5614 California St, San Francisco, CA 94121

5614 California Street is a 4-unit, 2-story multi-family residential building located in the Lake -- The Presidio neighborhood, constructed in 1923 and currently owned by Lydia & Liping Fong. The building has undergone several significant changes and faced various compliance issues over the years. Most notably, there was a period of unauthorized unit construction in 2000 when a garage area was converted into an illegal 5th apartment, which raised multiple safety concerns including inadequate fire safety features and emergency egress. This unauthorized conversion led to several building violations regarding fire safety requirements, though these violations were ultimately abated by March 24, 2000.

The building underwent substantial renovations in the late 1990s, including foundation repairs, reroofing, and various interior modifications including bedroom conversions. In 2005, there were permit actions to remove unauthorized kitchen and bath facilities from the ground floor, suggesting ongoing issues with unauthorized modifications. More recent history shows continued maintenance challenges, with significant attention required for building exterior upkeep including dry rot repair and restucco work in 1997. The property has generated numerous 311 calls in 2024, primarily related to garbage and debris issues on the property or nearby, though these are mostly sanitation concerns rather than structural or safety issues.

Multiple electrical permits were also issued in 2005 to remove certain outlets, indicating continued attention to building electrical systems. The most recent complaint regarding illegal construction was filed in 2017 concerning the ground floor behind the garage apartment rental, though this complaint is listed as not active without a clear resolution date. The building's documented history shows a pattern of unauthorized modifications and subsequent compliance efforts, particularly related to unit conversions and fire safety requirements, with most issues being addressed through various permits and construction work. While many historical violations were resolved, the property's recent history (2024) shows ongoing challenges with exterior maintenance and waste management, though these are primarily environmental rather than structural or safety concerns.