461-469 Chestnut St, San Francisco, CA 94133

The 7-unit, 3-story multi-family residential building at 461-469 Chestnut Street in North Beach, owned by Anthony L Varni Revoc Tr, has undergone several significant improvements since its construction in 1907. Most notably, the building completed its mandatory Tier 3 soft-story seismic retrofit in 2018 (after starting the process in 2017 with an initial permit cost of $35,000), which included the installation of shear walls and structural improvements. The property has also experienced recurring sewer issues, with multiple sewage backup incidents reported through 311 calls between 2022-2024, all involving discharge from the side sewer vent.

Building maintenance and safety have been a focus over the years, with comprehensive work done in 2017 including the installation of Hardi Plank on the rear building's west wall ($15,000) and attention to various safety compliance matters. The building's history includes several routine inspections by Housing Inspection Services, revealing past safety concerns that were subsequently addressed. These include smoke detector issues (1996 and 2005), emergency exit concerns (2005), and a lead contamination incident requiring cleanup in 2009.

A 2020 fire complaint was investigated and found to have no merit. While the building's major structural safety requirements have been addressed through the soft-story retrofit program, recent years have seen continued attention to sewer infrastructure issues, with multiple discharge incidents in 2022-2024 suggesting an ongoing maintenance challenge in this area. The property has maintained active compliance with safety regulations, as evidenced by the completion of various permits and prompt responses to inspections, though the recurring nature of sewer problems indicates this remains an area needing attention.