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680-688 Sutter St

Union Square, SF 94102 0283007 29 units · 6 fl · 1918

This building has a higher-than-average number of open problems nearby. Renters here report frequent, slow-to-fix problems. Get repair promises in writing and check the unit before signing.

NOVs (7y) vs. neighborhood
Compared to a typical building in Union Square
At or below average
avg 6.9
0
FewerMore

This building has 0 novs (7y), at or below the Union Square average of 6.9.

Rent & eviction protection

Is 680-688 Sutter 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 1918
2 or more units
29 units
Property type
Multi-Family Residential
Zoning
C3G
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 1918
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
Units29
Floors6
Year built1918
Total area15,996 sq ft
Property typeMulti-Family Residential
Tax statusNone
Blocklot0283007
Ownership

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

Mailing address
Academy Art University Attn 79 New Montgomery St San Francisco CA 94105
Last sale
031897

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.

680 E Sutter St, San Francisco, CA 94102
680 Sutter St, San Francisco, CA 94102
688 Sutter St, San Francisco, CA 94102
686 Sutter St, San Francisco, CA 94102
Augrented Insights
Initial analysis

The 29-unit, 6-story multi-family residential building at 680-688 Sutter Street, constructed in 1918 and currently owned by 1916 Octavia Street LLC, has experienced several significant events and ongoing maintenance issues over the past two decades. The property is currently undergoing a major transition, with recent permits filed in 2020 regarding the legalization of unit modifications, conversion to student housing, and the installation of Academy of Art University signage. A notable concern is the active violation from 2010 regarding unpermitted window replacements, hallway renovations, and a kitchen remodel in unit 204, which remains unresolved as of the latest records.

The building has undergone several important infrastructure updates, including steam boiler replacement (2018), installation of storage tanks (2016), and multiple fire safety improvements such as sprinkler head installations in 2010-2012. However, there have been recurring issues with fire safety systems, as evidenced by multiple fire-related complaints between 2021-2024, including violations for sprinkler system service requirements and building owner contact posting requirements in 2022. The property has a history of maintenance challenges, as documented in numerous housing inspection complaints, particularly during 2010 when multiple violations were recorded regarding gas ranges, laundry facilities, water heaters, and hose bibs. While many of these violations were eventually abated, the building's age and historical documentation suggest ongoing maintenance and code compliance challenges. Recent 311 calls (December 2024) indicate continuing issues with building surroundings, including reports of debris and graffiti, though these are primarily street-level concerns rather than interior building issues.

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

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Risk rating

How 680-688 Sutter 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
58th percentile

Out of 38 buildings in this neighborhood, 16 are predicted to be safer.

RiskiestSafest
Predicted 12-month outcome
10%
No DBI
violation
90%
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.

Building size

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

Building age

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

12-Month severity forecast
No violation 6.0%
Moderate concern 80.9%
Severe concern 13.1%
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

680-688 Sutter St event timeline

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

2025
311 Request Dec 08
Garbage and debris
human waste or urine
Fire ComplaintDec 08
Sleeping Area Requirement

See all 13 events

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

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Every record we have

Full data for 680-688 Sutter St apartments

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

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