601 College Ave
Kentfield 94904 · Kentfield · Unincorporated Marin · Coordinates: 37.94837, -122.55003
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 $2,469,000 ($2,173,000–$2,765,000).
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 25,047 sq ft lot. Local precedent is active with 4 ADU permits within ¼ mile over the last 36 months.
Source: Unincorporated Marin zoning · CA Gov. Code 66314 & 65852.21
- ✓ 5 documented municipal building permits on file
On-parcel permit history is indexed through Nov 29, 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
- ! Mapped flood awareness zone (Zone X: 0.2% annual chance flood hazard (shaded X))
all of the lot of the parcel intersects Zone X: 0.2% annual chance flood hazard (shaded X). 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)
- ! 6 slow or stalled nearby projects within ½ mile
Closest lead: Magnolia Village (0.4 mi SE, 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 (~$28,844/yr at $2,469,000)
Sale triggers reassessment to 1.00% base + ~0.15% voter debt (~$2,404/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:
- 25,047 sq ft (0.57 ac)
- Assessor use:
- Single-Resid. - Improved
- Addresses on lot:
- 601 COLLEGE AVE
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 25,047 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: 0.2% annual chance flood hazard (shaded X) (all 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: $2,173,000 – $2,765,000 · 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)0.4 mi SE
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 home at 100 Black Log Rd (Applied)0.49 mi S
In "Applied" for 10.7 yr (since Feb 22, 2016), 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, $1,400,000 declared valuation across 1 permit).
- New home at 617 College Ave (Issued)470 ft N
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)0.13 mi N
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: Ernest Ongaro And Sons (2 on parcel, 3 in ½ mi · Plumbing / water heater / sewer); Downing Heating (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · HVAC / heat pump); Ongaro Ernest And Sons (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Plumbing / water heater / sewer); Silveira Enterprise (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Electrical / panel); Owner Builder (52 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration).
Permit & Project History on This Parcel (5 permits, 0 grouped projects)
| Record # | Category | Status | Applied / Issued | Valuation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B27921 | HVAC / heat pump | Issued | Iss. Nov 29, 2021 | $6,867 | Remove & replace existing furnace with a Carrier model 59TN6B080C2120, 96% AFUE, two stage unit. — Replace Mechanical Ap… |
| B20615 | Plumbing / water heater / sewer | Issued | Iss. Dec 17, 2019 | $3,900 | Replace water service from meter to home appox. 120ft Install new meter spud and approximately 120' of 1 Type L soft cop… |
| B17009 | Electrical / panel | Issued | Iss. Feb 5, 2019 | $2,800 | Relocte Subpanel from master closet to the exterior of house — Replace Circuits / Outlets |
| B10684 | Plumbing / water heater / sewer | Issued | Iss. Jul 21, 2016 | $2,000 | INSTALL CLEANOUT — New Plumbing Fixture(s) |
| 147465 | Plumbing / water heater / sewer |