242-248 5th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94118

The three-story, 11-unit apartment building at 242-248 5th Avenue in the Inner Richmond, built in 1902 and currently owned by William & Teresa Callan Rev, has undergone several significant maintenance and safety-related improvements over the past two decades. Most recently, in 2021, the building received plumbing updates including work on the outside housetrap. In 2017, voluntary seismic strengthening was performed on the rear cottage, and in 2015, substantial repairs were made to address weather damage, dry rot, and safety concerns in the building's stairways, landings, and walkways. Several inspections and complaints from 2012-2014 highlighted issues with illegal unit construction, unauthorized modifications, and safety concerns, particularly regarding the rear structure, which was eventually documented as a two-story wood frame building with a garage and single-family dwelling.

Multiple violations related to building maintenance, fire safety, and unauthorized modifications were recorded between 2004 and 2014, including problems with stairs, fire escapes, smoke detectors, and expired permits for bathroom modifications. Recent years have shown improved maintenance practices, with no active building violations since 2014, though there were two fire safety complaints regarding blocked exits in 2017 and 2020 that were promptly corrected. The property has a history of plumbing and drainage issues, with notable problems in 2004 involving raw sewage spills and 2008 involving sewage backups, along with heating system problems documented in 2009. Several building improvements have been made over the years, including reroofing in 2014 ($20,000), installation of fire-rated materials in the garage in 2014, and various structural repairs.

The building's maintenance history shows regular attention to structural integrity, including dry rot repairs and seismic strengthening, though some permits have been canceled or expired without proper completion. Outside the building itself, there have been multiple 311 calls in recent years regarding street and sidewalk maintenance, though these are unrelated to the building's internal conditions. The property underwent significant scrutiny from housing inspectors between 2004 and 2014, resulting in multiple citations for various building code violations, though these have all been marked as abated. The most recent inspections and permits indicate improved compliance with building codes and regulations, though the age of the structure and its repair history suggests ongoing maintenance challenges may be expected.