1474-1490 California St, San Francisco, CA 94109

The 12-unit, three-story apartment building at 1474-1490 California St in Nob Hill, owned by Lee Living Trust The, is a 1910 multi-family residential property currently classified as non-compliant with San Francisco's Mandatory Soft Story Retrofit Program (Tier IV). The building has undergone several significant safety and compliance improvements in recent years, with active permits issued in June 2024 for both commercial and residential soft-story retrofitting work, including a $75,000 residential retrofit and a $15,000 commercial retrofit. A comprehensive fire alarm system upgrade was completed in June 2024 at a cost of $61,713 to bring the building into compliance with current fire safety regulations.

The property has a documented history of maintenance and safety improvements, including work on fire safety systems, plumbing repairs, and structural modifications. Notable historical issues include multiple fire code violations in 2017 (now corrected), a series of maintenance complaints in 2016-2017 related to heating and plumbing systems, and past violations regarding window repairs and drainage systems. The building's maintenance history shows attention to both residential and commercial spaces, with recent work including dumpster removal, handling of garbage and debris issues, and various plumbing and electrical upgrades. A series of fire alarm activations and smoke detector incidents have been recorded, though none resulted in fire-related injuries or significant damage.

Currently, there is an active complaint (filed March 2023) regarding common areas, and previous concerns about a broken commercial window in 2021, though many earlier complaints and violations have been resolved or dismissed. The property has undergone various structural improvements over the years, including concrete work, window replacements, and storage area modifications. Recent building permits indicate ongoing commitment to seismic safety through the soft-story retrofit program, which is now in progress. The building's age and history suggest periodic maintenance challenges, particularly in addressing older infrastructure systems, though recent improvements indicate significant investment in building safety and compliance.