4 A Richardson Way
Novato 94945 · Novato · Coordinates: 38.10415, -122.54061
Executive Verdict · Public-Records Synthesis
Zoned RR-80 in Novato with likely ministerial ADU eligibility and mapped FEMA AE flood / CAL FIRE moderate fire hazard severity zone (local responsibility area) due diligence; benchmark value $1,063,000 ($904,000–$1,222,000).
Upsides & Opportunities
- ✓ Ministerial ADU / JADU pathway likely eligible
Zone RR-80 allows residential use qualifying for ministerial ADU review under state law.
Source: Novato zoning · CA Gov. Code 66314
Watchouts & Due Diligence
- ! FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area (AE, about 66% 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 (Local Responsibility Area) (about 19% 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)
- ! 4 slow or stalled nearby projects within ½ mile
Closest lead: Martinez TM (0.13 mi SE, 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:
- 139,653 sq ft (3.21 ac)
- Assessor use:
- Single-Resid. - Improved
- Addresses on lot:
- 4A RICHARDSON WAY; 4 RICHARDSON WAY
Zoning & Land Use
RR-80 — Rural Residential (Novato)
State Housing Pathways Screen (ADU & SB 9)
- ADU or junior ADULikely eligible
Zoned RR-80 (single-family residential): state law allows ADUs where homes are allowed.
- SB 9: two homes on the lotCan't tell
Zoned RR-80 (single-family residential): we can't tell whether it counts as a single-family zone for SB 9. Very low density and rural residential: large-lot; confirm SB 9 with the city.
- SB 9: split into two lotsCan't tell
Zoned RR-80 (single-family residential): we can't tell whether it counts as a single-family zone for SB 9. Very low density and rural residential: large-lot; confirm SB 9 with the city.
Mapped Hazard Zones on This Lot
- CAL FIRE Fire Hazard Severity Zone
- Moderate Fire Hazard Severity Zone (Local Responsibility Area) (about 19% of the lot, map Mar 24, 2025)
- FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer
- Zone AE: 1% annual chance flood (Special Flood Hazard Area) (about 66% of the lot); Zone X: minimal flood hazard (about 33% of the lot); Zone X: minimal flood hazard (about 1% 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 November 2024)
0 active or recent development projects and 6 total building permits recorded within ½ mile.
- Additions & renovations1 permit
Developments Deserving Closer Investigation & Active Area Builders
- Martinez TM (Entitled)0.13 mi SE
Active in "Entitled" for 2.8 yr (first record Jan 18, 2024) with no new permit activity recorded in 2.8 yr.
- Detached ADU (Issued)0.13 mi W
Active in "Issued" for 5 yr (first record Dec 1, 2021) with no new permit activity recorded in 4.1 yr.
- New home (Issued)0.24 mi W
Active in "Issued" for 8.8 yr (first record Jan 10, 2018) with no new permit activity recorded in 8.8 yr.
- New home (Issued)0.24 mi W
Active in "Issued" for 8.8 yr (first record Jan 10, 2018) with no new permit activity recorded in 8.8 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 2024, 2025).