843-855 Clay St, San Francisco, CA 94108

The 29-unit, 4-story apartment building at 843-855 Clay Street, owned by the S F Lodge Chinese American and constructed in 1908, has experienced several significant events, most notably a major fire incident in January 2012 that affected multiple units and the basement, requiring substantial repairs to drywall, painting, insulation, and electrical systems at a cost of over $130,000. The building has undergone several important safety upgrades in recent years, including a fire alarm system upgrade in late 2023 costing $93,634 to comply with current fire code requirements, and the installation of additional smoke detectors in 2024.

Multiple fire safety violations have been documented and addressed between 2017-2023, including issues with alarm systems, extinguishers, and sleeping area requirements, though most recent violations from late 2023 have been abated. There are currently two active complaints regarding vacant commercial storefronts (filed in 2020), and the building has experienced recurring maintenance issues, as evidenced by multiple 311 calls for garbage and debris on the property and surrounding area in late 2024.

The property underwent a seismic retrofit in 2004, and numerous building improvements have been made over the years, including electrical system upgrades and plumbing repairs, though many older building violations from 2006-2019 have been resolved. The building has maintained its multi-family residential use classification and continues to operate under its original use code definition despite the various issues and incidents recorded over time.