581 Fernando Dr
Novato 94945 · Novato · Coordinates: 38.10123, -122.55789
Executive Verdict · Public-Records Synthesis
Zoned R4-6.0 in Novato with likely ministerial ADU eligibility and zero mapped flood, fire, or fault hazard overlaps; benchmark value $1,063,000 ($904,000–$1,222,000).
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)
- ! 6 slow or stalled nearby projects within ½ mile
Closest lead: Landing Court Apartments (0.45 mi SW, 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)
- ! Year 1 Prop 13 tax reset (~$12,675/yr at $1,063,000)
Sale triggers reassessment to 1.00% base + ~0.15% voter debt (~$1,056/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:
- 5,968 sq ft (0.14 ac)
- Assessor use:
- Single-Resid. - Improved
- Addresses on lot:
- 581 FERNANDO DR
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
- Not in a State-mapped fire hazard severity zone
- 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: $904,000 – $1,222,000 · 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
- Landing Court Apartments (Entitled)0.45 mi SW
Active in "Entitled" for 2 yr (first record Oct 28, 2024) with no new permit activity recorded in 2 yr. High-impact scale (301 housing units, 298 deed-restricted affordable across 0 permits).
- Fallah Residence (Entitled)0.19 mi NW
Active in "Entitled" for 22 mo (first record Jan 24, 2025) with no new permit activity recorded in 22 mo.
- Davis SB 9 Units (Entitled)0.38 mi W
Active in "Entitled" for 23 mo (first record Dec 3, 2024) with no new permit activity recorded in 23 mo.
- New home (Issued)0.42 mi W
Active in "Issued" for 7.1 yr (first record Sep 30, 2019) with no new permit activity recorded in 7.1 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: 3 entries (report years 2023, 2024, 2025).