15 Tree Top Way
Kentfield 94904 · Kentfield · Unincorporated Marin · Coordinates: 37.95098, -122.56836
Executive Verdict · Public-Records Synthesis
Zoned RSP-1 in Unincorporated Marin with likely ADU & SB 9 infill eligibility and mapped CAL FIRE moderate fire hazard severity zone (state responsibility area) due diligence; benchmark value $2,651,000 ($2,333,000–$2,969,000).
Upsides & Opportunities
- ✓ ADU & SB 9 infill pathways screen as likely eligible
Zoned RSP-1 supports ministerial ADU/JADU review plus SB 9 both two-unit development and ministerial urban lot split on a 25,788 sq ft lot. Local precedent is active with 5 ADU permits within ¼ mile over the last 36 months.
Source: Unincorporated Marin zoning · CA Gov. Code 66314 & 65852.21
- ✓ Documented permitted upgrades (+$181,721 contributory est.)
Public building records show issued construction/renovation work on this parcel (5 total permits, latest Jan 30, 2024).
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: minimal flood hazard)
all of the lot of the parcel intersects Zone X: minimal flood hazard. Outside mandatory federal SFHA insurance rules, but check local drainage and finished-floor requirements.
Source: FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer (parcel polygon)
- ! CAL FIRE Moderate Fire Hazard Severity Zone (State Responsibility Area) (all of the lot of lot)
Located in a mapped Fire Hazard Severity Zone. Expect Chapter 7A ignition-resistant building standards, defensible-space inspections, and stricter property insurance underwriting.
Source: CAL FIRE FHSZ (map Apr 1, 2024)
- ! Delayed or open permit activity on this parcel
Electrical / panel (173214): Issued after 2 mo — 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: Accessory dwelling unit at 432 Woodland Rd (0.29 mi E, applied). Inspect timeline history before assuming near-term completion.
Source: County of Marin Community Development Agency, Building Permits (unincorporated Marin) · HCD APR (½-mile radius)
Parcel & Assessor
- Lot size:
- 25,788 sq ft (0.59 ac)
- Assessor use:
- Single-Resid. - Improved
- Addresses on lot:
- 15 TREE TOP WAY
Zoning & Land Use
RSP-1 — Residential Single Family Planned (Unincorporated Marin)
State Housing Pathways Screen (ADU & SB 9)
- ADU or junior ADULikely eligible
Zoned RSP-1 (single-family residential): state law allows ADUs where homes are allowed.
- SB 9: two homes on the lotLikely eligible
Zoned RSP-1, a single-family residential zone.
- SB 9: split into two lotsLikely eligible
Zoned RSP-1, a single-family residential zone. The lot is 25,788 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
- Moderate Fire Hazard Severity Zone (State Responsibility Area) (all of the lot, map Apr 1, 2024)
- FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer
- Zone X: minimal flood hazard (all of the lot) · FIRM panel 06041C0454E, effective March 17, 2014
- CGS Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zone
- Not in an Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zone
Surrounding Rent & Value Benchmarks (Public Records)
Range: $2,333,000 – $2,969,000 · 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 432 Woodland Rd (Applied)0.29 mi E
In "Applied" for 2.6 yr (since Apr 12, 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, $1,250,000 declared valuation across 1 permit).
- Electrical / panel (173214) (Issued)On this parcel
Issued after 2 mo — slower than 90% of electrical / panel permits in Unincorporated Marin (median 0d, 90th pct 2d, n=3,019).
- New home at 15 Spring Rd (Issued)0.31 mi NE
Active in "Issued" for 11.4 yr (first record Jun 24, 2015) with no new permit activity recorded in 11.1 yr. High-impact scale (1 housing unit, $2,745,000 declared valuation across 1 permit).
- Accessory dwelling unit at 31 N Ridgewood Rd (adu 31a) (Issued)0.46 mi E
Active in "Issued" for 20 mo (first record Feb 28, 2025) with no new permit activity recorded in 16 mo. High-impact scale (1 housing unit, $750,000 declared valuation across 1 permit).
Entity-resolved builders & contractors in ½ mile: Daniel Gallagher Constr (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Addition (adds square footage)); Jaj Roofing (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Solar / battery storage); Citadel Roofing And Solar (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Solar / battery storage); Groundbreaking Landscapes (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Electrical / panel); Kc Home Services (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · HVAC / heat pump).
Permit & Project History on This Parcel (5 permits, 0 grouped projects)
| Record # | Category | Status | Applied / Issued | Valuation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B36834 | Solar / battery storage | Issued | Iss. Jan 30, 2024 | $33,723 | New 2 batteries/27KWH ESS, new 125A subpanel<div>2/14/24: new 200A MSP removed from scope of work</div> |
| 173214 | Electrical / panel | Issued | Iss. Jan 18, 2023 | $25,000 | Repair & Replace [E] Deck, [N] Deck Around Spa; Electrical For Spa Unit |
| B29007 | HVAC / heat pump | Issued | Iss. Mar 9, 2022 | $8,000 | AC and Coil Replacement 17 SEER — Replace Mechanical Appliance |
| 166945 | Solar / battery storage | Issued | Iss. Jan 25, 2021 | $28,000 | 10.22kw Rooftop Photovoltaic |
| 162560 | Addition (adds square footage) | Issued | Iss. Sep 5, 2019 |