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3 Commonwealth Ave

Jordan Park/Laurel Heights, SF 94118 1038001 9 units · 3 fl · 1921

A handful of records on file over the last seven years, and our model sees a moderate chance of more 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 Jordan Park/Laurel Heights — not a forecast
At or below average
avg 0.9
0
FewerMore

This building has 0 novs (7y), at or below the Jordan Park/Laurel Heights average of 0.9.

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 3 Commonwealth Ave 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 1921
2 or more units
9 units
Property type
Multi-Family Residential
Zoning
RM2
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 1921
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
Units9
Floors3
Year built1921
Total area9,540 sq ft
Property typeMulti-Family Residential
Tax statusNone
Blocklot1038001
Ownership

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

Owner name
Mailing address
220 Montgomery St Ste 1940 San Francisco CA 94104
Last sale
November 12, 2014

Landlord portfolio

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

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Augrented Insights
Initial analysis

The 3 Commonwealth Ave property, a 3-story, 9-unit multi-family residential building constructed in 1921 and currently owned by Jordan Park LLC, has undergone several significant improvements and maintenance work over the past decade. Most recently, in 2022, the building received important fire safety upgrades, including a fire alarm system replacement with new control panel, smoke detectors, and low-frequency sounders to enhance resident safety compliance. The building completed its mandatory soft-story retrofit in 2016 (cost: $108,000) to improve seismic safety. Other notable infrastructure work includes plumbing system upgrades with the replacement of cast iron pipes in 2022, a new domestic and steam heat boiler installation in 2018, and several unit-specific renovations, particularly in Units 2, 6, and 8, focusing on kitchen and bathroom improvements. The building has maintained compliance with safety requirements, though there was a brief period in 2018 involving violations related to boiler permits, which were promptly addressed within days of citation.

The property's maintenance history shows regular attention to building envelope issues, including stucco replacement and insulation work in 2020 to address leaking on the south side (cost: $39,000), and structural repairs to stairs at the back of the house in 2019. Fire safety systems have been a focus area, with multiple fire alarm system activations recorded (all determined to be unintentional) and periodic fire complaints showing minor issues such as blocked exits (2023) and extinguisher concerns (2017). The building has a history of routine inspections and prompt resolution of violations, with the most recent 311 calls primarily concerning outside issues like sidewalk cleaning and parking violations. Recent planning records from 2023 indicate the installation of Verizon Wireless equipment on an existing pole, showing continued infrastructure improvements in the vicinity. The building's completed soft-story retrofit and ongoing maintenance demonstrate active management, though potential tenants should note the building's age and the nature of older building systems requiring periodic updates.

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

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Risk rating

How 3 Commonwealth Ave'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
12thpercentile

Out of 272 buildings in this neighborhood, 239 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
46%
No DBI
violation
54%
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
Moderate failure risk 54%
Estimated probability of receiving a DBI Notice of Violation in the next 12 months. Model: full_hgb_balanced.
Apartment reviews

3 Commonwealth Ave apartment reviews

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On the map

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8 found
The story over time

3 Commonwealth Ave event timeline

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

2026
Fire Complaint Mar 18
Alarm Systems

See all 13 events

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

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Every record we have

Full data for 3 Commonwealth Ave apartments

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

Side by side

How 3 Commonwealth Ave compares to the neighborhood

This building against comparable properties in Jordan Park/Laurel Heights. Toggle filters to narrow the peer group.

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