160 Hillside Ave
Kentfield 94904 · Kentfield · Unincorporated Marin · Coordinates: 37.95655, -122.55632
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 (state responsibility area) due diligence; benchmark value $2,300,000 ($2,024,000–$2,576,000).
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 9,670 sq ft lot. Local precedent is active with 1 ADU permit within ¼ mile over the last 36 months.
Source: Unincorporated Marin zoning · CA Gov. Code 66314 & 65852.21
- ✓ 4 documented municipal building permits on file
On-parcel permit history is indexed through Aug 27, 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
103 substantial renovation & housing permits over 24 months (40.9 per 1,000 parcels vs. 16.3 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 (State 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 Apr 1, 2024)
- ! 6 slow or stalled nearby projects within ½ mile
Closest lead: New home at 75 Rock Rd (0.18 mi SW, 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 (~$26,900/yr at $2,300,000)
Sale triggers reassessment to 1.00% base + ~0.15% voter debt (~$2,242/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:
- 9,670 sq ft (0.22 ac)
- Assessor use:
- Single-Resid. - Improved
- Addresses on lot:
- 160 HILLSIDE 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 9,670 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 (State Responsibility Area) (all of the lot, map Apr 1, 2024)
- 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: $2,024,000 – $2,576,000 · 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
Nearby Activity (½ mile radius, since November 2024)
20 active or recent development projects (16 housing units across completed, permitted, and pipeline stages) and 253 total building permits recorded within ½ mile.
- New construction12 permits (6 units)
- Adds housing (ADU)5 permits (5 units)
- Demolition8 permits
- Additions & renovations20 permits
- Building systems169 permits
- Repairs13 permits
- Other26 permits
Developments Deserving Closer Investigation & Active Area Builders
- New home at 75 Rock Rd (Issued)0.18 mi SW
Active in "Issued" for 2.2 yr (first record Aug 27, 2024) with no new permit activity recorded in 18 mo. High-impact scale (1 housing unit, $936,400 declared valuation across 1 permit).
- New home at 7 Cedar Ave (Issued)0.24 mi E
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).
- 147 Lagunitas (Issued)0.38 mi NW
Active in "Issued" for 3.7 yr (first record Feb 28, 2023) with no new permit activity recorded in 3.7 yr. High-impact scale (1 housing unit, 1 deed-restricted affordable across 0 permits).
- Accessory dwelling unit at 31 N Ridgewood Rd (adu 31a) (Issued)0.42 mi SW
Active in "Issued" for 20 mo (first record Feb 28, 2025) with no new permit activity recorded in 16 mo. High-impact scale (1 housing unit, $750,000 declared valuation across 1 permit).
Entity-resolved builders & contractors in ½ mile: Remsen Residential Construction (2 on parcel, 2 in ½ mi · General repair); Booth And Little (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Roof replacement); William Gotelli Plumbing (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Plumbing / water heater / sewer); Owner Builder (20 in ½ mi · Addition (adds square footage)); Owner (19 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration).
Permit & Project History on This Parcel (4 permits, 0 grouped projects)
| Record # | Category | Status | Applied / Issued | Valuation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B43630 | Roof replacement | Issued | Iss. Aug 27, 2025 | $17,800 | tear off existing roof and install new Class A roof — ReRoofing |
| B37444 | Plumbing / water heater / sewer | Issued | Iss. Mar 25, 2024 | $4,200 | Replace 50 gallon water heater with same in same location — Replace Plumbing Fixtures(s) |
| 156332 | General repair | Issued | Iss. Aug 23, 2017 | $50,000 | Piers, Grade Beams & Shearwalls; Repl Decks T.D. 8/10/17 |
| 156250 | New garage / accessory structure | Issued | Iss. Aug 15, 2017 | $26,000 | Add Structural Support To Carport T.D. 7/21/17 |