117 Hillside Ave
Kentfield 94904 · Kentfield · Unincorporated Marin · Coordinates: 37.95466, -122.55439
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 $2,448,000 ($2,154,000–$2,742,000).
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 21,911 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 (+$2,816 contributory est.)
Public building records show issued construction/renovation work on this parcel (4 total permits, latest Jul 18, 2017).
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)
- ! 6 slow or stalled nearby projects within ½ mile
Closest lead: New home at 75 Rock Rd (0.23 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)
- ! Year 1 Prop 13 tax reset (~$28,602/yr at $2,448,000)
Sale triggers reassessment to 1.00% base + ~0.15% voter debt (~$2,384/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:
- 21,911 sq ft (0.50 ac)
- Assessor use:
- Single-Resid. - Improved
- Addresses on lot:
- 117 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 21,911 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: $2,154,000 – $2,742,000 · 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 75 Rock Rd (Issued)0.23 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).
- Accessory dwelling unit at 31 N Ridgewood Rd (adu 31a) (Issued)0.39 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).
- Accessory dwelling unit at 625 College Ave (a D U 627) (Issued)0.39 mi SE
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).
- Accessory dwelling unit at 66 Hanken Dr (adu 66a) (Issued)0.48 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).
Entity-resolved builders & contractors in ½ mile: Owner Builder (1 on parcel, 38 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); Owner (1 on parcel, 30 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); Pagan Construction (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); Home Depot USA (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Windows / doors / siding); Swett Construction (9 in ½ mi · New garage / accessory structure).
Permit & Project History on This Parcel (4 permits, 0 grouped projects)
| Record # | Category | Status | Applied / Issued | Valuation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 156014 | Remodel / interior alteration | Issued | Iss. Jul 18, 2017 | $8,000 | Rmdl Bath - Express |
| B12185 | Windows / doors / siding | Issued | Iss. Apr 5, 2017 | $7,655 | REPLACE 6 WINDOWS SIZE FOR SIZE — Non-structural Door/Window Replacement |
| 148342 | Electrical / panel | Issued | Iss. Aug 11, 2015 | $4,000 | 2nd Meter For Car Charger; New Car Charging Station |
| 146615 | General repair | Issued | Iss. Apr 13, 2015 | $3,000 | Pool Repairs - Re-Plaster Pool |