1040-1042 Howard St, San Francisco, CA 94103

The 1040-1042 Howard Street property is a three-story, 9-unit multi-family residential building constructed in 1914, currently owned by Michael Kwong. The building has experienced several significant events over its history, most notably a fire in 2022 that damaged Unit #4 and required subsequent repairs including the installation of fire-rated interior walls and replacement of fire-damaged siding, with work completed in 2024. The building is currently undergoing major improvements including a mandatory soft-story retrofit scheduled for completion in 2024, which involves the installation of plywood shear walls with concrete grade beams.

Recent improvements also include a substantial upgrade to the fire alarm system completed in 2024, which now includes addressable components and additional safety features as per San Francisco Fire Code requirements. The building's maintenance history reveals several periods of concern for resident safety and comfort. Active violations from 2016 remain regarding lead paint, smoke detection systems, and various building maintenance issues including repairs to windows, ceilings, and the resolution of a pigeon infestation.

Complaints from 2021-2022 indicated persistent problems with fire safety systems, electrical issues, and plumbing concerns, particularly affecting Unit #4. The property has a documented history of fire safety violations, including issues with extinguishers and alarm systems, though these have generally been addressed when cited. The building's soft-story compliance status is currently listed as non-compliant under Tier 4, though permits have been issued for required retrofitting work. Recent 311 calls from January 2025 primarily relate to street cleaning and encampment issues near the building's location, which are outside the property's direct responsibilities.