601 Chestnut St, San Francisco, CA 94133

The two-story, four-unit multi-family residential building at 601 Chestnut Street in North Beach, owned by William Dere, has a history dating back to 1907. The building has undergone several significant events and inspections over the years, with the most pressing concerns emerging in recent years.

Currently, there is an open violation regarding sleeping area requirements from November 2023, while a previous alarm system maintenance violation from April 2022 was abated. A routine housing inspection in December 2015 revealed multiple safety issues including egress obstructions, fire extinguisher requirements, and gas meter instructions, though all these violations were promptly resolved by January 2016. The building has experienced a recurring pattern of fire safety system concerns, with violations and complaints documented between 2011 and 2024 related to alarm systems, sprinkler systems, and sleeping area requirements.

Notably, there have been multiple instances of false alarms and smoke detector activations with no actual fires, suggesting some potential issues with system reliability. Recent 311 calls from late 2024 to early 2025 indicate ongoing neighborhood challenges with garbage and debris, though these primarily relate to street conditions rather than building-specific issues. The property previously attempted to convert parking space to living area at the adjacent address (2165-2169 Mason St), but proposals were either disapproved or closed without action.