40 Lancaster Ave
Kentfield 94904 · Kentfield · Unincorporated Marin · Coordinates: 37.94990, -122.54252
Executive Verdict · Public-Records Synthesis
Zoned R1-B1 in Unincorporated Marin with likely ADU & SB 9 infill eligibility and zero mapped flood, fire, or fault hazard overlaps; benchmark value $2,253,000 ($1,983,000–$2,523,000).
Upsides & Opportunities
- ✓ ADU & SB 9 infill pathways screen as likely eligible
Zoned R1-B1 supports ministerial ADU/JADU review plus SB 9 both two-unit development and ministerial urban lot split on a 6,926 sq ft lot. Local precedent is active with 6 ADU permits within ¼ mile over the last 36 months.
Source: Unincorporated Marin zoning · CA Gov. Code 66314 & 65852.21
- ✓ Documented permitted upgrades (+$12,160 contributory est.)
Public building records show issued construction/renovation work on this parcel (8 total permits, latest Nov 19, 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: 0.2% annual chance flood hazard (shaded X))
about 99% 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)
- ! Delayed or open permit activity on this parcel
Electrical / panel (91683): Pending in review for 3 yr — 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)
- ! 5 slow or stalled nearby projects within ½ mile
Closest lead: Magnolia Village (0.31 mi S, entitled). 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 (~$26,360/yr at $2,253,000)
Sale triggers reassessment to 1.00% base + ~0.15% voter debt (~$2,197/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:
- 6,926 sq ft (0.16 ac)
- Assessor use:
- Single-Resid. - Improved
- Addresses on lot:
- 40 LANCASTER 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 lotLikely eligible
Zoned R1-B1, a single-family residential zone.
- SB 9: split into two lotsLikely eligible
Zoned R1-B1, a single-family residential zone. The lot is 6,926 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
- Not in a State-mapped fire hazard severity zone
- FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer
- Zone X: 0.2% annual chance flood hazard (shaded X) (about 99% 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: $1,983,000 – $2,523,000 · 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
- Magnolia Village (Entitled)0.31 mi S
In "Entitled" for 3.8 yr (since Feb 1, 2023), exceeding the 292d median and 313d 90th percentile for new multifamily / condos / mixed-use permits in Unincorporated Marin (n=21). High-impact scale (20 housing units, 4 deed-restricted affordable across 0 permits).
- Accessory dwelling unit at 34 Wolfe Grade (Applied)0.5 mi NE
In "Applied" for 2.8 yr (since Jan 17, 2024), exceeding the 253d median and 686d 90th percentile for new single-family home permits in Unincorporated Marin (n=121). High-impact scale (1 housing unit, $750,000 declared valuation across 1 permit).
- Electrical / panel (91683) (Applied)On this parcel
Pending in review for 3 yr — slower than 90% of electrical / panel permits in Unincorporated Marin (median 0d, 90th pct 2d, n=3,019).
- New commercial building at 675 Sir Francis Drake Blvd (Issued)0.31 mi E
Active in "Issued" for 12.7 yr (first record Mar 6, 2014) with no new permit activity recorded in 12.5 yr. High-impact scale ($2,400,000 declared valuation across 2 permits).
Entity-resolved builders & contractors in ½ mile: Ernest Ongaro And Sons (1 on parcel, 2 in ½ mi · Accessory dwelling unit (new or conversion)); Escalante And Son Roofing (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Roof replacement); Divine Electric (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Electrical / panel); Tesla Energy (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Solar / battery storage); Affordable Heating And Air Conditioning (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · HVAC / heat pump).
Permit & Project History on This Parcel (8 permits, 0 grouped projects)
| Record # | Category | Status | Applied / Issued | Valuation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B36037 | EV charger | Issued | Iss. Nov 19, 2023 | $1,770 | Install A Tesla Wall Connector EV Charger. — EV Charging Station |
| 91683 | Electrical / panel | Applied | App. Nov 9, 2023 | $1,700 | Install (N) E V Charger At Garage |
| B29249 | HVAC / heat pump | Issued | Iss. Mar 31, 2022 | $6,500 | FURNACE REPLACEMENT ONLY. AFUE 96% — Replace Mechanical Appliance |
| 169823 | Solar / battery storage | Issued | Iss. Nov 4, 2021 | $9,000 | 7.22kw Rooftop Photovoltaic - Express |
| B27345 | Roof replacement | Issued | Iss. Oct 8, 2021 | $21,800 |