490-496 26th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94121

The 4-unit, 2-story multi-family residential building at 490-496 26th Avenue in San Francisco's Central Richmond district, built in 1922 and currently owned by the Chee Mee Chin Wong Trust, has experienced several significant maintenance and compliance issues in recent months. Most notably, in October 2023, the property was subject to complaints regarding improper electrical wiring and plumbing work, including concerns about a water heater installation and plumbing leaks. There was also a recent complaint about unauthorized renovations in the bar area.

These recent violations follow a pattern of maintenance and compliance challenges, including multiple citations in 2002 related to lead paint hazards, building violations, and fire safety issues (all of which were abated by July 2002). The building's maintenance history shows various improvements and repairs over the years, including a complete reroofing in 2010 costing $7,900, exterior wall repairs in 2007, and window replacements in 1993. More recent permitted work includes the installation of automatic door operators at the store entrance in late 2023 to comply with accessibility requirements.

The property has also experienced some urban infrastructure challenges, as evidenced by multiple 311 calls in 2024 regarding sidewalk issues, garbage, and parking violations in the vicinity. While there have been two recorded fire-related incidents (a water leak and a building structure concern), neither resulted in civilian injuries and both situations appear to have been addressed. The most recent building permits indicate ongoing efforts to address accessibility requirements, though concerns about the bar area's renovation without proper permits suggest some continuing issues with work being performed without appropriate oversight.