290 16th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94118

The 7-unit, 4-story apartment building at 290 16th Avenue in the Central Richmond neighborhood has undergone significant modifications and faced several compliance issues since its construction in 1921. Most notably, there have been substantial recent upgrades to the building's safety systems, including a 2021 comprehensive fire alarm system upgrade ($24,000) replacing detectors, pull stations, and adding low-frequency sounders to meet current safety codes.

The building underwent major interior reconfigurations in 2018-2019, converting units into 4-bedroom, 4-bathroom configurations, and adding an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) in one of the garage spaces. Several compliance issues have been documented, including multiple accusations of illegal unit conversions (2016-2021), unauthorized electrical and plumbing work in units 3-7 (2021), and past heating system violations (2008-2014). The building has a history of parking enforcement issues, with numerous citations for sidewalk parking and driveway blocking in 2024.

Importantly, the building is classified as Tier 3 in the city's soft-story program but is currently listed as non-compliant, indicating it has not yet met retrofit requirements. Recent improvements include the installation of a central heating system in Unit 8 (2020) and various unit-specific upgrades, while historical violations from 2001 regarding fire safety systems and 2008 issues with garbage chutes and fire escape ladders were properly abated. Three units underwent comprehensive remodeling in 2018-2019, including bathroom and kitchen renovations, with associated plumbing and electrical work properly permitted.