1280 Lombard St, San Francisco, CA 94109

The 13-unit, 3-story multi-family residential building at 1280 Lombard Street in San Francisco's Russian Hill neighborhood, owned by Mehan Properties LLC and constructed in 1927, has undergone several significant safety and infrastructure improvements over the past decade. Most notably, the building completed a mandatory soft-story retrofit in 2017 (at a cost of $120,000) and has addressed fire safety concerns through various sprinkler system installations and upgrades. Recent attention has turned to dryer venting issues, with permits issued in late 2024 to install a dryer booster fan and secondary lint trap, following complaints about improperly installed appliances causing leaks and vent problems in the garage area (complaint filed September 2024).

The building's history shows a mix of routine maintenance and response to safety violations, particularly in early 2023 when multiple building code violations were identified, including issues with fire escapes, smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, air quality, and weatherproofing. These violations were generally abated by March 2023. The property has also faced periodic fire safety concerns, with violations related to alarm systems and extinguishers recorded in 2016-2018, all of which were subsequently addressed.

An illegal short-term rental activity was identified and addressed in 2018, and the building's management has since completed various structural and safety improvements, including window and door installations, electrical system upgrades, and plumbing work. The property has maintained its soft-story compliance status (Tier 3) as of 2023, and recent building inspections and permits suggest ongoing attention to maintaining safety and livability standards. The building has experienced various infrastructure and maintenance challenges typical of older buildings, with regular routine inspections showing both improvements and occasional violations requiring attention.