401-421 Ellis St, San Francisco, CA 94102

The 23-unit, 4-story apartment building at 401-421 Ellis Street, owned by the Oh Family Trust 2008 and built in 1907, has experienced significant maintenance and safety issues over recent years, with the most pressing concerns centered around plumbing and fire safety systems. In 2025, residents reported water intrusion, damaged walls, mold, and a gas leak in Unit 105, while multiple sewer-related complaints emerged in mid-2024, including reports of collapsed sewer lines and defective house traps.

The building underwent major plumbing work in 2023-2024, including boiler replacements and sewer main/house trap work. Fire safety systems have been a recurring concern, with violations and complaints about alarm systems, sprinklers, and extinguishers documented as recently as May 2024, though many historical fire violations from 2006-2019 show previous issues with system maintenance and compliance.

Recent building activity includes a pending change of use from bar to retail store as of July 2024, and ongoing investigations into unpermitted construction and electrical work in 2024. The building's maintenance history shows regular repairs and updates, including a fire alarm panel replacement in 2022, reroofing projects, and various street space permits, though many historical violations from the 2000s indicate a pattern of safety and maintenance challenges that required correction. While some recent complaints have been marked as "not active," the building continues to experience infrastructure challenges, particularly in plumbing and fire safety systems, that warrant attention.