120 Garden Ave
San Rafael 94903 · Santa Venetia · Unincorporated Marin · Coordinates: 37.99721, -122.52348
Executive Verdict · Public-Records Synthesis
Zoned R1 in Unincorporated Marin with likely ADU & SB 9 infill eligibility and mapped CAL FIRE moderate fire hazard severity zone (state responsibility area) due diligence; benchmark value $1,293,000 ($1,138,000–$1,448,000).
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 12,153 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 (+$59,136 contributory est.)
Public building records show issued construction/renovation work on this parcel (12 total permits, latest May 3, 2023).
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 Moderate 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
Remodel / interior alteration (88986): Pending in review for 5.1 yr (22.6× 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 commercial building at 170 N San Pedro Rd (0.15 mi N, 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:
- 12,153 sq ft (0.28 ac)
- Assessor use:
- Single-Resid. - Improved
- Addresses on lot:
- 120 GARDEN AVE
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 12,153 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
- Moderate Fire Hazard Severity Zone (State Responsibility Area) (all of the lot, map Apr 1, 2024)
- FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer
- Zone X: minimal flood hazard (all of the lot) · FIRM panel 06041C0457E, 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: $1,138,000 – $1,448,000 · 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 (88986) (Applied)On this parcel
Pending in review for 5.1 yr (22.6× the 83d median) — slower than 90% of remodel / interior alteration permits in Unincorporated Marin (median 83d, 90th pct 266d, n=1,054).
- Windows / doors / siding (157454) (Issued)On this parcel
Issued after 4 mo — slower than 90% of windows / doors / siding permits in Unincorporated Marin (median 0d, 90th pct 5d, n=1,477).
- New commercial building at 170 N San Pedro Rd (Issued)0.15 mi N
Active in "Issued" for 5 yr (first record Dec 1, 2021) with no new permit activity recorded in 4.4 yr. High-impact scale ($18,000,000 declared valuation across 1 permit).
- New home at 8 Edgehill Wy (Applied)0.12 mi S
In "Applied" for 10.8 yr (since Feb 4, 2016), 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, 30 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); Owner (2 on parcel, 14 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); American Vision Winodws (2 on parcel, 2 in ½ mi · Windows / doors / siding); Design Build Specialists (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); Merciari (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration).
Permit & Project History on This Parcel (12 permits, 0 grouped projects)
| Record # | Category | Status | Applied / Issued | Valuation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 173950 | Remodel / interior alteration | Issued | Iss. May 3, 2023 | $50,000 | Kitchen Remodel; Minor Electrical - Express |
| 88986 | Remodel / interior alteration | Applied | App. Sep 27, 2021 | $75,000 | Kitchen Remodel W/ Struc Window *Waiting For Plans To Verify Scope* |
| 167816 | Remodel / interior alteration | Issued | Iss. Apr 16, 2021 | $65,000 | Master & Guest Bath Remodel |
| B20490 | HVAC / heat pump | Issued | Iss. Dec 2, 2019 | $4,990 | Installation of a Gas Insert and ducting. — New Gas Service; New Ductwork, Mechanical Appliance |
| B20325 | Plumbing / water heater / sewer | Issued | Iss. Nov 12, 2019 |