Marin County Details Long-Term Housing Plan and Funding Strategy

This article takes a look at Marin County’s ongoing push to meet its 2023–2031 Housing Element goals. We’ll dig into the number of homes in the pipeline, the status of permits and ADUs, and the projects shaping housing in unincorporated Marin and towns like San Rafael, Novato, Larkspur, Mill Valley, Sausalito, and Strawberry.

With a mandate to plan 3,569 housing units in unincorporated areas—including 1,100 very-low-income and 634 low-income units—Marin faces a high-stakes balancing act. The county tries to maintain community character while answering the region’s growing housing demand.

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Table of Contents

Progress toward the Housing Element goals

Marin County says it’s making steady progress in the first years of the cycle, but let’s be real—the path to those statewide targets is tough, especially along busy corridors from San Rafael to Larkspur and out into West Marin.

The county issued 343 permits across all income categories in the first three years, with 117 permits in 2025. But if you look closer, the numbers for lower-income categories still leave something to be desired: 64 very-low-income permits and 83 low-income permits so far.

ADUs are a bright spot, honestly. In 2025 alone, Marin permitted 83 ADUs, and since 2019, the county’s averaged about 35 ADU permits a year. That shows a real appetite for flexible housing in places like Corte Madera and Sausalito.

Key numbers at a glance

Unincorporated housing target (total): 3,569 units; very-low-income target: 1,100; low-income target: 634.
Total permits issued (first three years): 343 (2023–2025).
Permits issued in 2025: 117.
Very-low-income permits (to date): 64.
Low-income permits (to date): 83.
ADUs permitted in 2025: 83; avg since 2019: ~35 per year.
Applications currently under review: 766 units.
Permits still needed to meet the RHNA: 3,226.
Overall RHNA for unincorporated Marin: 3,569 units (1,100 very-low-income; 634 low-income).

Notable projects in the review pipeline

Several big projects are moving through Marin’s review process, and they could really change the housing landscape in places like Strawberry and Larkspur. There’s the former theological seminary site in Strawberry being considered for new housing, the Oak Hill Apartments near Larkspur, and more apartments planned by the Marinwood shopping center.

In unincorporated San Rafael, two developments are still in the pipeline. The county’s clearly aiming to expand housing opportunities outside the incorporated cities.

There’s a sense of urgency, too—if Marin misses its Housing Element targets, the state could impose penalties.

Strategies to accelerate housing and secure funding

To keep up with the mandated RHNA, Marin County’s trying a bunch of approaches. They want to speed up approvals, make better use of county-owned land, and support affordable housing across West Marin and the peninsula.

They’re also looking at farmworker housing strategies for rural West Marin. Developer outreach is ramping up, and the county’s putting more money into helping people stay in affordable homes.

Staff point out that annual progress reports, which the state requires, can open the door for more housing and homelessness prevention funding. That could help communities from San Anselmo to Sausalito.

County actions underway

Building on county-owned parcels to kickstart affordable and workforce housing.
Rolling out farmworker housing strategies in West Marin to support local agriculture and workers.
Pushing developer outreach to speed up approvals and cut down on delays.
Boosting funding so residents can stay in affordable homes, with a focus on keeping existing affordable housing stock intact.
Using annual progress reports to unlock more state funding for housing and homelessness prevention.

What residents can do and where to find information

Residents in Marin—whether you’re in Novato, Mill Valley, or somewhere unincorporated near Sausalito—can stay in the loop by checking the County’s Community Development Agency pages. You’ll find project and permitting details there.

The County also posts resources for ADUs and general housing help. So if you’re in San Rafael or San Anselmo, you can look up ways to stay put or track down a new place.

For anyone living in Marin, these updates really do matter. The next round of housing decisions will shape neighborhoods from Strawberry to Larkspur, and from San Rafael to Novato.

As Marin tries to balance growth with that unique community vibe, it’s worth following the CDA and local newsletters. That way, you’ll know when projects move from review to reality—and you’ll get a chance to weigh in on changes that touch daily life in towns and the countryside.

Here is the source article for this story: County Provides Update on its Long-Term Housing Plans

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Marin County Details Long-Term Housing Plan and Funding Strategy