343 Kent Ave
Kentfield 94904 · Kentfield · Unincorporated Marin · Coordinates: 37.95780, -122.55425
Executive Verdict · Public-Records Synthesis
Zoned R1-B1 in Unincorporated Marin with likely ministerial ADU eligibility and mapped FEMA AE flood / CAL FIRE moderate fire hazard severity zone (state responsibility area) due diligence; benchmark value $2,128,000 ($1,873,000–$2,383,000).
Upsides & Opportunities
- ✓ Ministerial ADU / JADU pathway likely eligible
Zone R1-B1 allows residential use qualifying for ministerial ADU review under state law (2 ADU permits permitted within ¼ mile in 36 months).
Source: Unincorporated Marin zoning · CA Gov. Code 66314
- ✓ 1 documented municipal building permit on file
On-parcel permit history is indexed through Feb 2, 2017, 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
- ! FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area (AE, all of the lot of lot)
Zone AE: regulatory floodway (Special Flood Hazard Area) overlaps this parcel. Expect mandatory flood insurance for federally backed loans and floodplain elevation/mitigation rules for new units or SB 9 applications.
Source: FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer (parcel polygon)
- ! CAL FIRE Moderate Fire Hazard Severity Zone (State Responsibility Area) (about 94% 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 7 Cedar Ave (0.16 mi SE, 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 (~$24,922/yr at $2,128,000)
Sale triggers reassessment to 1.00% base + ~0.15% voter debt (~$2,077/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:
- 3,659 sq ft (0.08 ac)
- Assessor use:
- Single-Resid. - Improved
- Addresses on lot:
- 343 KENT AVE
Zoning & Land Use
R1-B1 — Residential Single Family (Unincorporated Marin)
State Housing Pathways Screen (ADU & SB 9)
- ADU or junior ADULikely eligible
Zoned R1-B1 (single-family residential): state law allows ADUs where homes are allowed.
- SB 9: two homes on the lotPossible, with conditions
Zoned R1-B1, a single-family residential zone. FEMA regulatory floodway covers all of the lot: SB 9 requires a no-rise certification.
- SB 9: split into two lotsPossible, with conditions
Zoned R1-B1, a single-family residential zone. The lot is 3,659 sq ft by the assessor, room for two lots of at least 1,200 sq ft, each at least 40% of the original. FEMA regulatory floodway covers all of the lot: SB 9 requires a no-rise certification.
Mapped Hazard Zones on This Lot
- CAL FIRE Fire Hazard Severity Zone
- Moderate Fire Hazard Severity Zone (State Responsibility Area) (about 94% of the lot, map Apr 1, 2024); Moderate Fire Hazard Severity Zone (Local Responsibility Area) (about 6% of the lot, map Mar 24, 2025)
- FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer
- Zone AE: regulatory floodway (Special Flood Hazard Area) (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: $1,873,000 – $2,383,000 · 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
- New home at 7 Cedar Ave (Issued)0.16 mi SE
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 75 Rock Rd (Issued)0.32 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).
- Accessory dwelling unit at 66 Hanken Dr (adu 66a) (Issued)0.37 mi E
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).
- 147 Lagunitas (Issued)0.41 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).
Entity-resolved builders & contractors in ½ mile: Northbay Sunspace (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · New garage / accessory structure); Owner Builder (20 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); Owner (19 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); Thomas Graves Construction (5 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); Advanced Building Solutions (5 in ½ mi · Accessory dwelling unit (new or conversion)).
Permit & Project History on This Parcel (1 permits, 0 grouped projects)
| Record # | Category | Status | Applied / Issued | Valuation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 154478 | New garage / accessory structure | Issued | Iss. Feb 2, 2017 | $63,500 | Repl Sunroom; Add Screen Room And Patio On Deck |