196 Corte Balboa
Greenbrae 94904 · Kentfield · Unincorporated Marin · Coordinates: 37.95201, -122.53259
Executive Verdict · Public-Records Synthesis
Zoned R1-B2 in Unincorporated Marin with likely ADU & SB 9 infill eligibility and zero mapped flood, fire, or fault hazard overlaps; benchmark value $2,299,000 ($2,023,000–$2,575,000).
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 8,712 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 (+$17,280 contributory est.)
Public building records show issued construction/renovation work on this parcel (3 total permits, latest Oct 29, 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)
- ! 6 slow or stalled nearby projects within ½ mile
Closest lead: Accessory dwelling unit at 34 Wolfe Grade (0.27 mi NW, 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 (~$26,889/yr at $2,299,000)
Sale triggers reassessment to 1.00% base + ~0.15% voter debt (~$2,241/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:
- 8,712 sq ft (0.20 ac)
- Assessor use:
- Single-Resid. - Improved
- Addresses on lot:
- 196 CORTE BALBOA
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 8,712 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 06041C0458F, 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: $2,023,000 – $2,575,000 · 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)0.27 mi NW
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 commercial building at 675 Sir Francis Drake Blvd (Issued)0.25 mi W
Active in "Issued" for 12.7 yr (first record Mar 6, 2014) with no new permit activity recorded in 12.5 yr. High-impact scale ($2,400,000 declared valuation across 2 permits).
- New home at 33 Bretano Way (Issued)0.33 mi SE
Active in "Issued" for 19 mo (first record Apr 11, 2025) with no new permit activity recorded in 14 mo. High-impact scale (1 housing unit, $750,000 declared valuation across 1 permit).
- New home at 29 Mann Dr (Issued)0.5 mi NW
Active in "Issued" for 12.7 yr (first record Mar 6, 2014) with no new permit activity recorded in 12.4 yr. High-impact scale (1 housing unit, $1,030,000 declared valuation across 1 permit).
Entity-resolved builders & contractors in ½ mile: Dickson (2 on parcel, 2 in ½ mi · HVAC / heat pump); Earthwise Energy Solutions (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Solar / battery storage); Owner Builder (55 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); Owner (37 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); Hendrickson Pools (12 in ½ mi · Pool / spa).
Permit & Project History on This Parcel (3 permits, 0 grouped projects)
| Record # | Category | Status | Applied / Issued | Valuation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B44588 | Solar / battery storage | Issued | Iss. Oct 29, 2025 | $54,882 | 8.61 kW Solar Project including a 27 kWh Battery System |
| B42246 | Plumbing / water heater / sewer | Issued | Iss. May 1, 2025 | $5,000 | replace Water heater — Replace Plumbing Fixtures(s) |
| B42244 | HVAC / heat pump | Issued | Iss. May 1, 2025 | $9,000 | REPLACE FURNACE — Replace Mechanical Appliance |