28 Berens Dr
Kentfield 94904 · Kentfield · Unincorporated Marin · Coordinates: 37.94916, -122.54212
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 $2,216,000 ($1,950,000–$2,482,000).
Upsides & Opportunities
- ✓ Ministerial ADU / JADU pathway likely eligible
Zone R1-B1 allows residential use qualifying for ministerial ADU review under state law (6 ADU permits permitted within ¼ mile in 36 months).
Source: Unincorporated Marin zoning · CA Gov. Code 66314
- ✓ 5 documented municipal building permits on file
On-parcel permit history is indexed through Oct 11, 2021, 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
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
- ! FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area (AE, about 4% 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
Accessory dwelling unit at 30 Berens Dr: In "Applied" for 5.1 yr (since Oct 11, 2021), exceeding the 253d median and 686d 90th percentile for new single-family home permits in Unincorporated Marin (n=121).
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: Magnolia Village (0.26 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 (~$25,934/yr at $2,216,000)
Sale triggers reassessment to 1.00% base + ~0.15% voter debt (~$2,161/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:
- 6,011 sq ft (0.14 ac)
- Assessor use:
- Single-Resid. - Improved
- Addresses on lot:
- 28 BERENS DR; 30 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 4% 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 6,011 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 4% 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 4% of the lot); Zone X: 0.2% annual chance flood hazard (shaded X) (about 25% of the lot); Zone X: 0.2% annual chance flood hazard (shaded X) (about 71% 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: $1,950,000 – $2,482,000 · 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
- Accessory dwelling unit at 30 Berens Dr (Applied)On this parcel
In "Applied" for 5.1 yr (since Oct 11, 2021), exceeding the 253d median and 686d 90th percentile for new single-family home permits in Unincorporated Marin (n=121).
- Magnolia Village (Entitled)0.26 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 (new or conversion) (89049) (Applied)On this parcel
Pending in review for 5.1 yr (9.1× the 204d median) — slower than 90% of accessory dwelling unit (new or conversion) permits in Unincorporated Marin (median 204d, 90th pct 549d, n=298).
- 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: Owner (1 on parcel, 30 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); Juan Calmell (1 on parcel, 3 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); Zl Construction (1 on parcel, 2 in ½ mi · Demolition); Ongaro Ernest And Sons (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · HVAC / heat pump); Owner Builder (43 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration).
Permit & Project History on This Parcel (5 permits, 1 grouped projects)
| Record # | Category | Status | Applied / Issued | Valuation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 89049 | Accessory dwelling unit (new or conversion) | Applied | App. Oct 11, 2021 | $250,000 | New Attached A.D.U., Entry Hall Addition, Remodel, & Deck Kentfield Fire Dist. Kentfield School Dist. |
| 152453 | HVAC / heat pump | Issued | Iss. Jun 21, 2016 | $5,500 | Add A/C To Exist. Furnace |
| 146041 | Remodel / interior alteration | Issued | Iss. Mar 2, 2015 | $250,000 | Rmdl Whole House Including Adding/Relocating Windows & Doors - Bwop T.D. 12/24/14 |
| 144265 | Demolition | Issued | Iss. Sep 25, 2014 | $4,500 |