521 Gates St, San Francisco, CA 94110

The property at 521 Gates Street is a two-story, two-unit multi-family residential building located in Bernal Heights, built in 1921 and currently owned by Pat Lam. The building has undergone significant alterations and faced multiple compliance issues over the past decade. In 2009-2010, substantial renovation work was performed, including foundation repairs, interior remodeling, and systems upgrades.

However, this work led to several building violations, most notably regarding unauthorized basement construction, including a garage and additional rooms, which triggered multiple Notices of Violation (NOV), some of which remain classified as "Active". The property has experienced ongoing issues with permit compliance and safety concerns, including a 2009 violation regarding improper vertical excavation work, and a 2011 complaint about unauthorized weekend construction. More recent maintenance issues have emerged in 2024, with complaints about sewage discharge and a tree potentially damaging the building.

A building inspection request was filed in September 2024, though the outcome has not been clearly documented. The property has also generated multiple 311 calls in 2024 related to parking violations, tree maintenance, street defects, and a sewage backup, with some issues being promptly resolved while others remain open. Planning records indicate attempts to address the building's unauthorized modifications through various permits, though some applications have been canceled or remain under review.