836 Flaxberry Ln
San Rafael 94903 · Marinwood · Unincorporated Marin · Coordinates: 38.02704, -122.56118
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 $1,286,000 ($1,132,000–$1,440,000).
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 8,146 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
- ✓ 2 documented municipal building permits on file
On-parcel permit history is indexed through Oct 27, 2021, 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
- ! 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)
- ! Delayed or open permit activity on this parcel
Electrical / panel (169757): Issued after 2 mo — slower than 90% of electrical / panel permits in Unincorporated Marin (median 0d, 90th pct 2d, n=3,020).
Source: County of Marin Community Development Agency, Building Permits (unincorporated Marin) (review-time benchmark)
- ! 5 slow or stalled nearby projects within ½ mile
Closest lead: Accessory dwelling unit at 598 Loganberry Dr (adu 598a) (0.47 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)
Parcel & Assessor
- Lot size:
- 8,146 sq ft (0.19 ac)
- Assessor use:
- Single-Resid. - Improved
- Addresses on lot:
- 836 FLAXBERRY 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 8,146 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: $1,132,000 – $1,440,000 · 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 150 total building permits recorded within ½ mile.
- New construction1 permit
- Adds housing (ADU)2 permits (2 units)
- Demolition1 permit
- Additions & renovations13 permits
- Building systems115 permits
- Repairs1 permit
- Other17 permits
Developments Deserving Closer Investigation & Active Area Builders
- Electrical / panel (169757) (Issued)On this parcel
Issued after 2 mo — slower than 90% of electrical / panel permits in Unincorporated Marin (median 0d, 90th pct 2d, n=3,020).
- Accessory dwelling unit at 598 Loganberry Dr (adu 598a) (Issued)0.47 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)0.1 mi N
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)0.35 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).
Entity-resolved builders & contractors in ½ mile: Owner Builder (1 on parcel, 25 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); Acco Electric (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Electrical / panel); Tim Lawlor Construction (6 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); Owner (5 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); Loic Humbert (4 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration).
Permit & Project History on This Parcel (2 permits, 0 grouped projects)
| Record # | Category | Status | Applied / Issued | Valuation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 169757 | Electrical / panel | Issued | Iss. Oct 27, 2021 | $2,000 | Add Electricity To Shed/Playhouse Under 120sqft |
| B15662 | Electrical / panel | Issued | Iss. Aug 9, 2018 | $3,000 | Replace 100AMP main panel with a 200AMP main panel. — Service Upgrade |