480 Vista Grande
Greenbrae 94904 · Kentfield · Unincorporated Marin · Coordinates: 37.95829, -122.52886
Executive Verdict · Public-Records Synthesis
Zoned R1-B2 in Unincorporated Marin with likely ADU & SB 9 infill eligibility and mapped CAL FIRE moderate fire hazard severity zone (local responsibility area) due diligence; benchmark value $2,363,000 ($2,079,000–$2,647,000).
Upsides & Opportunities
- ✓ ADU & SB 9 infill pathways screen as likely eligible
Zoned R1-B2 supports ministerial ADU/JADU review plus SB 9 both two-unit development and ministerial urban lot split on a 12,458 sq ft lot. Local precedent is active with 4 ADU permits 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 Sep 17, 2025).
Source: County of Marin Community Development Agency, Building Permits (unincorporated Marin) (parcel APN)
- ✓ Above-average reinvestment in Kentfield
104 substantial renovation & housing permits over 24 months (41.3 per 1,000 parcels vs. 16.4 citywide baseline) (#7 of 22 neighborhoods).
Source: County of Marin Community Development Agency, Building Permits (unincorporated Marin) (Kentfield)
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: Accessory dwelling unit at 34 Wolfe Grade (0.45 mi SW, applied). 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 (~$27,625/yr at $2,363,000)
Sale triggers reassessment to 1.00% base + ~0.15% voter debt (~$2,302/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:
- 12,458 sq ft (0.29 ac)
- Assessor use:
- Single-Resid. - Improved
- Addresses on lot:
- 480 VISTA GRANDE
Zoning & Land Use
R1-B2 — Residential Single Family (Unincorporated Marin)
State Housing Pathways Screen (ADU & SB 9)
- ADU or junior ADULikely eligible
Zoned R1-B2 (single-family residential): state law allows ADUs where homes are allowed.
- SB 9: two homes on the lotLikely eligible
Zoned R1-B2, a single-family residential zone.
- SB 9: split into two lotsLikely eligible
Zoned R1-B2, a single-family residential zone. The lot is 12,458 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 (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 06041C0459F, 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: $2,079,000 – $2,647,000 · Status: Off market
HUD Small Area FMR (ZIP 94904) · FY 2026
Studio $2,260 · 1BR $2,710 · 2BR $3,280 · 3BR $4,190 · 4BR $4,340
Developments Deserving Closer Investigation & Active Area Builders
- Accessory dwelling unit at 34 Wolfe Grade (Applied)0.45 mi SW
In "Applied" for 2.8 yr (since Jan 17, 2024), exceeding the 253d median and 686d 90th percentile for new single-family home permits in Unincorporated Marin (n=121). High-impact scale (1 housing unit, $750,000 declared valuation across 1 permit).
- New home at 138 Cypress Ave (Issued)0.45 mi W
Active in "Issued" for 8.6 yr (first record Apr 23, 2018) with no new permit activity recorded in 8.2 yr. High-impact scale (1 housing unit, $1,020,000 declared valuation across 2 permits).
- New home (Entitled)0.18 mi NW
In "Entitled" for 7.1 yr (since Oct 9, 2019), exceeding the 253d median and 686d 90th percentile for new single-family home permits in Unincorporated Marin (n=121).
- New home (Entitled)0.21 mi N
In "Entitled" for 8.4 yr (since Jun 8, 2018), 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: Divine Electric (1 on parcel, 3 in ½ mi · Accessory dwelling unit (new or conversion)); Symmetric Energy (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Solar / battery storage); Jemico (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Windows / doors / siding); Theiss Electric (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Electrical / panel); Owner Builder (29 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration).
Permit & Project History on This Parcel (4 permits, 0 grouped projects)
| Record # | Category | Status | Applied / Issued | Valuation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B43931 | Solar / battery storage | Issued | Iss. Sep 17, 2025 | $51,292 | INSTALLATION OF ROOFTOP PV SOLAR AND ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM 10.44kW DC, 7.68kW AC , 9.61kW CEC AC AND 20kWh ESS |
| B40736 | Electrical / panel | Issued | Iss. Jan 6, 2025 | $3,800 | remove existing 100Amp panel and upgrade it to a 200Amp new panel. — Service Upgrade |
| B38888 | Windows / doors / siding | Issued | Iss. Jul 27, 2024 | $27,109 | Replace 3 retrofit windows — Non-structural Door/Window Replacement |
| B38211 | EV charger | Issued | Iss. May 29, 2024 | $2,400 | Upgrade garage sub panel from 6 circuit to 8 circuit to allow for safety upgrades. Installing EV charger. — New Circuits… |