74 Berens Dr
Kentfield 94904 · Kentfield · Unincorporated Marin · Coordinates: 37.94983, -122.54331
Executive Verdict · Public-Records Synthesis
Zoned R1-B1 in Unincorporated Marin with likely ministerial ADU eligibility and mapped FEMA AE flood due diligence; benchmark value $2,349,000 ($2,067,000–$2,631,000).
Upsides & Opportunities
- ✓ Ministerial ADU / JADU pathway likely eligible
Zone R1-B1 allows residential use qualifying for ministerial ADU review under state law (7 ADU permits permitted within ¼ mile in 36 months).
Source: Unincorporated Marin zoning · CA Gov. Code 66314
- ✓ Documented permitted upgrades (+$116,007 contributory est.)
Public building records show issued construction/renovation work on this parcel (7 total permits, latest Jun 1, 2023).
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, about 34% of the lot of lot)
Zone AE: 1% annual chance flood (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)
- ! Delayed or open permit activity on this parcel
Solar / battery storage (87094): Pending in review for 5.9 yr — slower than 90% of solar / battery storage permits in Unincorporated Marin (median 0d, 90th pct 2d, n=2,977).
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 (0.3 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 (~$27,464/yr at $2,349,000)
Sale triggers reassessment to 1.00% base + ~0.15% voter debt (~$2,289/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:
- 6,621 sq ft (0.15 ac)
- Assessor use:
- Single-Resid. - Improved
- Addresses on lot:
- 74 BERENS DR
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 Special Flood Hazard Area (Zone AE) covers about 34% of the lot: the project must meet the National Flood Insurance Program floodplain standards, or the lot needs a map revision.
- SB 9: split into two lotsPossible, with conditions
Zoned R1-B1, a single-family residential zone. The lot is 6,621 sq ft by the assessor, room for two lots of at least 1,200 sq ft, each at least 40% of the original. FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area (Zone AE) covers about 34% of the lot: the project must meet the National Flood Insurance Program floodplain standards, or the lot needs a map revision.
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 AE: 1% annual chance flood (Special Flood Hazard Area) (about 34% of the lot); Zone X: 0.2% annual chance flood hazard (shaded X) (about 45% of the lot); Zone X: 0.2% annual chance flood hazard (shaded X) (about 21% 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: $2,067,000 – $2,631,000 · 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)0.3 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).
- Solar / battery storage (87094) (Applied)On this parcel
Pending in review for 5.9 yr — slower than 90% of solar / battery storage permits in Unincorporated Marin (median 0d, 90th pct 2d, n=2,977).
- New commercial building at 675 Sir Francis Drake Blvd (Issued)0.36 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).
- Accessory dwelling unit at 625 College Ave (a D U 627) (Issued)0.37 mi W
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).
Entity-resolved builders & contractors in ½ mile: Owner Builder (1 on parcel, 49 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); Tesla Energy (2 on parcel, 2 in ½ mi · General repair); Diego Bros (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Addition (adds square footage)); Apex Roofing And Renovation Contractors (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Roof replacement); Dickson (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · HVAC / heat pump).
Permit & Project History on This Parcel (7 permits, 0 grouped projects)
| Record # | Category | Status | Applied / Issued | Valuation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 174104 | Addition (adds square footage) | Issued | Iss. Jun 1, 2023 | $99,500 | Expand Entry, (N) Sheetrock Throughout For Sprinklers - Amendment To P#172890 |
| 172890 | Addition (adds square footage) | Issued | Iss. Dec 6, 2022 | $65,000 | Interior Remodel; Addition To Entry |
| B25009 | Roof replacement | Issued | Iss. Mar 1, 2021 | $20,250 | Re-roof: Replace existing comp shingles with GAF Cool Roof shingles - 18 squares — ReRoofing |
| 166773 | Solar / battery storage | Issued | Iss. Jan 6, 2021 | $26,075 | 8.16kw Rooftop Photovoltaic & Energy Storage System |
| 166772 | General repair | Issued | Iss. Jan 6, 2021 |