17 Poplar Dr
Kentfield 94904 · Kentfield · Unincorporated Marin · Coordinates: 37.95929, -122.53517
Executive Verdict · Public-Records Synthesis
Zoned R1-B3 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 $2,505,000 ($2,204,000–$2,806,000).
Upsides & Opportunities
- ✓ ADU & SB 9 infill pathways screen as likely eligible
Zoned R1-B3 supports ministerial ADU/JADU review plus SB 9 both two-unit development and ministerial urban lot split on a 28,314 sq ft lot. Local precedent is active with 5 ADU permits within ¼ mile over the last 36 months.
Source: Unincorporated Marin zoning · CA Gov. Code 66314 & 65852.21
- ✓ Documented permitted upgrades (+$36,300 contributory est.)
Public building records show issued construction/renovation work on this parcel (3 total permits, latest Aug 2, 2023).
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
Plumbing / water heater / sewer (172447): Issued after 2 mo — slower than 90% of plumbing / water heater / sewer permits in Unincorporated Marin (median 0d, 90th pct 0d, n=2,211).
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 34 Wolfe Grade (0.31 mi S, 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)
Parcel & Assessor
- Lot size:
- 28,314 sq ft (0.65 ac)
- Assessor use:
- Single-Resid. - Improved
- Addresses on lot:
- 17 POPLAR DR
Zoning & Land Use
R1-B3 — Residential Single Family (Unincorporated Marin)
State Housing Pathways Screen (ADU & SB 9)
- ADU or junior ADULikely eligible
Zoned R1-B3 (single-family residential): state law allows ADUs where homes are allowed.
- SB 9: two homes on the lotLikely eligible
Zoned R1-B3, a single-family residential zone.
- SB 9: split into two lotsLikely eligible
Zoned R1-B3, a single-family residential zone. The lot is 28,314 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: $2,204,000 – $2,806,000 · 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)0.31 mi S
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).
- Plumbing / water heater / sewer (172447) (Issued)On this parcel
Issued after 2 mo — slower than 90% of plumbing / water heater / sewer permits in Unincorporated Marin (median 0d, 90th pct 0d, n=2,211).
- New home at 138 Cypress Ave (Issued)0.1 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 at 29 Mann Dr (Issued)0.23 mi SW
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: Guthrie Construction (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); Wood Builder (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Plumbing / water heater / sewer); Wedge Roofing (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Roof replacement); Owner Builder (40 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); Owner (25 in ½ mi · Addition (adds square footage)).
Permit & Project History on This Parcel (3 permits, 0 grouped projects)
| Record # | Category | Status | Applied / Issued | Valuation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 174671 | Remodel / interior alteration | Issued | Iss. Aug 2, 2023 | $75,000 | Bathroom Remodel |
| B31690 | Roof replacement | Issued | Iss. Nov 7, 2022 | $41,560 | Remove existing 47 sq ft roof down to sheathing. Prepare existing sheathing for new roof. Install GAF Timberline HDZ Lif… |
| 172447 | Plumbing / water heater / sewer | Issued | Iss. Sep 28, 2022 | $50,000 | Repair Deck, Repair Front Entry Dry Rot, Replace Water Heater |