156 S Ridgewood Rd
Kentfield 94904 · Kentfield · Unincorporated Marin · Coordinates: 37.94706, -122.55721
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 $2,530,000 ($2,226,000–$2,834,000).
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 37,244 sq ft lot. Local precedent is active with 2 ADU permits within ¼ mile over the last 36 months.
Source: Unincorporated Marin zoning · CA Gov. Code 66314 & 65852.21
- ✓ Documented permitted upgrades (+$61,380 contributory est.)
Public building records show issued construction/renovation work on this parcel (5 total permits, latest Oct 11, 2026).
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
- ! 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
Demolition at 156 S Ridgewood Rd: In "Applied" for 2.2 yr (since Sep 18, 2024), exceeding the 55d median and 261d 90th percentile for demolition permits in Unincorporated Marin (n=130).
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: Accessory dwelling unit at 432 Woodland Rd (0.4 mi NW, 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:
- 37,244 sq ft (0.86 ac)
- Assessor use:
- Single-Resid. - Improved
- Addresses on lot:
- 156 S RIDGEWOOD RD
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 37,244 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 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: $2,226,000 – $2,834,000 · 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
- Demolition at 156 S Ridgewood Rd (Applied)On this parcel
In "Applied" for 2.2 yr (since Sep 18, 2024), exceeding the 55d median and 261d 90th percentile for demolition permits in Unincorporated Marin (n=130).
- Accessory dwelling unit at 432 Woodland Rd (Applied)0.4 mi NW
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).
- Demolition (92608) (Applied)On this parcel
Pending in review for 2.2 yr (14.3× the 55d median) — slower than 90% of demolition permits in Unincorporated Marin (median 55d, 90th pct 261d, n=130).
- New home at 6 Turnagain Rd (Issued)0.17 mi NW
Active in "Issued" for 9.3 yr (first record Aug 3, 2017) with no new permit activity recorded in 9.1 yr. High-impact scale (1 housing unit, $1,196,000 declared valuation across 1 permit).
Entity-resolved builders & contractors in ½ mile: Owner Builder (1 on parcel, 43 in ½ mi · Remodel / interior alteration); Simply Solar (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Solar / battery storage); Greenlief Energy (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Other); Peter Levi Plumbing (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · HVAC / heat pump); Hendrickson Pools (10 in ½ mi · Pool / spa).
Permit & Project History on This Parcel (5 permits, 1 grouped projects)
| Record # | Category | Status | Applied / Issued | Valuation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B48727 | Other | Issued | Iss. Oct 11, 2026 | $27,886 | — |
| 177924 | Remodel / interior alteration | Issued | Iss. Oct 23, 2024 | $90,000 | Remodel (E) Carport Into (N) Garage; (N) Transom Window / Roof Dormer At Family Rm T.D. 8-5-24 |
| 92608 | Demolition | Applied | App. Sep 18, 2024 | $900 | Demo Prior To Building Permit For Conversion Of Carpot To Garage |
| B32389 | Solar / battery storage | Issued | Iss. Jan 25, 2023 | $44,400 | RESIDENTIAL PV SOLAR, FLUSH ROOF MOUNT, GRID TIED. DERATED MAIN BREAKER TO 175A. AND REMOVAL OF EXISTING PV SYSTEM. |