201-203 Octavia St, San Francisco, CA 94102

The 9-unit apartment building at 201-203 Octavia Street in Hayes Valley, owned by Mae V Gage 2015 Fmly Tr, is a 3-story multi-family residential structure built in 1911 that has had significant maintenance and safety concerns in recent years. Most notably, the building is currently non-compliant with mandatory soft story retrofit requirements despite a $120,000 retrofit permit issued in 2020 for the ground floor. There are multiple active violations from 2023 including issues with heating systems, window repairs, fire escape maintenance, and fire extinguisher compliance that suggest ongoing maintenance challenges.

The property has also experienced repeated fire safety concerns, with several fire alarm system violations and maintenance issues documented between 2015 and 2024, including a recent August 2024 violation related to sleeping area requirements and alarm systems. The building's history shows various improvement efforts, including electrical upgrades such as a weather head replacement in 2021 and a cancelled EV charger installation in 2023. Earlier maintenance work included a roof replacement in 1991, kitchen cabinet replacements in 1989, and multiple fire safety system upgrades in the early 2000s.

More recent complaints from 2023-2024 highlight ongoing issues with building systems and safety equipment, including a high-pitched electric ringing sound in the lobby reported in July 2024, potential fire escape stability concerns noted in December 2023, and heating system problems documented in March 2023. The property has also faced challenges with its commercial space, with vacant storefront complaints in 2022 and 2020, and is under an active soft story non-compliance status as a Tier 4 building. The accumulation of active violations, particularly regarding life safety systems and building maintenance, suggests ongoing management and maintenance challenges that affect resident comfort and safety. For layman-friendly understanding, the building has several unresolved safety and maintenance issues, including problems with heating systems, windows, fire safety equipment, and structural compliance that have persisted over multiple years, despite some renovation efforts in between.