4540 California St, San Francisco, CA 94118

The three-story, 12-unit multi-family residential building at 4540 California St, owned by 4540 California Street LLC, was constructed in 1923 and has undergone several significant improvements in recent years. Most notably, the building successfully completed mandatory seismic strengthening work in December 2019, which included the installation of new shear walls, moment frames, and grade beams using FEMA guidelines, demonstrating compliance with important safety requirements. The building has also shown consistent maintenance of its life safety systems, with a completed fire alarm system upgrade in 2020 that brought the building into compliance with SF fire codes. Recent tenant infrastructure improvements have focused on unit modernization, particularly in Units 4, 7, 8, and 9, which have received new washer/dryer installations and various kitchen and electrical upgrades.

However, there have been recurring maintenance issues that warrant attention. There were three separate reports of water-related incidents in 2023, with flooding affecting multiple units, and ongoing fire alarm system concerns have been documented, including a violation in February 2024. Historical complaint records show past challenges with heating systems and fire safety (specifically fire proofing and egress issues) in 2004-2006, which were subsequently addressed. The property is currently classified as Tier 3 under the Soft Story program, and while the CFC (Certificate of Final Completion) has been issued, the fire alarm system has received two violations in recent years (2019 and 2024) that were corrected.

Recent permit activity indicates ongoing maintenance and upgrading of building systems, with the most recent work focusing on Unit 4's kitchen and laundry facilities. There have been multiple parking enforcement actions recorded, primarily related to driveway blocking, which appears to be a recurring issue near the property. While the building has had its share of maintenance challenges, the record shows that many issues have been promptly addressed through proper channels. The property has also undergone significant environmental improvements, including solar panel installation and electric vehicle charging infrastructure, though recent EV-related permits have expired.