786-788 17th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94118

The property at 786-788 17th Avenue is a two-unit, two-story multi-family residential building located in the Central Richmond neighborhood, owned by Tan Guo Zhi and constructed in 1920. The building has experienced several significant issues in 2023 that warrant attention.

Most notably, there are active violations regarding an unpermitted studio with full kitchen and bathroom behind the garage on the ground floor, including unapproved wiring and plumbing, and a change of use without proper permits. Habitability concerns were raised in January 2023 regarding the garage area, with reports of caving ceiling, faulty air ducts, and possible asbestos contamination that initially generated some urgency about air quality concerns, though this particular complaint is no longer active. A plumbing improvement was completed in October 2021, involving the replacement of a house trap and approximately 30 feet of sewer pipe.

An in-law unit legalization process was initiated in December 2024, with a permit filed to address a Notice of Violation from January 2023, though this work is described as having no structural changes to the existing second and third floor residences. Historically, the building underwent reroofing work in 1998 and had some exterior tree-related issues with roots affecting the sewer line and uneven sidewalk squares, which were resolved in March 2016. The combination of recent active violations, including unauthorized units and potential health/safety concerns, represents the most significant current challenges faced by this property.