261 Clara St, San Francisco, CA 94107

261 Clara Street is a 4-unit, 2-story multi-family residential building constructed in 1913 and owned by Marc Simon. The building has undergone several significant maintenance and safety-related improvements over the past few decades, including reroofing projects in 1989 and 2015 (costing $17,000), installation of skylights in 2015, and vinyl siding installation in 2006. The property has a documented history of fire safety violations, particularly in recent years, with three violations issued in 2024 regarding sprinkler systems, sleeping area requirements, and standpipe issues.

Notably, between 2008 and 2011, the building experienced multiple fire safety violations that were subsequently resolved, including egress obstructions, fire extinguisher requirements, and smoke detector installations. More recent 311 calls indicate ongoing maintenance challenges, with reports of an inadequately maintained building exterior in December 2024, though other recent cases of garbage and debris, flooding, and encampments in the vicinity have all been resolved. The building has a pattern of responding to false alarms and system malfunctions, with multiple documented incidents of alarm system activations and smoke detector activations recorded by the fire department.

Historical records show structural work was performed in 1988, including temporary shoring, support member installation, and attempted raising of the building, while more recent improvements have focused on roof maintenance and skylight installation. The property has undergone regular routine inspections by Housing Inspection Services, with the most recent health and safety inspection occurring in 2011, and appears to have addressed most immediate violations, though some recent fire safety concerns remain open or were cited as requiring correction. The building has experienced various maintenance issues over the years, with many violations being resolved promptly through corrective actions, though there appear to be recurring patterns in fire safety compliance.