3953-3955 21st St, San Francisco, CA 94114

The two-unit residential building at 3953-3955 21st Street, owned by Joseph Chao, has experienced several significant maintenance and safety events since its construction in 1922, with the most concerning issues emerging in recent years. Most notably, in April 2019, a building complaint was filed regarding water intrusion, pests, and potential mold issues in the main building, though this complaint is currently listed as not active. The building underwent substantial infrastructure improvements between 2021-2022, including a sewer lateral and house trap replacement, as well as sewer repair work, suggesting ongoing efforts to maintain essential systems.

Electrical safety was addressed in 2005 with a service upgrade to 125 amps, though this improvement was completed nearly two decades ago. The property has experienced some fire department activity, with two unintentional fire alarm system activations recorded, though neither incident resulted in civilian injuries or actual fires. Recent maintenance issues have emerged, with a plumbing-related 311 call logged in November 2024.

The building's surroundings have been the subject of multiple 311 calls regarding illegal parking and various street maintenance issues, including reports of human waste or debris in January 2025 and tree maintenance needs (pruning request) from May 2024. Historical permits show other maintenance work performed on the building, including roof replacement in 1992 and front steps repairs in 1985, though these records are now quite dated. While the property has received various complaints and service requests over the years, the most significant recent concerns appear to be related to plumbing maintenance, with multiple 311 calls about illegal parking and street cleaning issues in the immediate vicinity.