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1556 Clay St

Nob Hill, SF 94109 0217010 6 units · 3 fl · 1910

Nothing on record for this building in the last seven years, and our model puts it at a low risk of maintenance problems over the next 12 months. No public enforcement record to go on. Walk the building, ask the current tenants how repairs get handled, and get any promises in writing.

NOVs (7y) vs. neighborhood
Records already on file, against a typical building in Nob Hill — not a forecast
At or below average
avg 2.4
0
FewerMore

This building has 0 novs (7y), at or below the Nob Hill average of 2.4.

Rent & eviction protection

Is 1556 Clay St rent-controlled?

San Francisco's Rent Ordinance caps rent increases and provides eviction protection for most residential units built before 1979 with 2+ units. Here's how this building scores.

Built before 1979
Built 1910
2 or more units
6 units
Property type
Multi-Family Residential
Zoning
RM3
Likely rent-controlled. Building age and unit count suggest this property falls under San Francisco's Rent Ordinance.

Based on SF Assessor records. Not legal advice — confirm with the SF Rent Board.

Statewide backstop · AB 1482

California Tenant Protection Act of 2019

Even when a building isn't covered by local rent stabilization, the statewide Tenant Protection Act (AB 1482) may still apply. It caps annual rent increases and requires the landlord to state a legal reason to end most tenancies.

15+ years since occupancy
Built 1910
Annual rent increase cap
5% + CPI, max 10%
Just-cause eviction
After 12 months
Local rent control likely takes priority. This building appears to fall under the local ordinance above, which is stronger than AB 1482. Where a local just-cause ordinance applies, its rules govern instead of the state cap.

AB 1482 does not apply to single-family homes and condos unless owned by a corporation, REIT, or an LLC with a corporate member; to owner-occupied duplexes; or to deed-restricted affordable housing. The Act is in effect until January 1, 2030. Not legal advice — see the California landlord–tenant guide.

Building characteristics
Units6
Floors3
Year built1910
Total area4,191 sq ft
Property typeMulti-Family Residential
Tax statusNone
Blocklot0217010
Ownership

Registered owner per SF Assessor-Recorder (secured roll).

Mailing address
C/o Dierdre Chin 709 Westbrook Ct Danville CA 94506
Last sale

Landlord portfolio

Other SF properties this owner holds, with a risk rating for each.

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Augrented Insights
Initial analysis

The three-story, six-unit multi-family residential building at 1556 Clay Street in Nob Hill was constructed in 1910 and has undergone numerous significant modifications and repairs over the past decades, with mixed compliance regarding permits and safety requirements. The most recent major proposed renovation, filed in November 2020, seeks to convert the existing basement into a kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, and laundry room, though this permit remains in filed status as of 2023. The building has experienced recurring maintenance issues, particularly between 2009-2010, when multiple violations were documented regarding unauthorized modifications, including the conversion of storage space into an illegal apartment, water damage in Unit 5, and problems with secondary exit stairs which required a $20,000 repair. Fire safety concerns were also prominent during this period, with complaints about blocked exits and an inoperable alarm system in late 2009, though these violations were subsequently corrected.

Earlier maintenance history shows several significant issues, including a 2000 complaint regarding inadequate heating for a 91-year-old tenant, and multiple routine inspections revealing various maintenance deficiencies. Building systems upgrades have been undertaken, including reroofing in 2012, window replacement and electrical system improvements in 2010, though some work has occurred without proper permits, as noted in multiple complaints. The 2013 inspection raised concerns about interior surfaces and weather stripping, which were ultimately abated. More recent records from 2024 indicate ongoing issues with parking violations in the vicinity of the building, though these are external to the property's physical condition. The building's maintenance history reflects a pattern of reactive repairs and modifications, with some improvements to building systems and living conditions, though periodic violations and maintenance deficiencies have been recorded throughout its history.

AI-generated · may contain errors · check the source data tables below

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Risk rating

How 1556 Clay St's risk score is calculated

We trained a model on 7 years of SF DBI inspection data — notice of violation filings, complaint history, and owner track records. It estimates the probability that DBI inspectors will issue a Notice of Violation at this address in the next 12 months. Lower % = safer.

What the score means for you

Lower risk — safer than most nearby

DBI rarely finds violations here. Strong maintenance history and a clean complaint record.

Typical — about average for the neighborhood

Some past violations or complaints on record. Worth asking the landlord about any open issues before signing.

Higher risk — riskier than most nearby

Elevated violation and complaint history. DBI has found issues here before and is statistically likely to again.

Neighborhood percentile
71stpercentile

Out of 1125 buildings in this neighborhood, 326 are predicted to be safer. The band is relative to this neighborhood, so a share of every neighborhood falls in each colour.

RiskiestSafest
Predicted 12-month outcome
76%
No DBI
violation
24%
DBI violation
likely
Model explanation

What's driving this score

The three data points that most influenced this building's risk rating — ranked by the weight the model placed on each one.

Number of units

The number of units affects how the model reads complaint and violation totals — more units means more potential sources.

Neighborhood (ZIP code)

The ZIP code captures local housing market and enforcement patterns that affect all buildings in the area.

Building age

Older buildings tend to have more maintenance challenges; SF's pre-1906 earthquake housing stock carries distinct risk.

12-Month risk forecast
Low failure risk 24%
Estimated probability of receiving a DBI Notice of Violation in the next 12 months. Model: full_hgb_balanced.
Apartment reviews

1556 Clay St apartment reviews

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On the map

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The story over time

1556 Clay St event timeline

Violations, complaints, fire incidents, permits, and buyouts — most recent records in order.

2026
311 Request May 08
Garbage and debris
other loose garbage debris yard waste
311 RequestMar 01
Garbage and debris

See all 7 events

Full history back to 2020 — violations, complaints, permits, buyouts, and fire incidents.

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Every record we have

Full data for 1556 Clay St apartments

13 SF public datasets for this parcel — permits, violations, complaints, fire records, 311 calls, planning records, and buyouts.

Side by side

How 1556 Clay St compares to the neighborhood

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Cancel anytime · Data sourced from SF Open Data, DBI, SFFD, SF Rent Board & Planning

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