257-261 14th St, San Francisco, CA 94103

The property at 257-261 14th Street is a 7-unit, 3-story multi-family residential building constructed in 1908, currently owned by Jose Sainz. The building has undergone several significant structural improvements over the years, most notably completing a mandatory seismic retrofit as a Tier 3 soft-story building in 2018, which involved replacing steel frames with shear walls, following a major retrofit project initiated in 2016 that cost $65,000. Recent concerning complaints filed in October 2024 allege unauthorized construction work by the current owner, with specific safety concerns about exterior stairs and handrails, as well as reports of excavation work affecting the foundation. A previous major structural concern from 2014 documented a hole in the basement ceiling exposing pipes and falling pieces of drywall, though this was marked as not active.

The building's maintenance history shows efforts to address various issues, including window replacements (38 windows in 2005), reroofing (2005), and addressing fire damage from 1986, though a 1986 fire incident did occur. Historical violations from 2003 were promptly addressed within days, involving rear stair storage and step repairs. The building has a documented history of various maintenance and safety inspections, with routine safety checks performed in 2003 and 2008. Earlier issues included a roof leak affecting the kitchen ceiling in 1996 and a broken kitchen window in 1997, both of which were resolved.

The property has experienced minimal fire-related incidents, with only contained incidents recorded and no civilian injuries reported. Recent 311 calls from 2024 primarily relate to street maintenance and environmental concerns rather than building-specific issues, with the most recent building-related call in October 2024 regarding general maintenance. The property has met various safety and compliance requirements over the years, including the complete seismic retrofit, though the recent complaints about construction work and safety concerns suggest ongoing maintenance issues. The owner has made significant investments in building improvements, particularly concerning structural stability, but the recent complaints indicate potential regulatory compliance and safety concerns that may require further investigation.