540-550 Filbert St, San Francisco, CA 94133

The 540-550 Filbert Street building is a 3-story, 18-unit multi-family residential structure built in 1909 in the Telegraph Hill neighborhood. The property currently faces significant compliance issues regarding seismic safety, as it is listed as Non-Compliant with San Francisco's mandatory soft story retrofit requirements (Tier 3). Despite obtaining various permits and beginning retrofitting work in 2016 with estimated costs of $80,000, the retrofit program remains incomplete as of 2020, leading to an active violation for failure to complete all associated work and obtain the required final signoff and certificate of completion.

Recent improvements include a completed $83,000 fire alarm system upgrade in 2023 to meet current fire code requirements, which involved installing low-frequency sounders in sleeping areas and updating the fire panel and devices. The building has experienced recurring fire safety issues, with multiple violations and complaints regarding alarm systems, sprinkler/standpipe systems, and sleeping area requirements between 2017 and 2024. Historical maintenance concerns include significant issues in 2000 with roof problems causing leaks into units, inadequate stairway lighting, and security violations, most of which were resolved within weeks.

The building underwent some unit-specific renovations in 2018 involving plumbing and electrical work, and there was a complaint about unpermitted window installations in 2005 that was subsequently abated. The property has had various routine inspections and maintenance issues over the years, including a recent complaint from 2020 regarding pest and mold issues, though this case is currently listed as not active. Recent external issues have been minimal and primarily relate to parking and street maintenance concerns. The building's tree-related sidewalk damage issue reported in December 2023 is still open, though this is more of a public infrastructure concern than a building maintenance issue.