1844 Indian Valley Rd
Novato 94947 · Indian Valley · Unincorporated Marin · Coordinates: 38.09288, -122.59408
Executive Verdict · Public-Records Synthesis
Zoned A2-B4 in Unincorporated Marin and mapped CAL FIRE moderate fire hazard severity zone (state responsibility area) due diligence; benchmark value $1,285,000 ($1,131,000–$1,439,000).
Upsides & Opportunities
- ✓ Documented permitted upgrades (+$15,120 contributory est.)
Public building records show issued construction/renovation work on this parcel (4 total permits, latest Sep 21, 2026).
Source: County of Marin Community Development Agency, Building Permits (unincorporated Marin) (parcel APN)
Watchouts & Due Diligence
- ! Mapped flood awareness zone (Zone X: minimal flood hazard)
about 7% 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 (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)
- ! 6 slow or stalled nearby projects within ½ mile
Closest lead: Accessory dwelling unit at 0 Indian Valley Rd (0.19 mi S, 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)
- ! Year 1 Prop 13 tax reset (~$15,228/yr at $1,285,000)
Sale triggers reassessment to 1.00% base + ~0.15% voter debt (~$1,269/mo). Confirm exact Mello-Roos / CFD special assessments on the county tax bill.
Source: CA Const. Art. XIIIA (Prop 13) · County Tax Collector
Parcel & Assessor
- Lot size:
- 94,830 sq ft (2.18 ac)
- Assessor use:
- Single-Resid. - Improved
- Addresses on lot:
- 1844 INDIAN VALLEY RD
Zoning & Land Use
A2-B4 — Agriculture Limited (Unincorporated Marin)
Undesignated — Undesignated (Novato)
State Housing Pathways Screen (ADU & SB 9)
- ADU or junior ADUCan't tell
Zoned A2-B4 (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 A2-B4 (agricultural), not a single-family residential zone. The parcel point also falls in Undesignated.
- SB 9: split into two lotsUnlikely
Zoned A2-B4 (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 X: minimal flood hazard (about 7% of the lot); Zone X: minimal flood hazard (about 93% of the lot) · FIRM panel 06041C0278D, effective May 4, 2009
- CGS Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zone
- Not in an Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zone
Surrounding Rent & Value Benchmarks (Public Records)
Range: $1,131,000 – $1,439,000 · Status: Off market
HUD Small Area FMR (ZIP 94947) · FY 2026
Studio $2,250 · 1BR $2,690 · 2BR $3,260 · 3BR $4,160 · 4BR $4,320
Developments Deserving Closer Investigation & Active Area Builders
- Accessory dwelling unit at 0 Indian Valley Rd (Applied)0.19 mi S
In "Applied" for 22 mo (since Jan 23, 2025), exceeding the 253d median and 456d 75th percentile for new single-family home permits in Unincorporated Marin (n=121). High-impact scale (1 housing unit, $950,000 declared valuation across 1 permit).
- New home at 419 Bloom Ln (Issued)0.21 mi SW
Active in "Issued" for 10.6 yr (first record Mar 31, 2016) with no new permit activity recorded in 7.8 yr.
- New home at 1783 Indian Valley Rd (Issued)0.23 mi S
Active in "Issued" for 11.8 yr (first record Jan 14, 2015) with no new permit activity recorded in 11.4 yr.
- New home (Issued)0.28 mi NE
Active in "Issued" for 3.3 yr (first record Jul 24, 2023) with no new permit activity recorded in 3.3 yr.
Entity-resolved builders & contractors in ½ mile: Aleona Reyes (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Solar / battery storage); Aaero Heating And Sheet Metal (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · HVAC / heat pump); Capstone Roofing (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Roof replacement); Mike Testa Plumbing (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Plumbing / water heater / sewer); Owner Builder (14 in ½ mi · New garage / accessory structure).
Permit & Project History on This Parcel (4 permits, 0 grouped projects)
| Record # | Category | Status | Applied / Issued | Valuation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B48419 | Plumbing / water heater / sewer | Issued | Iss. Sep 21, 2026 | $4,169 | Replace Plumbing Fixtures(s) |
| B28970 | HVAC / heat pump | Issued | Iss. Mar 4, 2022 | $21,832 | Remove and replace (2) Furnace Bryant Model# 926TB48080V17 & 926TB36060V14 with programmable thermostat, gas, flue, duct… |
| B28277 | Solar / battery storage | Issued | Iss. Jan 13, 2022 | $64,168 | Installation of 30 panels (11.4KW) on roof for PV system with battery and MPU |
| 147704 | Roof replacement | Issued | Iss. Jun 24, 2015 | $17,235 | Tear-Off & Re-Roof |