46 Ranch Rd
San Rafael 94903 · Los Ranchitos · Unincorporated Marin · Coordinates: 37.98898, -122.53975
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 $1,566,000 ($1,378,000–$1,754,000).
Upsides & Opportunities
- ✓ 11 documented municipal building permits on file
On-parcel permit history is indexed through Aug 22, 2025, 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)
- ✓ Above-average reinvestment in Los Ranchitos
8 substantial renovation & housing permits over 24 months (45.7 per 1,000 parcels vs. 16.4 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) (about 1% 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
Remodel / interior alteration (93445): Pending in review for 15 mo (5.5× the 83d median) — slower than 90% of remodel / interior alteration permits in Unincorporated Marin (median 83d, 90th pct 266d, n=1,054).
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: New home at 32 Ranch Rd (0.13 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:
- 49,223 sq ft (1.13 ac)
- Assessor use:
- Single-Resid. - Improved
- Addresses on lot:
- 46 RANCH 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) (about 1% of the lot, map Mar 24, 2025); Moderate Fire Hazard Severity Zone (Local Responsibility Area) (about 98% 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: $1,378,000 – $1,754,000 · 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
- Remodel / interior alteration (93445) (Applied)On this parcel
Pending in review for 15 mo (5.5× the 83d median) — slower than 90% of remodel / interior alteration permits in Unincorporated Marin (median 83d, 90th pct 266d, n=1,054).
- Electrical / panel (163014) (Issued)On this parcel
Issued after 2 mo — slower than 90% of electrical / panel permits in Unincorporated Marin (median 0d, 90th pct 2d, n=3,019).
- New home at 32 Ranch Rd (Issued)0.13 mi NE
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).
- Accessory dwelling unit at 200 Valley View Ave (Applied)0.13 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).
Entity-resolved builders & contractors in ½ mile: Ernest Ongaro And Sons (3 on parcel, 3 in ½ mi · Plumbing / water heater / sewer); James S Clough Enterprises (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Other); Knoles Construction (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Other); Pacific Polymers (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Roof replacement); Peter Levi Plumbing (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · HVAC / heat pump).
Permit & Project History on This Parcel (11 permits, 0 grouped projects)
| Record # | Category | Status | Applied / Issued | Valuation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B43586 | Other | Issued | Iss. Aug 22, 2025 | $25,000 | Remodel existing guest bathroom to powder room. |
| 93445 | Remodel / interior alteration | Applied | App. Aug 14, 2025 | $25,000 | Convert (E) Bthrm To Powder Rm |
| 177167 | Other | Issued | Iss. Jul 24, 2024 | $32,975 | Replace Guardrail At (E) Rear Deck |
| B30787 | HVAC / heat pump | Issued | Iss. Aug 19, 2022 | $9,600 | REPLACE AC AND FURNACE WITH NEW HEAT PUMP AND AIR HANDLER. SEER 18, HSPF 10 — Replace Mechanical Appliance |
| B28199 | HVAC / heat pump | Issued | Iss. Dec 29, 2021 | $21,250 |