5 Elm Ave
Kentfield 94904 · Kentfield · Unincorporated Marin · Coordinates: 37.95730, -122.54897
Executive Verdict · Public-Records Synthesis
Zoned OP in Unincorporated Marin and zero mapped flood, fire, or fault hazard overlaps; benchmark value $2,166,000 ($1,906,000–$2,426,000).
Upsides & Opportunities
- ✓ 3 documented municipal building permits on file
On-parcel permit history is indexed through Apr 2, 2025, letting you verify roof, HVAC, electrical, or structural work against seller disclosures.
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: 0.2% annual chance flood hazard (shaded X))
all of the lot of the parcel intersects Zone X: 0.2% annual chance flood hazard (shaded X). 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 66 Hanken Dr (adu 66a) (0.15 mi NE, 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)
- ! Year 1 Prop 13 tax reset (~$25,359/yr at $2,166,000)
Sale triggers reassessment to 1.00% base + ~0.15% voter debt (~$2,113/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:
- 4,530 sq ft (0.10 ac)
- Assessor use:
- Multiple-Resid. - Improved
- Addresses on lot:
- 5 ELM AVE; 5 ELM AVE A; 5 ELM AVE B
Zoning & Land Use
OP — Planned Office (Unincorporated Marin)
State Housing Pathways Screen (ADU & SB 9)
- ADU or junior ADUUnlikely
Zoned OP (commercial): the zone doesn't allow homes, so state ADU rules don't apply.
- SB 9: two homes on the lotUnlikely
Zoned OP (commercial), not a single-family residential zone.
- SB 9: split into two lotsUnlikely
Zoned OP (commercial), not a single-family residential zone.
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: 0.2% annual chance flood hazard (shaded X) (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: $1,906,000 – $2,426,000 · 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 66 Hanken Dr (adu 66a) (Issued)0.15 mi NE
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)0.18 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 105 Oak Ave (Issued)0.38 mi E
Active in "Issued" for 4.3 yr (first record Jul 15, 2022) with no new permit activity recorded in 14 mo. High-impact scale (1 housing unit, $965,000 declared valuation across 3 permits).
- Accessory dwelling unit at 625 College Ave (a D U 627) (Issued)0.49 mi S
Active in "Issued" for 3.9 yr (first record Dec 7, 2022) with no new permit activity recorded in 3 yr. High-impact scale (1 housing unit, $4,500,000 declared valuation across 1 permit).
Entity-resolved builders & contractors in ½ mile: Robert Curry Electric (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Electrical / panel); De Mello Roofing (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Roof replacement); Amesos Plumbing (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Plumbing / water heater / sewer); Owner (37 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); Owner Builder (34 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration).
Permit & Project History on This Parcel (3 permits, 0 grouped projects)
| Record # | Category | Status | Applied / Issued | Valuation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B41850 | Electrical / panel | Issued | Iss. Apr 2, 2025 | $17,850 | 200A, Like for Like. Underground (3) Meter tri-plex — Service Upgrade |
| B18102 | Roof replacement | Issued | Iss. Jun 26, 2019 | $10,895 | TEAR OFF EXISTING BUILT-UP ROOF INSTALL BUILT-UP ROOF CLASS A — ReRoofing |
| B12307 | Plumbing / water heater / sewer | Issued | Iss. Apr 26, 2017 | $2,000 | Remove Old Water Heater And Install New Up To Code — New Plumbing Fixture(s) |