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2855 Polk St

Russian Hill, SF 94109 0478001B 15 units · 3 fl · 1925

A handful of records on file over the last seven years, and our model predicts a high risk of further maintenance problems in the next 12 months. A few records worth reading before you sign. Check whether they were closed out, and ask what was actually fixed.

NOVs (7y) vs. neighborhood
Records already on file, against a typical building in Russian Hill — not a forecast
At or below average
avg 1.9
0
FewerMore

This building has 0 novs (7y), at or below the Russian Hill average of 1.9.

The bar and the rating point different ways because they measure different things: the bar counts DBI violations already on file, the rating forecasts the next 12 months.

Rent & eviction protection

Is 2855 Polk 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 1925
2 or more units
15 units
Property type
Multi-Family Residential
Zoning
RM1
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 1925
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
Units15
Floors3
Year built1925
Total area10,200 sq ft
Property typeMulti-Family Residential
Tax statusNone
Blocklot0478001B
Ownership

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

Owner name
Mailing address
4364 Rose Ln Concord CA 94518
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 15-unit apartment building at 2855 Polk Street in Russian Hill, owned by Polk 2855 LLC, is a 3-story structure built in 1925 that has undergone several significant improvements over the past decades. Most notably, the building completed its mandatory soft-story retrofit in 2016 at a cost of $90,000, demonstrating compliance with seismic safety requirements. Recent improvements include a kitchen and bathroom remodel in Unit 104 (currently in progress as of December 2024), an HVAC system upgrade in 2012, and a fire alarm system modernization completed in 2023 to meet California State Fire Marshal code requirements. The building has also addressed maintenance issues, including dry rot repair and stucco work completed in 2024, though there have been recurring complaints about peeling paint on the front and south exterior reported in June and July 2024.

Historical records show some tenant concerns in the past, including a window mold issue in 2013 and heating system problems in 1994. The building's infrastructure improvements include water heater replacement in 2010 and laundry facility upgrades in 2020. The property has maintained its compliance with major building safety requirements, as evidenced by the issuance of its CFC for the soft-story retrofit. Recent 311 calls have primarily concerned external issues such as garbage, parking violations, and tree maintenance, rather than internal building problems. While there was a fire alarm system complaint in 2019, it was promptly corrected within nine days. The building's management has generally addressed maintenance issues as they arise, with most building permits being completed in a timely manner.

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

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Risk rating

How 2855 Polk 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
15thpercentile

Out of 1133 buildings in this neighborhood, 963 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
29%
No DBI
violation
71%
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.

DBI tenant complaints (past 7 years)

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

12-Month risk forecast
High failure risk 71%
Estimated probability of receiving a DBI Notice of Violation in the next 12 months. Model: full_hgb_balanced.
Apartment reviews

2855 Polk St apartment reviews

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On the map

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The story over time

2855 Polk St event timeline

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

2025
Fire Complaint Jul 17
Sprinkler/Standpipe Systems
No Merit
Plumbing PermitJun 25
Convert studio to one bedroom per plan renovate one kitchen on bath replace (e) tub with walin in shower

See all 20 events

Full history back to 2019 — violations, complaints, permits, buyouts, and fire incidents.

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Every record we have

Full data for 2855 Polk St apartments

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

Side by side

How 2855 Polk 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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