2185 Elderberry Ln
San Rafael 94903 · Marinwood · Unincorporated Marin · Coordinates: 38.02786, -122.56033
Executive Verdict · Public-Records Synthesis
Zoned R1 in Unincorporated Marin with likely ADU & SB 9 infill eligibility and mapped CAL FIRE high fire hazard severity zone (local responsibility area) due diligence; benchmark value $1,308,000 ($1,151,000–$1,465,000).
Upsides & Opportunities
- ✓ ADU & SB 9 infill pathways screen as likely eligible
Zoned R1 supports ministerial ADU/JADU review plus SB 9 both two-unit development and ministerial urban lot split on a 9,278 sq ft lot. Local precedent is active with 2 ADU permits within ¼ mile over the last 36 months.
Source: Unincorporated Marin zoning · CA Gov. Code 66314 & 65852.21
- ✓ Documented permitted upgrades (+$8,831 contributory est.)
Public building records show issued construction/renovation work on this parcel (5 total permits, latest Aug 3, 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)
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)
- ! CAL FIRE High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (Local 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 Mar 24, 2025)
- ! 6 slow or stalled nearby projects within ½ mile
Closest lead: Accessory dwelling unit at 598 Loganberry Dr (adu 598a) (0.4 mi NE, issued). 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 (~$15,492/yr at $1,308,000)
Sale triggers reassessment to 1.00% base + ~0.15% voter debt (~$1,291/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:
- 9,278 sq ft (0.21 ac)
- Assessor use:
- Single-Resid. - Improved
- Addresses on lot:
- 2185 ELDERBERRY LN
Zoning & Land Use
R1 — Residential Single Family (Unincorporated Marin)
State Housing Pathways Screen (ADU & SB 9)
- ADU or junior ADULikely eligible
Zoned R1 (single-family residential): state law allows ADUs where homes are allowed.
- SB 9: two homes on the lotLikely eligible
Zoned R1, a single-family residential zone.
- SB 9: split into two lotsLikely eligible
Zoned R1, a single-family residential zone. The lot is 9,278 sq ft by the assessor, room for two lots of at least 1,200 sq ft, each at least 40% of the original.
Mapped Hazard Zones on This Lot
- CAL FIRE Fire Hazard Severity Zone
- High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (Local Responsibility Area) (all of the lot, map Mar 24, 2025)
- FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer
- Zone X: minimal flood hazard (all of the lot) · FIRM panel 06041C0293E, 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: $1,151,000 – $1,465,000 · Status: Off market
HUD Small Area FMR (ZIP 94903) · FY 2026
Studio $2,880 · 1BR $3,450 · 2BR $4,180 · 3BR $5,340 · 4BR $5,530
Nearby Activity (½ mile radius, since November 2024)
3 active or recent development projects (3 housing units across completed, permitted, and pipeline stages) and 147 total building permits recorded within ½ mile.
- New construction1 permit
- Adds housing (ADU)2 permits (2 units)
- Demolition2 permits
- Additions & renovations13 permits
- Building systems109 permits
- Repairs1 permit
- Other19 permits
Developments Deserving Closer Investigation & Active Area Builders
- Accessory dwelling unit at 598 Loganberry Dr (adu 598a) (Issued)0.4 mi NE
Active in "Issued" for 2.2 yr (first record Sep 6, 2024) with no new permit activity recorded in 22 mo. High-impact scale (1 housing unit, $830,000 declared valuation across 1 permit).
- Accessory dwelling unit at 860 Idylberry Rd (Applied)380 ft NW
In "Applied" for 5.5 yr (since May 28, 2021), exceeding the 253d median and 686d 90th percentile for new single-family home permits in Unincorporated Marin (n=121).
- New home (Entitled)0.39 mi W
In "Entitled" for 2.9 yr (since Dec 7, 2023), exceeding the 253d median and 686d 90th percentile for new single-family home permits in Unincorporated Marin (n=121).
- New home (Entitled)0.39 mi W
In "Entitled" for 3.3 yr (since Jul 10, 2023), exceeding the 253d median and 686d 90th percentile for new single-family home permits in Unincorporated Marin (n=121).
Entity-resolved builders & contractors in ½ mile: Owner (1 on parcel, 6 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); Earthwise Energy Solutions (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Other); Wedge Roofing (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Roof replacement); Sonomarin Solar_inc (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Solar / battery storage); Elevated Comfort (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · HVAC / heat pump).
Permit & Project History on This Parcel (5 permits, 0 grouped projects)
| Record # | Category | Status | Applied / Issued | Valuation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B47725 | Other | Issued | Iss. Aug 3, 2026 | $25,975 | — |
| B34059 | Roof replacement | Issued | Iss. May 25, 2023 | $23,900 | ***T & G Roof Only*** Prepare existing surface to receive new roof. Apply ! SPF with Silicone Coating. — ReRoofing; With… |
| B33589 | Solar / battery storage | Issued | Iss. Apr 25, 2023 | $22,300 | Photovoltaic - Residential Tilt roof Mount, Grid Tied |
| B30267 | Electrical / panel | Issued | Iss. Jul 5, 2022 | $1,000 | Electrical Service Upgrade — Service Upgrade |
| B30008 | HVAC / heat pump | Issued | Iss. Jun 13, 2022 | $12,000 | INSTALLING (5) NEW DUCTLESS MINI SPLIT UNITS, SEER 14, AFUE 80% — Mechanical Appliance |