40 Cushing Ave
San Rafael 94903 · Santa Venetia · Unincorporated Marin · Coordinates: 38.00390, -122.52333
Executive Verdict · Public-Records Synthesis
Zoned R1 in Unincorporated Marin with likely ADU & SB 9 infill eligibility and zero mapped flood, fire, or fault hazard overlaps; benchmark value $1,222,000 ($1,075,000–$1,369,000).
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 8,930 sq ft lot. Local precedent is active with 1 ADU permit within ¼ mile over the last 36 months.
Source: Unincorporated Marin zoning · CA Gov. Code 66314 & 65852.21
- ✓ Documented permitted upgrades (+$17,280 contributory est.)
Public building records show issued construction/renovation work on this parcel (4 total permits, latest Nov 6, 2025).
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)
- ! 6 slow or stalled nearby projects within ½ mile
Closest lead: New commercial building at 170 N San Pedro Rd (0.31 mi S, 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 (~$14,503/yr at $1,222,000)
Sale triggers reassessment to 1.00% base + ~0.15% voter debt (~$1,209/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:
- 8,930 sq ft (0.21 ac)
- Assessor use:
- Single-Resid. - Improved
- Addresses on lot:
- 40 CUSHING 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 8,930 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
- Not in a State-mapped fire hazard severity zone
- FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer
- Zone X: minimal flood hazard (all of the lot) · FIRM panel 06041C0294E, 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: $1,075,000 – $1,369,000 · 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)
7 active or recent development projects (5 housing units across completed, permitted, and pipeline stages) and 396 total building permits recorded within ½ mile.
- New construction3 permits (1 units)
- Adds housing (ADU)4 permits (4 units)
- Demolition3 permits
- Additions & renovations19 permits
- Building systems327 permits
- Repairs10 permits
- Other30 permits
Developments Deserving Closer Investigation & Active Area Builders
- New commercial building at 170 N San Pedro Rd (Issued)0.31 mi S
Active in "Issued" for 4.9 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 16 Crestview Way (Issued)0.43 mi NE
Active in "Issued" for 2.5 yr (first record May 20, 2024) with no new permit activity recorded in 15 mo. High-impact scale (1 housing unit, $770,000 declared valuation across 1 permit).
- Demolition at 13 Edward Ave (Applied)0.16 mi S
In "Applied" for 3.8 yr (since Jan 23, 2023), exceeding the 55d median and 261d 90th percentile for demolition permits in Unincorporated Marin (n=130).
- Accessory dwelling unit at 321 N San Pedro Rd (Applied)0.3 mi NE
In "Applied" for 5.8 yr (since Feb 9, 2021), 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: Pagan Construction (1 on parcel, 12 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); Sunrun Installation Services (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Solar / battery storage); Cowboys Roofing (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Roof replacement); Arb (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Plumbing / water heater / sewer); Owner Builder (39 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration).
Permit & Project History on This Parcel (4 permits, 0 grouped projects)
| Record # | Category | Status | Applied / Issued | Valuation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B44702 | Roof replacement | Issued | Iss. Nov 6, 2025 | $13,140 | • Remove and dispose of ONE LAYER of existing roof system to sheathing/deck • Install one layer of synthetic felt underl… |
| B44522 | Solar / battery storage | Issued | Iss. Oct 24, 2025 | $50,000 | PV INSTALL 18.6KW, 46 MODULES, 2 ESS |
| B12192 | Plumbing / water heater / sewer | Issued | Iss. Apr 6, 2017 | $1,500 | ARB to extend gas house line plumbing approximately 10' to new meter location per PG&E — New Gas Service |
| 148888 | Remodel / interior alteration | Issued | Iss. Sep 9, 2015 | $80,000 | Rmdl Kit, Baths , Window Replacement, Shear Plywood To Garage Living Space Separation Wall - Express |