168 Palm Ave, San Francisco, CA 94118

The 2-story, 7-unit multi-family residential building at 168 Palm Avenue, constructed in 1919, has undergone several significant renovations and repairs over the past two decades, with the most pressing recent issue being its non-compliant status with the Tier 3 Soft Story seismic retrofit requirements. The building finally completed seismic strengthening work in 2021 at a cost of $120,000 to comply with SF's Soft Story Ordinance, after receiving violations for failure to submit the necessary permit application in 2017 and being cited for non-compliance in 2020.

In addition to seismic improvements, the building has received multiple unit-specific upgrades including kitchen and bathroom remodels in Units 3, 4, and 4A, electrical system upgrades in all units including panel upgrades, and plumbing improvements such as a new main sewer line installation in 2010. A concerning resident complaint about insufficient heating in Unit 2A was filed in December 2021, and there were multiple fire-related violations in 2003 related to combustible materials storage, emergency exits, and smoke detector requirements, though these were all abated by September 2003. Recent maintenance and service calls indicate ongoing attention to building systems, including a fire alarm system issue in late 2023 that was noted as a malfunction with no fire involved.

The property has received routine upgrades over the years, including a complete reroofing in 2006 (Completed) and various unit renovations between 2003 and 2016, which typically included modern finishes, appliances, and safety features. While most historical violations have been resolved, the building's recent history shows attention to both major systems upgrades (such as the seismic work) and ongoing maintenance of building infrastructure, though the heating system issue from 2021 suggests some areas may require continued monitoring. The property management has shown responsiveness to addressing various building code requirements, as evidenced by the completion of the seismic work in 2021, though this was notably delayed compared to initial compliance timelines.