1319-1325 Mason St, San Francisco, CA 94133

The 12-unit apartment building at 1319-1325 Mason Street in Nob Hill, owned by Gene W Y & Flora H Yee Trust, has been a four-story multi-family residential structure since its construction in 1927. The building is currently classified as a Tier 4 Non-Compliant property under the Mandatory Soft Story Retrofit Program, with violations issued in 2023 regarding non-completion of required seismic retrofitting work. Recent fire safety upgrades have been implemented, including a significant fire alarm system improvement completed in October 2023, costing over $30,000, which included the installation of manual pull stations, smoke detectors, and low-frequency audibles in the sleeping areas.

The building has a documented history of fire safety concerns, with multiple fire violations and complaints over the years related to alarm systems, extinguisher maintenance, and sleeping area requirements, though most have been corrected or abated. The property has undergone several major improvements and faced various building-related issues over the years. Significant past work includes a residential and commercial soft-story retrofit filed in 2018, reroofing in 2016 ($25,000 investment), and heating system replacement in 2011.

The building has experienced recurring fire safety system issues, with six fire complaints related to alarm systems between 2014 and 2023, though these were generally addressed promptly. Multiple routine inspections have been conducted between 2000 and 2023, revealing various maintenance requirements including stair repairs, egress obstructions, and the need for compliance affidavits. A concerning pattern of housing quality issues was documented in a 2022 complaint regarding unit 102, noting problems with insects/rodents, mold, ceiling leaks, and broken appliances, though this was marked as not active. While many historical violations have been resolved, the building's current non-compliant status in the Soft Story program and periodic fire safety system issues suggest ongoing challenges with maintaining full regulatory compliance and building safety standards.