51 Berens Dr
Kentfield 94904 · Kentfield · Unincorporated Marin · Coordinates: 37.94841, -122.54319
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 $2,313,000 ($2,035,000–$2,591,000).
Upsides & Opportunities
- ✓ Ministerial ADU / JADU pathway likely eligible
Zone R1-B1 allows residential use qualifying for ministerial ADU review under state law (4 ADU permits permitted within ¼ mile in 36 months).
Source: Unincorporated Marin zoning · CA Gov. Code 66314
- ✓ 1 documented municipal building permit on file
On-parcel permit history is indexed through Mar 8, 2016, 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
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 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)
- ! 6 slow or stalled nearby projects within ½ mile
Closest lead: Magnolia Village (0.2 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 (~$27,050/yr at $2,313,000)
Sale triggers reassessment to 1.00% base + ~0.15% voter debt (~$2,254/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:
- 10,367 sq ft (0.24 ac)
- Assessor use:
- Single-Resid. - Improved
- Addresses on lot:
- 51 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 10,367 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 9% of the lot); Zone X: 0.2% annual chance flood hazard (shaded X) (about 13% of the lot); Zone X: 0.2% annual chance flood hazard (shaded X) (about 74% 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: $2,035,000 – $2,591,000 · 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)0.2 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).
- New commercial building at 675 Sir Francis Drake Blvd (Issued)0.38 mi NE
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).
- New home at 617 College Ave (Issued)0.39 mi W
Active in "Issued" for 13 yr (first record Nov 12, 2013) with no new permit activity recorded in 12.7 yr. High-impact scale (1 housing unit, $1,000,000 declared valuation across 1 permit).
- Accessory dwelling unit at 625 College Ave (a D U 627) (Issued)0.39 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: Benjamin Franklin Certified Plumbing (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Plumbing / water heater / sewer); Owner Builder (45 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); Owner (29 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); Mccarthy Building (9 in ½ mi · New commercial / non-residential building); Tembrock Ingrassia Builders (5 in ½ mi · New garage / accessory structure).
Permit & Project History on This Parcel (1 permits, 0 grouped projects)
| Record # | Category | Status | Applied / Issued | Valuation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 151082 | Plumbing / water heater / sewer | Issued | Iss. Mar 8, 2016 | $1,900 | Replace Water Heater |