400 Upper Rd
San Rafael 94903 · Santa Venetia · Unincorporated Marin · Coordinates: 38.01434, -122.50679
Executive Verdict · Public-Records Synthesis
Zoned A2-B2 in Unincorporated Marin and mapped CAL FIRE moderate fire hazard severity zone (local responsibility area) due diligence; benchmark value $1,301,000 ($1,145,000–$1,457,000).
Upsides & Opportunities
- ✓ 2 documented municipal building permits on file
On-parcel permit history is indexed through Jan 28, 2019, 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
- ! 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 (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 35 Pt Gallinas Rd (240 ft NW, 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 (~$15,412/yr at $1,301,000)
Sale triggers reassessment to 1.00% base + ~0.15% voter debt (~$1,284/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:
- 49,223 sq ft (1.13 ac)
- Assessor use:
- Single-Resid. - Improved
- Addresses on lot:
- 400 UPPER RD
Zoning & Land Use
A2-B2 — Agriculture Limited (Unincorporated Marin)
State Housing Pathways Screen (ADU & SB 9)
- ADU or junior ADUCan't tell
Zoned A2-B2 (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-B2 (agricultural), not a single-family residential zone.
- SB 9: split into two lotsUnlikely
Zoned A2-B2 (agricultural), not a single-family residential zone.
Mapped Hazard Zones on This Lot
- CAL FIRE Fire Hazard Severity Zone
- Moderate 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 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: $1,145,000 – $1,457,000 · 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 35 Pt Gallinas Rd (Issued)240 ft NW
Active in "Issued" for 9.5 yr (first record May 24, 2017) with no new permit activity recorded in 9.3 yr. High-impact scale (1 housing unit, $2,367,450 declared valuation across 1 permit).
- Demolition at 1145 Adrian Way (Applied)0.23 mi W
In "Applied" for 4.9 yr (since Dec 2, 2021), exceeding the 55d median and 261d 90th percentile for demolition permits in Unincorporated Marin (n=130).
- Accessory dwelling unit at 27 Sunny Oaks Dr (aka 29) (Applied)0.31 mi S
In "Applied" for 3.5 yr (since May 2, 2023), exceeding the 253d median and 686d 90th percentile for new single-family home permits in Unincorporated Marin (n=121).
- Accessory dwelling unit at 835 Rosal Way (Applied)0.37 mi NW
In "Applied" for 2.2 yr (since Sep 11, 2024), 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, 12 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); Hug Plumbing Heating And Cooling (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · HVAC / heat pump); Owner (7 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); Lsr Maintenancellc (5 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); Gustavo Brooks Construction (4 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration).
Permit & Project History on This Parcel (2 permits, 0 grouped projects)
| Record # | Category | Status | Applied / Issued | Valuation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B16933 | HVAC / heat pump | Issued | Iss. Jan 28, 2019 | $3,000 | Change out furnace — Replace Mechanical Appliance |
| 160350 | Windows / doors / siding | Issued | Iss. Dec 17, 2018 | $1,000 | Add Window -Bwop |