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78 Buchanan St

Hayes Valley, SF 94102 0872009 36 units · 6 fl · 1929

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 Hayes Valley — not a forecast
At or below average
avg 2.2
0
FewerMore

This building has 0 novs (7y), at or below the Hayes Valley average of 2.2.

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 78 Buchanan 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 1929
2 or more units
36 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 1929
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
Units36
Floors6
Year built1929
Total area41,040 sq ft
Property typeMulti-Family Residential
Tax statusNone
Blocklot0872009
Ownership

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

Mailing address
Steven C. Thrower 1 Bush St Ste 900 San Francisco CA 94104
Last sale

Landlord portfolio

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

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Augrented Insights
Initial analysis

78 Buchanan Street is a 6-story, 36-unit multi-family residential building constructed in 1929 in Hayes Valley, currently owned by Lsl Properties B14 De Llc. The building has undergone significant recent improvements, particularly related to fire safety systems, with a fire alarm system upgrade currently underway as of July 2024 to install new low frequency sounders in sleeping areas, following a cancelled attempt in July 2023. The property has experienced persistent fire safety concerns, with violations issued in March 2024 regarding UL certification and alarm systems, and an open violation from December 2023 related to sleeping area requirements. Recent substantial renovations have focused on individual unit improvements, including multiple kitchen and bathroom remodels across various units (104, 205, 204, 506) between 2017 and 2022, and the installation of washer/dryer facilities in several units. Infrastructure upgrades include the replacement of three steam boilers in July 2023.

The building has experienced several maintenance and safety issues over the years, including a significant mold complaint in 2018, electrical work without permits in 2017, and previous fire safety violations including problems with sprinklers, standpipe systems, and alarm systems. Historical complaints from 2013 indicated issues with rodent infestation, inadequate heating, and various maintenance concerns that were subsequently addressed. Recent exterior issues have been documented through 311 calls, primarily related to graffiti and sidewalk maintenance between 2024 and 2025. The property has undergone multiple tenant buyouts, with records showing payments of $15,000 and $28,000 to former tenants in 2016 and 2017, respectively.

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

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Risk rating

How 78 Buchanan 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
8thpercentile

Out of 1027 buildings in this neighborhood, 945 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
24%
No DBI
violation
76%
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.

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.

12-Month risk forecast
High failure risk 76%
Estimated probability of receiving a DBI Notice of Violation in the next 12 months. Model: full_hgb_balanced.
Apartment reviews

78 Buchanan St apartment reviews

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On the map

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The story over time

78 Buchanan St event timeline

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

2026
311 Request Jul 06
Garbage and debris
human waste or urine
311 RequestJun 21
Garbage and debris

See all 31 events

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

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Every record we have

Full data for 78 Buchanan St apartments

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

Side by side

How 78 Buchanan 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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