820 Clay St, San Francisco, CA 94108

820 Clay Street is a 3-story, multi-family residential building constructed in 1907, housing 7 units and currently owned by Song Yee & Elaine Chiu Revocable Trust. The property has undergone several significant safety upgrades in recent years, including a comprehensive fire alarm system upgrade in 2023 valued at $10,000, which included the installation of new smoke detectors, manual pull stations, and horn strobes throughout residential sleeping areas. Importantly, the building has experienced recurring fire safety issues, with violations documented between 2017-2024 related to extinguishers, sprinkler systems, and alarm systems, though most have been subsequently corrected.

The building recently faced multiple violations in September 2024 during a routine inspection, including issues with plumbing fixtures, smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, fire extinguishers, and lead paint hazards, all of which were documented as abated by January 2025. Historical improvements include a seismic upgrade completed in 2000 (costing $65,000) and reroofing work in 2001. The property has experienced recurrent maintenance issues over the years, with a notable pattern of plumbing and safety-related complaints.

Recent 311 calls from late 2024 and early 2025 primarily concerned exterior garbage and debris, though these were relatively minor and promptly addressed. The building also had a brief period requiring awning legalization in 2024, though this was successfully completed under the awning amnesty program. While the building has maintained basic requirements through various permit completions, the frequency of fire safety violations and recent inspection violations suggests ongoing compliance management challenges.