596-598 Haight St, San Francisco, CA 94117

The property at 596-598 Haight Street is a 7-unit, 3-story multi-family residential building constructed in 1880, currently owned by the Ivell Thomas Estate. The building has experienced several significant maintenance and safety issues in recent years, with the most pressing concerns documented in March 2024, including violations related to inoperable heating systems, malfunctioning appliances, misaligned doors, and floor covering issues. These violations, which also noted the presence of damaged paint posing potential lead hazard concerns, were officially abated in November 2024.

The building has a history of heating system problems, with a previous violation recorded in 2011 requiring the installation of heating in all habitable rooms. Other notable historical improvements include efforts to modernize the property between 2002 and 2011, such as the installation of fire suppression systems, modifications to glass railings, and various plumbing and electrical upgrades, though some work was completed without proper permits. The commercial space at 598 Haight Street has undergone various renovations and faced multiple compliance issues, including a recent plumbing incident in early 2023 potentially affecting neighboring properties. A significant portion of the building's recent permit history involves addressing building code violations, including an expired permit from 1998 regarding tenant improvements and fire suppression systems, and unpermitted work observed in unit #320 in 2011.

The property has maintained active compliance with housing inspections, with the most recent violations being addressed within a reasonable timeframe. Recent external maintenance records (October-December 2024) show regular cleaning and upkeep of the surrounding area, though there have been recurring issues with garbage and debris management requiring multiple interventions. The property's history includes one building fire incident with no civilian injuries, though no specific date was provided for this event. The building's ownership has faced scrutiny regarding unpermitted short-term rental activity at a neighboring address (304 Steiner St), which was ultimately resolved with the departure of the unauthorized operator in 2023, and is now subject to potential administrative penalties that could affect future building permits.