1550-1554 Howard St, San Francisco, CA 94103

The 34-unit residential building at 1550-1554 Howard Street, owned by Villa Soma LLC, is a 3-story apartment building constructed in 1907. The property has undergone significant seismic retrofitting, completing both residential and commercial soft-story upgrades in 2019 at a combined cost of over $93,000. Recent building permits indicate ongoing maintenance efforts, including a fire-rated door repair in 2022. However, the building has faced several concerning issues in recent years.

Most notably, there have been multiple maintenance and safety concerns reported between 2022 and 2024, including a serious incident in May 2023 involving broken sewer systems, mold, electrical problems, and other infrastructure issues. A recent complaint from October 2023 highlighted problems with garbage management in the laundry room area leading to pest infestation concerns. The building has also experienced recurring fire safety violations, with the most recent violation issued in November 2023 regarding sleeping area requirements, and multiple fire code violations noted in 2022-2023. Several 311 calls from late 2024-early 2025 have reported issues including sewage back-up, sidewalk defects, and garbage problems, though some of these cases have been resolved. The property has a documented history of violations going back to the year 2000, when multiple issues including window repairs, wall/ceiling repairs, and egress obstructions were noted.

Historical records show various improvements and maintenance work over the years, including plumbing updates in 2013 involving pipe replacement, water heater installation, and bathroom repairs. Fire safety concerns have been a recurring theme, with multiple citations for blocked exits, sprinkler system issues, and fire extinguisher violations noted between 2010 and 2024. The building has experienced several fire alarm activations over the years, though investigations typically reveal no actual fires or civilian injuries. Recent planning records indicate various approvals related to the property's commercial use, including restaurant-related permits and improvements. The building's current soft-story retrofit status is listed as complete, with the necessary certification having been issued.