259 Castro St
Forest Knolls 94933 · Lagunitas · Unincorporated Marin · Coordinates: 38.01466, -122.69395
Executive Verdict · Public-Records Synthesis
Zoned R1-B3-SGV in Unincorporated Marin with likely ministerial ADU eligibility and mapped FEMA A flood / CAL FIRE high fire hazard severity zone (state responsibility area) due diligence; benchmark value $988,000 ($869,000–$1,107,000).
Upsides & Opportunities
- ✓ Ministerial ADU / JADU pathway likely eligible
Zone R1-B3-SGV allows residential use qualifying for ministerial ADU review under state law (1 ADU permit permitted within ¼ mile in 36 months).
Source: Unincorporated Marin zoning · CA Gov. Code 66314
- ✓ 3 documented municipal building permits on file
On-parcel permit history is indexed through Oct 28, 2026, 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
- ! FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area (A, about 69% of the lot of lot)
Zone A: 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 High 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)
- ! Delayed or open permit activity on this parcel
Demolition (91232): Pending in review for 3.4 yr (22.6× the 55d median) — slower than 90% of demolition permits in Unincorporated Marin (median 55d, 90th pct 261d, n=130).
Source: County of Marin Community Development Agency, Building Permits (unincorporated Marin) (review-time benchmark)
- ! 4 slow or stalled nearby projects within ½ mile
Closest lead: Accessory dwelling unit at 8 Morelos Ave (0.13 mi E, 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:
- 36,329 sq ft (0.83 ac)
- Assessor use:
- Exemption - Improved
- Addresses on lot:
- 259 CASTRO ST
Zoning & Land Use
R1-B3-SGV — Residential Single Family (Unincorporated Marin)
State Housing Pathways Screen (ADU & SB 9)
- ADU or junior ADULikely eligible
Zoned R1-B3-SGV (single-family residential): state law allows ADUs where homes are allowed.
- SB 9: two homes on the lotPossible, with conditions
Zoned R1-B3-SGV, a single-family residential zone. FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area (Zone A) covers about 69% of the lot: the project must meet the National Flood Insurance Program floodplain standards, or the lot needs a map revision.
- SB 9: split into two lotsPossible, with conditions
Zoned R1-B3-SGV, a single-family residential zone. The lot is 36,329 sq ft by the assessor, room for two lots of at least 1,200 sq ft, each at least 40% of the original. FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area (Zone A) covers about 69% of the lot: the project must meet the National Flood Insurance Program floodplain standards, or the lot needs a map revision.
Mapped Hazard Zones on This Lot
- CAL FIRE Fire Hazard Severity Zone
- High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (State Responsibility Area) (all of the lot, map Apr 1, 2024)
- FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer
- Zone A: 1% annual chance flood (Special Flood Hazard Area) (about 69% of the lot); Zone X: minimal flood hazard (about 31% of the lot) · FIRM panel 06041C0275D, 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: $869,000 – $1,107,000 · Status: Off market
HUD Small Area FMR (ZIP 94933) · FY 2026
Studio $2,870 · 1BR $3,440 · 2BR $4,160 · 3BR $5,310 · 4BR $5,510
Developments Deserving Closer Investigation & Active Area Builders
- Demolition (91232) (Applied)On this parcel
Pending in review for 3.4 yr (22.6× the 55d median) — slower than 90% of demolition permits in Unincorporated Marin (median 55d, 90th pct 261d, n=130).
- Demolition (89890) (Applied)On this parcel
Pending in review for 4.5 yr (29.8× the 55d median) — slower than 90% of demolition permits in Unincorporated Marin (median 55d, 90th pct 261d, n=130).
- Accessory dwelling unit at 8 Morelos Ave (Issued)0.13 mi E
Active in "Issued" for 6.1 yr (first record Oct 8, 2020) with no new permit activity recorded in 6.1 yr.
- New home at 42 Arroyo Rd (Issued)0.13 mi NE
Active in "Issued" for 12.3 yr (first record Aug 11, 2014) with no new permit activity recorded in 11.8 yr.
Entity-resolved builders & contractors in ½ mile: Second Generation Roofing (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Roof replacement); Owner Builder (10 in ½ mi · Accessory dwelling unit (new or conversion)); Owner (10 in ½ mi · Accessory dwelling unit (new or conversion)); Zia Designs (2 in ½ mi · Demolition); Rebuilding Together East Bay Network (1 in ½ mi · Accessory dwelling unit (new or conversion)).
Permit & Project History on This Parcel (3 permits, 0 grouped projects)
| Record # | Category | Status | Applied / Issued | Valuation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B48919 | Roof replacement | Issued | Iss. Oct 28, 2026 | $22,500 | ReRoofing |
| 91232 | Demolition | Applied | App. Jun 16, 2023 | — | Demo Garage - B W O P |
| 89890 | Demolition | Applied | App. May 16, 2022 | $30,000 | Demo Garage |