450 Atherton Ave
Novato 94945 · Green Point · Unincorporated Marin · Coordinates: 38.11124, -122.53282
Executive Verdict · Public-Records Synthesis
Zoned ARP-1.5 in Unincorporated Marin and mapped FEMA AE flood / CAL FIRE moderate fire hazard severity zone (state responsibility area) due diligence; benchmark value $1,200,000 ($1,056,000–$1,344,000).
Upsides & Opportunities
- ✓ 9 documented municipal building permits on file
On-parcel permit history is indexed through Mar 28, 2024, letting you verify roof, HVAC, electrical, or structural work against seller disclosures.
Source: County of Marin Community Development Agency, Building Permits (unincorporated Marin) (parcel APN)
Watchouts & Due Diligence
- ! FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area (AE, about 16% 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
New commercial building at 450 Atherton Ave: Active in "Applied" for 7.3 yr (first record Jul 10, 2019) with no new permit activity recorded in 6.9 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: Mixed-use development at 435 School Rd (0.28 mi E, 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:
- 128,328 sq ft (2.95 ac)
- Assessor use:
- Tax Exempt
- Addresses on lot:
- 450 ATHERTON AVE
Zoning & Land Use
ARP-1.5 — Agriculture Residential Planned (Unincorporated Marin)
Undesignated — Undesignated (Novato)
State Housing Pathways Screen (ADU & SB 9)
- ADU or junior ADUCan't tell
Zoned ARP-1.5 (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-1.5 (agricultural), not a single-family residential zone. The parcel point also falls in Undesignated.
- SB 9: split into two lotsUnlikely
Zoned ARP-1.5 (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 16% of the lot); Zone X: 0.2% annual chance flood hazard (shaded X) (about 70% of the lot); Zone X: minimal flood hazard (about 14% 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: $1,056,000 – $1,344,000 · 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
- New commercial building at 450 Atherton Ave (Applied)On this parcel
Active in "Applied" for 7.3 yr (first record Jul 10, 2019) with no new permit activity recorded in 6.9 yr.
- Electrical / panel (172791) (Issued)On this parcel
Issued after 5 mo — slower than 90% of electrical / panel permits in Unincorporated Marin (median 0d, 90th pct 2d, n=3,019).
- Mixed-use development at 435 School Rd (Applied)0.28 mi E
In "Applied" for 5.6 yr (since Mar 26, 2021), exceeding the 253d median and 686d 90th percentile for new single-family home permits in Unincorporated Marin (n=121).
- New home at 50 H Ln (Issued)0.16 mi NW
Active in "Issued" for 12 yr (first record Nov 18, 2014) with no new permit activity recorded in 7.5 yr.
Entity-resolved builders & contractors in ½ mile: Owner (1 on parcel, 6 in ½ mi · New garage / accessory structure); J And A Plumbing And Rooter Service (2 on parcel, 2 in ½ mi · Plumbing / water heater / sewer); Jones Garage Door (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Electrical / panel); Fowler Electric Services (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Plumbing / water heater / sewer); Marin H20 (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Plumbing / water heater / sewer).
Permit & Project History on This Parcel (9 permits, 1 grouped projects)
| Record # | Category | Status | Applied / Issued | Valuation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B37490 | Plumbing / water heater / sewer | Issued | Iss. Mar 28, 2024 | $19,000 | Replace 80 gallon water heater with identical unit in same location. — Replace Plumbing Fixtures(s) |
| 173052 | Plumbing / water heater / sewer | Issued | Iss. Dec 22, 2022 | $61,000 | Replace [E] Generator W [N] Same-Size Model At Novato Fire Station #62 |
| 172791 | Electrical / panel | Issued | Iss. Nov 21, 2022 | $74,135 | Replace (E) Slide Gate W/ Automated Cantilever Gate |
| B23133 | Plumbing / water heater / sewer | Issued | Iss. Jul 30, 2020 | $4,165 |