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138 Arguello Blvd

Presidio Heights, SF 94118 0991022 3 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 Presidio Heights — not a forecast
At or below average
avg 1.2
0
FewerMore

This building has 0 novs (7y), at or below the Presidio Heights average of 1.2.

Rent & eviction protection

Is 138 Arguello Blvd 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
3 units
Property type
Multi-Family Residential
Zoning
RH2
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
Units3
Floors3
Year built1910
Total area2,770 sq ft
Property typeMulti-Family Residential
Tax statusHome Owners
Blocklot0991022
Ownership

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

Mailing address
L Wallace & Ellen A Macderm 138 Arguello Blvd San Francisco CA 94118
Last sale
November 13, 2000

Landlord portfolio

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

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Augrented Insights
Initial analysis

This three-unit, three-story multi-family residential building located at 138 Arguello Boulevard in Presidio Heights was constructed in 1910 and is currently owned by the Macdermid Family Revocable Trust. The property has undergone several significant renovations in recent years, with the most substantial work occurring in 2019 when comprehensive improvements were made including a kitchen remodel, rear sitting room updates, new windows and doors, skylight installations, and bathroom renovations, totaling approximately $75,000. The building received additional modifications in 2019 involving the removal of an existing bay window and skylight, installation of new windows, and expansion of the rear bay feature, followed by foundation extensions at the rear. Earlier improvements include important structural work in 2005 when the building was bolted to its foundation and received permanent joist supports ($8,000), while the third-floor bathroom was remodeled in 2009 with associated plumbing and electrical upgrades.

Recent history (2023-2024) shows multiple parking-related incidents near the property, with several citations issued for blocked driveways and other violations, suggesting ongoing challenges with street parking management in the area. The building's maintenance record is positive, showing regular upkeep and modernization efforts, including a PG&E underground conversion upgrade in 2004 and roof work in 1997. A single fire-related incident was recorded with a smoke detector activation, though no fire occurred and there were no civilian injuries. The property's planning records reveal various approved projects, including exterior additions and alterations, and a 2019 interior and exterior remodel that focused on the rear of the building, adding new windows, doors, parapet, and siding modifications without increasing the building's volume.

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

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Risk rating

How 138 Arguello Blvd'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
58thpercentile

Out of 181 buildings in this neighborhood, 76 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
80%
No DBI
violation
20%
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 age

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

Owner's portfolio size

Number of SF parcels this owner is registered on — larger portfolios have distinct risk patterns.

Notices of Violation, owner's portfolio

DBI NOVs across all buildings this owner is registered on — a signal of systemic maintenance issues across the portfolio.

12-Month risk forecast
Low failure risk 20%
Estimated probability of receiving a DBI Notice of Violation in the next 12 months. Model: full_hgb_balanced.
Apartment reviews

138 Arguello Blvd apartment reviews

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The story over time

138 Arguello Blvd event timeline

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

2026
Building Permit Jul 29
Replace stairs ballusters in kind, replace windows sashes in-kind paint
$30,000 · Issued
Planning RecordApr 09
Historic Resource Review

See all 11 events

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

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Every record we have

Full data for 138 Arguello Blvd apartments

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

Side by side

How 138 Arguello Blvd compares to the neighborhood

This building against comparable properties in Presidio Heights. Toggle filters to narrow the peer group.

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

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