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1245-1249 Clay St

Nob Hill, SF 94108 0221034 3 units · 3 fl · 1909

This building has a higher-than-average number of open problems nearby. Few open issues; problems get fixed quickly. A reasonable bet for a smooth tenancy.

NOVs (7y) vs. neighborhood
Compared to a typical building in Nob Hill
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 1245-1249 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 1909
2 or more units
3 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 1909
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
Units3
Floors3
Year built1909
Total area3,990 sq ft
Property typeMulti-Family Residential
Tax statusNone
Blocklot0221034
Ownership

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

Mailing address
Fay Hing Chow 1360 Murchison Dr Millbrae CA 94030
Last sale
000000

Landlord portfolio

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

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Multiple entrances & addresses

Included addresses

All street addresses sharing this blocklot that are covered by this report.

1249 Clay St, San Francisco, CA 94108
1245 Clay St, San Francisco, CA 94108
1247 Clay St, San Francisco, CA 94108
Augrented Insights
Initial analysis

The three-unit residential building at 1245-1249 Clay Street in Nob Hill, owned by the 1990 Chow Trust The and constructed in 1909, has a history marked by several significant events, particularly concerning building code compliance and unauthorized modifications. Most recently, in May 2021, there was a complaint about unpermitted work including a possible whole unit remodel with late construction hours, though this was resolved within two weeks. The building has undergone multiple code compliance matters, including a notable violation in 1999 (Case #199923232) that led to several related permits, requiring siding replacement due to dry rot near the roof access. In 2005, the building underwent work to address this violation, including the addition of a stairway cover and access door at the roof, with subsequent permit renewals in 2006 showing the completion of this work. There was a confirmed egress obstruction incident in 2002 involving boxes and personal belongings along rear stairs, though this was quickly resolved within one month.

The property's permit history also reveals attempts to address various structural elements, including a stairwell cover proposed in 1994 (permit canceled) and the abatement of a violation in 1993 (permit expired). A routine inspection in 2011 and the issuance of a 311 call in 2019 regarding street cleaning and loose garbage were recorded, along with a fire-related complaint in 2006 that was promptly corrected. The only recorded fire incident was a false alarm with no civilian injuries. The building's permit and violation history suggests ongoing maintenance and compliance efforts, with particular attention required for various roof and stairway access issues over the years, while more recent years have shown fewer housing violations or safety concerns, aside from the 2021 unpermitted work complaint.

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

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Risk rating

How 1245-1249 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

Grade A–B — Low risk

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

Grade C — Moderate risk

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

Grade D–F — High risk

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

Neighborhood percentile
48th percentile

Out of 1125 buildings in this neighborhood, 585 are predicted to be safer.

RiskiestSafest
Predicted 12-month outcome
61%
No DBI
violation
39%
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.

Building size

Total floor area — a proxy for building scale and the number of systems (plumbing, electrical, HVAC) that can fail.

DBI tenant complaints (past 7 years)

Formal complaints tenants filed with DBI about this building over 7 years.

Neighborhood (ZIP code)

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

12-Month severity forecast
No violation 39.3%
Moderate concern 24.5%
Severe concern 36.2%
Estimated probability of receiving a DBI Notice of Violation in the next 12 months at each severity level. Model: full_hgb_balanced.
Apartment reviews

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The story over time

1245-1249 Clay St event timeline

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

2021
DBI Complaint May 28
Work without permit. possible whole unit remodel. they're starting work in the afternoon until the late evening around 9:30pm sometimes.
Building Inspection Division

See all 1 events

Full history back to 2021 — violations, complaints, permits, buyouts, and fire incidents.

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Every record we have

Full data for 1245-1249 Clay St apartments

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

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