19 Berens Dr
Kentfield 94904 · Kentfield · Unincorporated Marin · Coordinates: 37.94923, -122.54134
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 $2,473,000 ($2,176,000–$2,770,000).
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
- ✓ Documented permitted upgrades (+$269,138 contributory est.)
Public building records show issued construction/renovation work on this parcel (8 total permits, latest Feb 10, 2022).
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 7% 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 19 Berens Dr: Active in "Issued" for 5.6 yr (first record Apr 22, 2021) with no new permit activity recorded in 4.8 yr.
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 (0.29 mi SW, 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 (~$28,890/yr at $2,473,000)
Sale triggers reassessment to 1.00% base + ~0.15% voter debt (~$2,407/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:
- 5,619 sq ft (0.13 ac)
- Assessor use:
- Single-Resid. - Improved
- Addresses on lot:
- 19 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 7% 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 5,619 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 7% 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 7% of the lot); Zone X: 0.2% annual chance flood hazard (shaded X) (about 92% 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: $2,176,000 – $2,770,000 · 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)0.29 mi SW
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 19 Berens Dr (Issued)On this parcel
Active in "Issued" for 5.6 yr (first record Apr 22, 2021) with no new permit activity recorded in 4.8 yr.
- Accessory dwelling unit at 34 Wolfe Grade (Applied)0.49 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).
- Remodel / interior alteration (159686) (Issued)On this parcel
Issued after 11 mo (3.9× the 83d median) — slower than 90% of remodel / interior alteration permits in Unincorporated Marin (median 83d, 90th pct 266d, n=1,054).
Entity-resolved builders & contractors in ½ mile: Dan Gillies Construction (4 on parcel, 4 in ½ mi · Accessory dwelling unit (new or conversion)); Tesla Energy (3 on parcel, 3 in ½ mi · Solar / battery storage); Dan Gillies Construction Services (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Windows / doors / siding); Owner Builder (31 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); Owner (30 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration).
Permit & Project History on This Parcel (8 permits, 1 grouped projects)
| Record # | Category | Status | Applied / Issued | Valuation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 170619 | Accessory dwelling unit (new or conversion) | Issued | Iss. Feb 10, 2022 | $50,000 | Convert Garage To J A D U |
| 165747 | Solar / battery storage | Issued | Iss. Sep 16, 2020 | $26,075 | 8.16 Photovoltaic & Energy Storage System |
| 163224 | Addition (adds square footage) | Issued | Iss. Nov 14, 2019 | $10,000 | Addition T.D. 10/15/19 |
| 163004 | General repair | Issued | Iss. Oct 22, 2019 | $5,000 | Foundation Strengthening Helical Repair |