56 Circle Rd
San Rafael 94903 · Los Ranchitos · Unincorporated Marin · Coordinates: 37.99072, -122.54121
Executive Verdict · Public-Records Synthesis
Zoned A2-B4 in Unincorporated Marin and mapped CAL FIRE high fire hazard severity zone (local responsibility area) due diligence; benchmark value $1,581,000 ($1,391,000–$1,771,000).
Upsides & Opportunities
- ✓ Documented permitted upgrades (+$15,200 contributory est.)
Public building records show issued construction/renovation work on this parcel (5 total permits, latest Dec 4, 2025).
Source: County of Marin Community Development Agency, Building Permits (unincorporated Marin) (parcel APN)
- ✓ Above-average reinvestment in Los Ranchitos
8 substantial renovation & housing permits over 24 months (45.7 per 1,000 parcels vs. 16.3 citywide baseline) (#17 of 22 neighborhoods).
Source: County of Marin Community Development Agency, Building Permits (unincorporated Marin) (Los Ranchitos)
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: New home at 32 Ranch Rd (0.16 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)
- ! Year 1 Prop 13 tax reset (~$18,632/yr at $1,581,000)
Sale triggers reassessment to 1.00% base + ~0.15% voter debt (~$1,553/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:
- 45,215 sq ft (1.04 ac)
- Assessor use:
- Single-Resid. - Improved
- Addresses on lot:
- 56 CIRCLE RD
Zoning & Land Use
A2-B4 — Agriculture Limited (Unincorporated Marin)
State Housing Pathways Screen (ADU & SB 9)
- ADU or junior ADUCan't tell
Zoned A2-B4 (agricultural): ADUs are allowed if the zone allows a home, which depends on the zone's rules.
- SB 9: two homes on the lotUnlikely
Zoned A2-B4 (agricultural), not a single-family residential zone.
- SB 9: split into two lotsUnlikely
Zoned A2-B4 (agricultural), not a single-family residential zone.
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 06041C0456F, 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: $1,391,000 – $1,771,000 · 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
Developments Deserving Closer Investigation & Active Area Builders
- New home at 32 Ranch Rd (Issued)0.16 mi E
Active in "Issued" for 10.4 yr (first record Jun 27, 2016) with no new permit activity recorded in 10 yr. High-impact scale (1 housing unit, $903,650 declared valuation across 1 permit).
- New home at 160 Cir Rd (Applied)0.22 mi N
In "Applied" for 4.7 yr (since Feb 28, 2022), exceeding the 253d median and 686d 90th percentile for new single-family home permits in Unincorporated Marin (n=121).
- Accessory dwelling unit at 200 Valley View Ave (Applied)0.28 mi SE
In "Applied" for 4 yr (since Nov 16, 2022), exceeding the 253d median and 686d 90th percentile for new single-family home permits in Unincorporated Marin (n=121).
- New home (Entitled)0.42 mi N
In "Entitled" for 7.6 yr (since Apr 24, 2019), 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 (2 on parcel, 7 in ½ mi · Demolition); Lifestyle Fiberglass Pools (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Pool / spa); Quattro Solar (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Solar / battery storage); Dickson (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · HVAC / heat pump); Owner Builder (20 in ½ mi · New garage / accessory structure).
Permit & Project History on This Parcel (5 permits, 0 grouped projects)
| Record # | Category | Status | Applied / Issued | Valuation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B45023 | HVAC / heat pump | Issued | Iss. Dec 4, 2025 | $11,800 | REPLACE EXISTING FURNACE SAME LOCATION — Replace Mechanical Appliance |
| B35855 | Plumbing / water heater / sewer | Issued | Iss. Oct 21, 2023 | $500 | 1 Copper water line to replace existing old, galvanized line due to leaks. — Replace Plumbing Fixtures(s) |
| 166006 | Pool / spa | Issued | Iss. Oct 16, 2020 | $35,000 | (N) Pool W/Auto Cover T.D. 10-5-20 |
| 146982 | Solar / battery storage | Issued | Iss. May 6, 2015 | $22,000 | Roof Mounted Photovoltaic-Express |
| 146233 | Electrical / panel | Issued | Iss. Mar 16, 2015 |