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Mapping 25 Pet-Friendly Rental Buildings in San Francisco

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Renting just about any apartment in San Francisco is no easy task. Dizzymaking prices, perpetually low housing inventory, and massive demand mean that landlords set the rules, and many aren't friends of Fifi. For pet-owning renters, finding a place to share with a cat or dog is becoming an ever-more-daunting feat, and sometimes it feels like there's no place to go but out of the city. Fortunately, the situation isn't completely dire, and many newer buildings are built to be pet friendly—some even with dog-walking services and pet spas on the premises. The bad news is that these new buildings are all market rate, so you won't find any rent-controlled apartments here. For that, your best bet is to stick with Craigslist (sorry), untick the boxes for cats and dogs, and call all the listings that don't expressly forbid pets. You might want to draft a pet resume, too.

· All Renters Week Coverage [Curbed SF]
· SF's Median Asking Rent for One-Bedrooms Hit $3,500 in May [Curbed SF]
· Drafting a Pet Resume to Land Your Dream Apartment [Curbed SF]

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2175 Market, Castro

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We’re always a bit miffed when we see a rental on, say, Golden Gate Park that doesn’t allow dogs. Such wasted opportunity! Located at Market and 15th streets, Forest City’s 2175 Market is close to Duboce Park, and not far from Corona Heights Park, either. When we checked in on the 88-unit building earlier this week, there was still a pair of two-bedroom, two-bath models available, for $4,806 and $5,295. A 4,000-square-foot market hall dubbed Myriad is in the works for the ground floor. Best to check with the building for their exact pet policy.

2000 Post Street, Lower Pac Heights

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2000 Post offers rentals with large bay windows, sleeping alcoves (for studios), walk-in closets, and open floor plans. Right now studios start at $2,757/month. There's a limit of two pets per apartment, with breed restrictions but no weight limit. Be prepared to shell out an extra $500 deposit per furry resident, and $85/month per pet in rent.

Ava Nob Hill

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Ava Nob Hill's pet-friendly studios, one-bedrooms, and two-bedrooms start at 2,670/month (that's for a studio). Certain units come built with some quirky chalkboard walls. Amenities include a fitness center, outdoor space complete with a fire pit, a grill, and a picnic area. Pet lovers rejoice: there's an on-site dog run for your pooch. There's a limit of two pets, a $500 deposit per animal, and $65 pet rent each. Breed restrictions can be found here.

NorthPoint Apartments, North Beach

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With summer just around the corner, why not consider a place with an outdoor pool? (Don't worry, it's heated). This cat-friendly building also includes a roof deck and a fitness center. There are currently studios, one-, and two-bedroom apartments available starting at $2,480/month (for the studios, obvs). The skimpy pet policy only mentions cats with a deposit of $250.

Fillmore Center, Western Addition

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The Fillmore Center currently has one- and two-bedrooms available starting at $2,575/month. We're particularly fond of this property because of its vast green space, which includes gardens, courtyards, waterfalls and picnic areas. There's a dog park too but, renter beware, pets must weigh less than 70 pounds and breed restrictions apply.

Avalon Hayes Valley

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The latest property in the Avalon mini-empire has been rising on the former site of the Hayes Valley Farm. When the four-building complex—designed by Pyatok Architects with associate architects Kennerly Architecture & Planning and Jon Worden—began teasing prices, eyebrows collectively raised at the notion of studios starting at $3,210/month. Now that units are renting, however, the prices at least start below three grand (though nicer finishes will cost you more). Currently studios begin at $2,970, and one-bedrooms go up from $3,700. Amenities include a 24-hour fitness center, a lounge with a fireplace, rooftop terraces, barbecue facilities, and a pet spa. The building imposes a two-pet limit, a $500 deposit per animal, and $65 pet rent each. Breed restrictions can be found here. Image via Avalon Hayes Valley

100 Van Ness, Civic Center

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Dogs and cats are welcome at the newly converted rental tower 100 Van Ness, where floor-to-ceiling windows and Juliet balconies make for fantastic views (for the most part!). The apartments come with washer-dryers and dishwashers, too. Currently, studios and one-bedrooms start in the low $3,000s and go up (steeply!) from there. Two-bedrooms start at $4,975. Amenities include a 2,300-square-foot fitness center and a roof deck with a garden, a barbecue grill, and a playground. A pool deck, basketball court, and yoga studio will be added in 2017. Up to two pets—even big dogs—are allowed but will need approval. Contact management for breed restrictions. Photo via Sergio Ruiz

Argenta, Civic Center

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Argenta, which is Latin for hand us your money, has apartments starting in the $3,800 range. The 20-story tower is a stone's throw from City Hall, UN Plaza, and the opera house, and amenities include a fitness center, a resident lounge with a movie screen, a garden terrace, and concierge service. There's a limit of two pets per apartment, a $500 deposit per pet, and $60-per-month pet rent, but no weight limit.

Nema, Mid-Market

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Nema, of course, is the dark, sleek four-tower behemoth throwing VIP shade over the Twitter building. Nema commands equally tall rents—the cheapest studio will set set you back $3,530/month, and that’s for a 471-square-foot unit on a lower floor. The building's known for its amenities, from the saline pool to the valet service you can order via text—and so of course they have not only a people spa, but also a thing called the Pet Spaw. There’s also a dog-walking service, which helps, given that Fido can’t exactly run alongside you on the treadmill at the building’s fitness center. Photo via Crescent Heights

Ava 55 9th, Mid-Market

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The 17-story, 273-unit Ava 55 Ninth opened in 2014, offering Twitter employees (and, OK, other people, too) a rental option that isn’t Nema. When we recently scoured the listings, one-bedrooms were starting at $3,705, and two-bedrooms began at $4,300. Apartments come with chalkboard walls plus an in-unit washer-dryer, which will be necessary every time you accidentally rub up against the chalkboard wall. There’s a fitness center on-site, plus a dog run and a pet-wash station. As usual, there's a limit of two pets, a $500 deposit per animal, and $65 pet rent each. Breed restrictions can be found here.

Geary Courtyard, Tenderloin

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Geary Courtyard is great for those who are willing to sacrifice space for the privilege of living right downtown. The complex is within walking distance of the shops of Union Square, and there's also on-site laundry and a fitness center. Right now, studios start at $2,707/month and one-bedrooms go up from $3,230. Cats and dogs are welcome, but all the usual caveats about breed restrictions, pet deposits, and pet rent apply. Contact the building for specifics.

Soma at 788

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Soma at 788 has, for some reason, not one but two business centers plus a conference room, a ground-floor Whole Foods, and covered parking. Right now, studios start at $2,791/month. Best to contact the building for their pet policy.

SoMa Square

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Let's get the most important news out of the way: there's a dog park on-site. Now then, one-bedrooms start at $3,506 and two-bedrooms go up from $5,089. Building amenities include a heated pool and spa, a fitness center, and picnic areas with a barbecue. Cats and dogs are welcome, but all the usual caveats about breed restrictions, pet deposits, and pet rent apply. Contact the building for specifics.

Potrero Launch, Potrero Hill

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Potrero Launch has 196 residential lofts that range from studios to two-bedrooms. The apartments are spread over two historic brick warehouses on Third Street and new buildings on Third and Illinois. Amenities include concierge services, an on-site childcare center, indoor parking, a spa and grilling area, a yoga and fitness center, a landscaped rooftop with a sun deck and, ta-da, a rooftop dog run. Studios start at $2,937/month. A max of two pets is allowed, and prepare to shell out an additional deposit of $500 and monthly pet rent of $50 per pet. Breed restrictions also apply.

38 Dolores, The Mission

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38 Dolores is an 81-unit luxury rental building. The property bills itself as a “soiree for the senses,” with amenities including an “outdoor living room" with a fire pit and a community room. There's a two-pet limit, with a $500 deposit per pet; details about breed restrictions live here. The pet rent is tiered by weight and species, but the good news is you won't pay double pet rent for two pets.

Vara Apartments, Mission

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This 202-unit building is a mix of studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments. Building amenities include an interior courtyard, a fitness center, and a “tech room for getting work done." When we took a peek recently, there was a one-bedroom in the $3,945 range available now, a one-bedroom around $5,287 coming up in mid-June, and a one-bedroom around $4,564 coming up in mid-July. Best to check with the building for details on pet restrictions.

The Ashton, Bayview

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Down with living way out in Executive Park? Ashton may be for you. This Candlestick Point-adjacent property is great if you have a car, but don't plan on walking to retail spots or restaurants anytime soon. The cheapest units start at $3,210, and deposits are low by San Francisco standards. Building amenities include a fitness club with an "aqua bar," an outdoor fire pit and lounge, a resident wine cellar with climate-controlled bottle storage, dry cleaning services, and complimentary BART and Caltrain shuttles. Two pets per apartment, no weight limit, $300 deposit per pet and $60/month per-animal pet rent.

Avalon Ocean Avenue

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Here at Avalon Ocean Avenue, studios begin at $2,835, one-bedrooms start at $3,140, and two-bedrooms will run you at least $3,640. There’s also a Whole Foods on the ground floor. You know the drill at Avalon by now: a limit of two pets, a $500 deposit per animal, and $65 pet rent each. Breed restrictions can be found here.

Carmel Rincon, South Beach

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If you and your pooch want to get up close and personal with San Francisco's waterfront, Carmel Rincon is a great option. There are two high-rise towers that loom over the Embarcadero waterfront. Right now there are one- and two-bedroom units available, starting at $3,150/month. Some of the apartments have highlights like private balconies and walk-in closets. Building amenities include concierge services, on-site laundry, a grocery store, and rooftop terraces and patios. It's best to contact the building for their pet policy, but they do list pet grooming and walking among the available amenities.

388 Beale Street, South Beach

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388 Beale Street's rentals offer up ample sunlight and tons of closet space. They also feature in-unit laundry. Select apartments offer wood-burning fireplaces and balconies. Right now there are one- and two-bedroom units available starting at $3,885. Cats and dogs (with breed restrictions) are allowed with no weight limit, but there's a per-pet extra deposit of $500 and a per-pet monthly rent of $85. And there's a two-pet limit.

Azure, Mission Bay

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Azure (née Sol) is still wrapping up construction in Mission Bay, but its 273 one- and two-bedrooms could be ready to start receiving residents in July. Designed by HKS Architects and developed by Equity Residential, the 16-story tower is a 15-minute walk from Safeway and Whole Foods, and units enjoy views of AT&T Park and the bay. Apartments come equipped with stacked washer-dryer units, balconies, and “wood-style flooring.” One-bedrooms start at $3,575, and two-bedrooms begin at $4,750. There are two grills on the premises, plus reserved parking in the garage and, most importantly, a dog park and a pet-washing station. Both cats and dogs are welcome, but contact the building for breed restrictions.

Avalon at Mission Bay North

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Available studios at Avalon Mission Bay are now starting at $3,275. One-bedrooms start at $3,480, and two-bedrooms begin at $4,685. Amenities range from a bocce ball court to a courtyard with fireplaces, an outdoor movie theater, and the requisite barbecue areas. There's also a climbing wall, a spa, and an indoor basketball court. As usual with Avalon buildings, a two-pet limit is in effect, and prepare to shell out an extra $500 deposit per animal, and $65 pet rent each. Breed restrictions can be found here.

Strata, Mission Bay

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Strata has one- and two-bedroom apartments available as well as townhouse residences. Each unit has in-unit laundry; plus, there's a 20,000-square-foot outdoor courtyard. One-bedrooms may run you around $3,260, based on current availability. There’s a two-pet max, and a $500 deposit, plus $50 monthly pet rent, with breed restrictions.

The Presidio Residences

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Much of the appeal of living in the Presidio is how quiet it is, but you're just a short walk or drive away from the action of neighborhoods like the Marina or the Richmond District. There's a plethora of different housing options available, including six-bedroom homes, though it looks like inventory is zilch right now. Worth keeping an eye on, if only for the chance to live in a national park. Most rentals appear to require an additional $500 deposit for pets.

Parkmerced, Lake Merced

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At Parkmerced, you'll find a mix of unit types in high-rises and townhomes. High-rise one-bedrooms are currently renting for between $2,695 and $3,325. The development spans acres of land and features lawns galore, gardens, tree-lined streets, playgrounds, and trails. Most breeds of dogs and cats are a-OK, and there's even a fenced-in pet park where your dog can go off leash.

2175 Market, Castro

We’re always a bit miffed when we see a rental on, say, Golden Gate Park that doesn’t allow dogs. Such wasted opportunity! Located at Market and 15th streets, Forest City’s 2175 Market is close to Duboce Park, and not far from Corona Heights Park, either. When we checked in on the 88-unit building earlier this week, there was still a pair of two-bedroom, two-bath models available, for $4,806 and $5,295. A 4,000-square-foot market hall dubbed Myriad is in the works for the ground floor. Best to check with the building for their exact pet policy.

2000 Post Street, Lower Pac Heights

2000 Post offers rentals with large bay windows, sleeping alcoves (for studios), walk-in closets, and open floor plans. Right now studios start at $2,757/month. There's a limit of two pets per apartment, with breed restrictions but no weight limit. Be prepared to shell out an extra $500 deposit per furry resident, and $85/month per pet in rent.

Ava Nob Hill

Ava Nob Hill's pet-friendly studios, one-bedrooms, and two-bedrooms start at 2,670/month (that's for a studio). Certain units come built with some quirky chalkboard walls. Amenities include a fitness center, outdoor space complete with a fire pit, a grill, and a picnic area. Pet lovers rejoice: there's an on-site dog run for your pooch. There's a limit of two pets, a $500 deposit per animal, and $65 pet rent each. Breed restrictions can be found here.

NorthPoint Apartments, North Beach

With summer just around the corner, why not consider a place with an outdoor pool? (Don't worry, it's heated). This cat-friendly building also includes a roof deck and a fitness center. There are currently studios, one-, and two-bedroom apartments available starting at $2,480/month (for the studios, obvs). The skimpy pet policy only mentions cats with a deposit of $250.

Fillmore Center, Western Addition

The Fillmore Center currently has one- and two-bedrooms available starting at $2,575/month. We're particularly fond of this property because of its vast green space, which includes gardens, courtyards, waterfalls and picnic areas. There's a dog park too but, renter beware, pets must weigh less than 70 pounds and breed restrictions apply.

Avalon Hayes Valley

The latest property in the Avalon mini-empire has been rising on the former site of the Hayes Valley Farm. When the four-building complex—designed by Pyatok Architects with associate architects Kennerly Architecture & Planning and Jon Worden—began teasing prices, eyebrows collectively raised at the notion of studios starting at $3,210/month. Now that units are renting, however, the prices at least start below three grand (though nicer finishes will cost you more). Currently studios begin at $2,970, and one-bedrooms go up from $3,700. Amenities include a 24-hour fitness center, a lounge with a fireplace, rooftop terraces, barbecue facilities, and a pet spa. The building imposes a two-pet limit, a $500 deposit per animal, and $65 pet rent each. Breed restrictions can be found here. Image via Avalon Hayes Valley

100 Van Ness, Civic Center

Dogs and cats are welcome at the newly converted rental tower 100 Van Ness, where floor-to-ceiling windows and Juliet balconies make for fantastic views (for the most part!). The apartments come with washer-dryers and dishwashers, too. Currently, studios and one-bedrooms start in the low $3,000s and go up (steeply!) from there. Two-bedrooms start at $4,975. Amenities include a 2,300-square-foot fitness center and a roof deck with a garden, a barbecue grill, and a playground. A pool deck, basketball court, and yoga studio will be added in 2017. Up to two pets—even big dogs—are allowed but will need approval. Contact management for breed restrictions. Photo via Sergio Ruiz

Argenta, Civic Center

Argenta, which is Latin for hand us your money, has apartments starting in the $3,800 range. The 20-story tower is a stone's throw from City Hall, UN Plaza, and the opera house, and amenities include a fitness center, a resident lounge with a movie screen, a garden terrace, and concierge service. There's a limit of two pets per apartment, a $500 deposit per pet, and $60-per-month pet rent, but no weight limit.

Nema, Mid-Market

Nema, of course, is the dark, sleek four-tower behemoth throwing VIP shade over the Twitter building. Nema commands equally tall rents—the cheapest studio will set set you back $3,530/month, and that’s for a 471-square-foot unit on a lower floor. The building's known for its amenities, from the saline pool to the valet service you can order via text—and so of course they have not only a people spa, but also a thing called the Pet Spaw. There’s also a dog-walking service, which helps, given that Fido can’t exactly run alongside you on the treadmill at the building’s fitness center. Photo via Crescent Heights

Ava 55 9th, Mid-Market

The 17-story, 273-unit Ava 55 Ninth opened in 2014, offering Twitter employees (and, OK, other people, too) a rental option that isn’t Nema. When we recently scoured the listings, one-bedrooms were starting at $3,705, and two-bedrooms began at $4,300. Apartments come with chalkboard walls plus an in-unit washer-dryer, which will be necessary every time you accidentally rub up against the chalkboard wall. There’s a fitness center on-site, plus a dog run and a pet-wash station. As usual, there's a limit of two pets, a $500 deposit per animal, and $65 pet rent each. Breed restrictions can be found here.

Geary Courtyard, Tenderloin

Geary Courtyard is great for those who are willing to sacrifice space for the privilege of living right downtown. The complex is within walking distance of the shops of Union Square, and there's also on-site laundry and a fitness center. Right now, studios start at $2,707/month and one-bedrooms go up from $3,230. Cats and dogs are welcome, but all the usual caveats about breed restrictions, pet deposits, and pet rent apply. Contact the building for specifics.

Soma at 788

Soma at 788 has, for some reason, not one but two business centers plus a conference room, a ground-floor Whole Foods, and covered parking. Right now, studios start at $2,791/month. Best to contact the building for their pet policy.

SoMa Square

Let's get the most important news out of the way: there's a dog park on-site. Now then, one-bedrooms start at $3,506 and two-bedrooms go up from $5,089. Building amenities include a heated pool and spa, a fitness center, and picnic areas with a barbecue. Cats and dogs are welcome, but all the usual caveats about breed restrictions, pet deposits, and pet rent apply. Contact the building for specifics.

Potrero Launch, Potrero Hill

Potrero Launch has 196 residential lofts that range from studios to two-bedrooms. The apartments are spread over two historic brick warehouses on Third Street and new buildings on Third and Illinois. Amenities include concierge services, an on-site childcare center, indoor parking, a spa and grilling area, a yoga and fitness center, a landscaped rooftop with a sun deck and, ta-da, a rooftop dog run. Studios start at $2,937/month. A max of two pets is allowed, and prepare to shell out an additional deposit of $500 and monthly pet rent of $50 per pet. Breed restrictions also apply.

38 Dolores, The Mission

38 Dolores is an 81-unit luxury rental building. The property bills itself as a “soiree for the senses,” with amenities including an “outdoor living room" with a fire pit and a community room. There's a two-pet limit, with a $500 deposit per pet; details about breed restrictions live here. The pet rent is tiered by weight and species, but the good news is you won't pay double pet rent for two pets.

Vara Apartments, Mission

This 202-unit building is a mix of studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments. Building amenities include an interior courtyard, a fitness center, and a “tech room for getting work done." When we took a peek recently, there was a one-bedroom in the $3,945 range available now, a one-bedroom around $5,287 coming up in mid-June, and a one-bedroom around $4,564 coming up in mid-July. Best to check with the building for details on pet restrictions.

The Ashton, Bayview

Down with living way out in Executive Park? Ashton may be for you. This Candlestick Point-adjacent property is great if you have a car, but don't plan on walking to retail spots or restaurants anytime soon. The cheapest units start at $3,210, and deposits are low by San Francisco standards. Building amenities include a fitness club with an "aqua bar," an outdoor fire pit and lounge, a resident wine cellar with climate-controlled bottle storage, dry cleaning services, and complimentary BART and Caltrain shuttles. Two pets per apartment, no weight limit, $300 deposit per pet and $60/month per-animal pet rent.

Avalon Ocean Avenue

Here at Avalon Ocean Avenue, studios begin at $2,835, one-bedrooms start at $3,140, and two-bedrooms will run you at least $3,640. There’s also a Whole Foods on the ground floor. You know the drill at Avalon by now: a limit of two pets, a $500 deposit per animal, and $65 pet rent each. Breed restrictions can be found here.

Carmel Rincon, South Beach

If you and your pooch want to get up close and personal with San Francisco's waterfront, Carmel Rincon is a great option. There are two high-rise towers that loom over the Embarcadero waterfront. Right now there are one- and two-bedroom units available, starting at $3,150/month. Some of the apartments have highlights like private balconies and walk-in closets. Building amenities include concierge services, on-site laundry, a grocery store, and rooftop terraces and patios. It's best to contact the building for their pet policy, but they do list pet grooming and walking among the available amenities.

388 Beale Street, South Beach

388 Beale Street's rentals offer up ample sunlight and tons of closet space. They also feature in-unit laundry. Select apartments offer wood-burning fireplaces and balconies. Right now there are one- and two-bedroom units available starting at $3,885. Cats and dogs (with breed restrictions) are allowed with no weight limit, but there's a per-pet extra deposit of $500 and a per-pet monthly rent of $85. And there's a two-pet limit.

Azure, Mission Bay

Azure (née Sol) is still wrapping up construction in Mission Bay, but its 273 one- and two-bedrooms could be ready to start receiving residents in July. Designed by HKS Architects and developed by Equity Residential, the 16-story tower is a 15-minute walk from Safeway and Whole Foods, and units enjoy views of AT&T Park and the bay. Apartments come equipped with stacked washer-dryer units, balconies, and “wood-style flooring.” One-bedrooms start at $3,575, and two-bedrooms begin at $4,750. There are two grills on the premises, plus reserved parking in the garage and, most importantly, a dog park and a pet-washing station. Both cats and dogs are welcome, but contact the building for breed restrictions.

Avalon at Mission Bay North

Available studios at Avalon Mission Bay are now starting at $3,275. One-bedrooms start at $3,480, and two-bedrooms begin at $4,685. Amenities range from a bocce ball court to a courtyard with fireplaces, an outdoor movie theater, and the requisite barbecue areas. There's also a climbing wall, a spa, and an indoor basketball court. As usual with Avalon buildings, a two-pet limit is in effect, and prepare to shell out an extra $500 deposit per animal, and $65 pet rent each. Breed restrictions can be found here.

Strata, Mission Bay

Strata has one- and two-bedroom apartments available as well as townhouse residences. Each unit has in-unit laundry; plus, there's a 20,000-square-foot outdoor courtyard. One-bedrooms may run you around $3,260, based on current availability. There’s a two-pet max, and a $500 deposit, plus $50 monthly pet rent, with breed restrictions.

The Presidio Residences

Much of the appeal of living in the Presidio is how quiet it is, but you're just a short walk or drive away from the action of neighborhoods like the Marina or the Richmond District. There's a plethora of different housing options available, including six-bedroom homes, though it looks like inventory is zilch right now. Worth keeping an eye on, if only for the chance to live in a national park. Most rentals appear to require an additional $500 deposit for pets.

Parkmerced, Lake Merced

At Parkmerced, you'll find a mix of unit types in high-rises and townhomes. High-rise one-bedrooms are currently renting for between $2,695 and $3,325. The development spans acres of land and features lawns galore, gardens, tree-lined streets, playgrounds, and trails. Most breeds of dogs and cats are a-OK, and there's even a fenced-in pet park where your dog can go off leash.