853-857 Divisadero St, San Francisco, CA 94117

The three-story multi-family residential building at 853-857 Divisadero Street, owned by Brenda C. Fields, was constructed in 1905 and contains 5 units plus commercial space. The property has undergone significant modifications and improvements over the past two decades, with the most recent work including a window replacement in 2014. The commercial portion of the building, which has operated as a restaurant (El Rancho Grande), underwent substantial renovations in 2007-2008, including the installation of kitchen equipment, electrical systems, and an automatic fire suppression system.

The restaurant has maintained its active ABC Type 41 license as a continuation of existing restaurant use. The building experienced several notable issues in 2008, including multiple housing code violations related to interior surfaces, general maintenance, and mold/mildew problems, though these were abated by August 2008. A recent complaint from March 2022 regarding water intrusion and health hazards related to restaurant operations was filed but is no longer active. The property has had two building fires recorded as unintentional incidents with no civilian injuries, and it has experienced one smoke detector malfunction.

In the past several months (January 2025), there have been multiple reports of garbage and debris issues near the building, with at least eight cases of overflowing garbage being reported and resolved through city services. The building's permit history shows consistent maintenance and improvements, including sidewalk repairs and various commercial improvements. The property has also been subject to several inspections and violations over its history, including electrical issues noted in 1997 and concerns about possible illegal units in 1996, both of which were resolved by 2008. The most recent building complaint was filed in April 2024 but is currently not active. While the building has had its share of maintenance and compliance issues, the majority of historical violations have been addressed, and recent complaints primarily relate to exterior rather than interior conditions.