11/7/19 T.D. 3/22/18 |
| 152283 | New garage / accessory structure | Issued | Iss. Jun 9, 2016 | $10,000 | Convert 2nd Unit Bwop Back To Workshop - Bwop***Expired T.D. 8/11/15 |
| 152282 | Other | Issued | Iss. Jun 9, 2016 |