237 Hillside Ave
Kentfield 94904 · Kentfield · Unincorporated Marin · Coordinates: 37.95510, -122.55514
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 (state responsibility area) due diligence; benchmark value $2,482,000 ($2,184,000–$2,780,000).
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 25,221 sq ft lot. Local precedent is active with 2 ADU permits within ¼ mile over the last 36 months.
Source: Unincorporated Marin zoning · CA Gov. Code 66314 & 65852.21
- ✓ Documented permitted upgrades (+$12,859 contributory est.)
Public building records show issued construction/renovation work on this parcel (6 total permits, latest May 16, 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 (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)
- ! Delayed or open permit activity on this parcel
Electrical / panel (174064): Issued after 8 mo — slower than 90% of electrical / panel permits in Unincorporated Marin (median 0d, 90th pct 2d, n=3,019).
Source: County of Marin Community Development Agency, Building Permits (unincorporated Marin) (review-time benchmark)
- ! 4 slow or stalled nearby projects within ½ mile
Closest lead: New home at 75 Rock Rd (0.19 mi W, 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:
- 25,221 sq ft (0.58 ac)
- Assessor use:
- Single-Resid. - Improved
- Addresses on lot:
- 237 HILLSIDE AVE
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 25,221 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: $2,184,000 – $2,780,000 · 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
- Electrical / panel (174064) (Issued)On this parcel
Issued after 8 mo — slower than 90% of electrical / panel permits in Unincorporated Marin (median 0d, 90th pct 2d, n=3,019).
- New home at 75 Rock Rd (Issued)0.19 mi W
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 237 Hillside Ave (Finaled / completed)On this parcel
High-impact scale (1 housing unit, $750,000 declared valuation across 1 permit).
- Accessory dwelling unit at 31 N Ridgewood Rd (adu 31a) (Issued)0.38 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: Owner (1 on parcel, 21 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); John Lundy (1 on parcel, 2 in ½ mi · Addition (adds square footage)); Tg General Building Construction (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Electrical / panel); Owner Builder (35 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); Swett Construction (9 in ½ mi · New garage / accessory structure).
Permit & Project History on This Parcel (6 permits, 1 grouped projects)
| Record # | Category | Status | Applied / Issued | Valuation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 174064 | Electrical / panel | Issued | Iss. May 16, 2023 | — | Deck; Electrical For Lighting & Portable Hardwired Spa |
| 166178 | Solar / battery storage | Issued | Iss. Nov 5, 2020 | $37,600 | Photovoltaic 11.22kw & Energy Storage System |
| B22767 | HVAC / heat pump | Issued | Iss. Jun 11, 2020 | $11,000 | Change electrical panel and upgrade service to 320 amps. Install 2 air conditioners. — Service Upgrade; Mechanical Appli… |
| 153932 | General repair | Issued | Iss. Nov 30, 2016 | $5,000 |