471-477 Fulton St, San Francisco, CA 94102

The 24-unit multi-family residential building located at 471-477 Fulton Street in Hayes Valley was constructed in 1907 and has undergone several significant modifications and improvements over the years. Most notably, the property completed a mandatory soft-story seismic upgrade in 2018 at a cost of approximately $75,000-$95,000, installing new shearwalls and concrete walls to comply with San Francisco Building Code requirements. In 2020-2023, the building underwent substantial improvements, including the addition of an ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) with a new kitchen, bathroom, and furnace, along with the installation of a fire sprinkler system throughout the building.

Recent maintenance activities include water heater replacements and furnace installations in 2022-2023. The building has experienced various compliance and safety issues over its history, including multiple violations in 2009-2013 related to structural concerns (sagging support) and unauthorized unit conversions, though all these violations were eventually abated. More recent concerns have centered around construction work during shelter-in-place orders in 2020, potential unpermitted dwelling units, and illegal construction activities. The property has also faced several fire safety-related incidents and violations, though all have been promptly corrected, including recent alarm and sprinkler system issues in late 2023.

A routine housing inspection was conducted in September 2023, and there is currently an active complaint regarding a possible illegal unit from early 2020. The building has maintained its basic infrastructure systems through regular updates, including multiple water heater and furnace replacements, though there have been several plumbing permit expirations that suggest not all work was completed as intended. Recent 311 calls have primarily related to street cleaning and debris removal. While the property has experienced its share of maintenance and compliance challenges, most issues have been systematically addressed through permits and corrections, with the building now meeting current seismic safety requirements through its completed soft-story retrofit.