253 Laurel Grove Ave
Kentfield 94904 · Kentfield · Unincorporated Marin · Coordinates: 37.96058, -122.54707
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 $2,460,000 ($2,165,000–$2,755,000).
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 20,778 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 (+$24,300 contributory est.)
Public building records show issued construction/renovation work on this parcel (4 total permits, latest Aug 27, 2021).
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)
- ! Delayed or open permit activity on this parcel
Solar / battery storage (169213): Issued after 2 mo — slower than 90% of solar / battery storage permits in Unincorporated Marin (median 0d, 90th pct 2d, n=2,977).
Source: County of Marin Community Development Agency, Building Permits (unincorporated Marin) (review-time benchmark)
- ! 5 slow or stalled nearby projects within ½ mile
Closest lead: Accessory dwelling unit at 66 Hanken Dr (adu 66a) (0.1 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)
Parcel & Assessor
- Lot size:
- 20,778 sq ft (0.48 ac)
- Assessor use:
- Single-Resid. - Improved
- Addresses on lot:
- 253 LAUREL GROVE AVE
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 20,778 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 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: $2,165,000 – $2,755,000 · 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
- Solar / battery storage (169213) (Issued)On this parcel
Issued after 2 mo — slower than 90% of solar / battery storage permits in Unincorporated Marin (median 0d, 90th pct 2d, n=2,977).
- Accessory dwelling unit at 66 Hanken Dr (adu 66a) (Issued)0.1 mi S
Active in "Issued" for 3.1 yr (first record Sep 29, 2023) with no new permit activity recorded in 2.8 yr. High-impact scale (1 housing unit, $1,000,000 declared valuation across 1 permit).
- New home at 7 Cedar Ave (Issued)0.4 mi SW
Active in "Issued" for 7.7 yr (first record Mar 14, 2019) with no new permit activity recorded in 5.5 yr. High-impact scale (1 housing unit, $1,217,500 declared valuation across 2 permits).
- New home at 49 Laurel Grove Ave (Issued)0.42 mi SE
Active in "Issued" for 9.3 yr (first record Jul 18, 2017) with no new permit activity recorded in 9.1 yr. High-impact scale (1 housing unit, $1,200,000 declared valuation across 1 permit).
Entity-resolved builders & contractors in ½ mile: True Blue Electric (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Solar / battery storage); Upscale Construction (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); William Gotelli Plumbing (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Plumbing / water heater / sewer); Pure Power Solutions (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Electrical / panel); Owner Builder (26 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration).
Permit & Project History on This Parcel (4 permits, 0 grouped projects)
| Record # | Category | Status | Applied / Issued | Valuation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 169213 | Solar / battery storage | Issued | Iss. Aug 27, 2021 | $40,798 | 12.245 Kw Rooftop Photovoltaic & Energy Storage System - Express |
| B12421 | Plumbing / water heater / sewer | Issued | Iss. May 15, 2017 | $3,818 | Install approximately 80' of 1-1/4 PEDR11 (Yellow underground pipe)gas line from PG&E meter to pool equipment room. Afte… |
| 153748 | Electrical / panel | Issued | Iss. Nov 3, 2016 | $3,000 | New Inverter Replacing Two Inverters On Existing P V Sys, With Sunny Boy 7.7 - Express |
| 152179 | Remodel / interior alteration | Issued | Iss. Jun 2, 2016 | $30,000 | Rmdl 2 Bas (Struct Wndws In Area Of Remodel) - Express***Expired |