16 Fern Way
Kentfield 94904 · Kentfield · Unincorporated Marin · Coordinates: 37.94252, -122.55344
Executive Verdict · Public-Records Synthesis
Zoned RSP-0.2 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 $2,249,000 ($1,979,000–$2,519,000).
Upsides & Opportunities
- ✓ ADU & SB 9 infill pathways screen as likely eligible
Zoned RSP-0.2 supports ministerial ADU/JADU review plus SB 9 both two-unit development and ministerial urban lot split on a 185,435 sq ft lot. Local precedent is active with 1 ADU permit within ¼ mile over the last 36 months.
Source: Unincorporated Marin zoning · CA Gov. Code 66314 & 65852.21
- ✓ Documented permitted upgrades (+$33,306 contributory est.)
Public building records show issued construction/renovation work on this parcel (7 total permits, latest Jan 19, 2024).
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
Solar / battery storage (164735): Issued after 8 mo — slower than 90% of solar / battery storage permits in Unincorporated Marin (median 0d, 90th pct 2d, n=2,977).
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: New home at 100 Black Log Rd (0.18 mi SE, 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:
- 185,435 sq ft (4.26 ac)
- Assessor use:
- Single-Resid. - Improved
- Addresses on lot:
- 16 FERN WAY
Zoning & Land Use
RSP-0.2 — Residential Single Family Planned (Unincorporated Marin)
State Housing Pathways Screen (ADU & SB 9)
- ADU or junior ADULikely eligible
Zoned RSP-0.2 (single-family residential): state law allows ADUs where homes are allowed.
- SB 9: two homes on the lotLikely eligible
Zoned RSP-0.2, a single-family residential zone.
- SB 9: split into two lotsLikely eligible
Zoned RSP-0.2, a single-family residential zone. The lot is 185,435 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: $1,979,000 – $2,519,000 · 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
- New home at 100 Black Log Rd (Applied)0.18 mi SE
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).
- Solar / battery storage (164735) (Issued)On this parcel
Issued after 8 mo — slower than 90% of solar / battery storage permits in Unincorporated Marin (median 0d, 90th pct 2d, n=2,977).
- Solar / battery storage (164734) (Issued)On this parcel
Issued after 7 mo — slower than 90% of solar / battery storage permits in Unincorporated Marin (median 0d, 90th pct 2d, n=2,977).
- Demolition at 15 Blue Ridge Rd (Issued)0.21 mi S
Active in "Issued" for 3.1 yr (first record Oct 13, 2023) with no new permit activity recorded in 2.9 yr. High-impact scale ($871,339 declared valuation across 1 permit).
Entity-resolved builders & contractors in ½ mile: James Petersen Industries (2 on parcel, 2 in ½ mi · Solar / battery storage); Sunpower (2 on parcel, 2 in ½ mi · Solar / battery storage); Haddon Heating And Cooling (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · HVAC / heat pump); Petersen Dean (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Solar / battery storage); Peter Levi Plumbing (1 on parcel, 1 in ½ mi · Plumbing / water heater / sewer).
Permit & Project History on This Parcel (7 permits, 0 grouped projects)
| Record # | Category | Status | Applied / Issued | Valuation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B36764 | Plumbing / water heater / sewer | Issued | Iss. Jan 19, 2024 | $8,000 | remove and replace existing water heater located in an interior closet with a 50 gallon Bradford White NG WH — Replace P… |
| 166166 | Solar / battery storage | Issued | Iss. Nov 4, 2020 | $18,000 | Energy Storage System |
| B23895 | HVAC / heat pump | Issued | Iss. Oct 20, 2020 | $21,593 | System Change out replacement furnace, Condenser in existing location 96% AFUE and 16 SEER — Replace Mechanical Applianc… |
| 165570 | Solar / battery storage | Issued | Iss. Aug 31, 2020 | $15,400 | Photovoltaic 4.40 Kw |
| 164735 | Solar / battery storage | Issued |