40 Gaven St, San Francisco, CA 94134

The property at 40 Gaven Street in Portola is a 2-story, 7-unit multi-family residential building constructed in 1975, currently owned by Phong Van & Kieu Loan Duong. The building has undergone significant recent changes, with major work currently in progress as of March 2024 to convert five covered parking spaces into new dwelling units (Units 9-13), following the legal authorization under Ordinance No. 162-16.

This conversion includes comprehensive electrical and plumbing work, with new kitchens and bathrooms being added. The building has completed several important safety improvements, including a mandatory soft-story retrofit (completed in 2016) and the legalization of Unit #8 (completed in 2022) under Ordinance 43-14. Recent concerns have been raised regarding the building's condition and maintenance, with active complaints as of December 2024 about roof leaks potentially causing mold issues, and previous complaints about unauthorized construction and utility shutoffs. The building has a history of violations and complaints that required attention, particularly relating to fire safety systems, blocked exits, and various maintenance issues.

These included multiple citations in 2000-2001 for fire safety violations (such as fire extinguisher maintenance and floor covering repairs), and various building code compliance issues over the years. While many of these historical violations have been addressed and closed, the most recent complaints indicate ongoing maintenance and safety concerns that may affect resident quality of life. The property has received multiple routine inspections over the years, and while some issues have been recurring, such as concerns about garage spaces and unit counts, significant structural and safety improvements have been made. These include the installation of fire safety upgrades in 2025 (fire alarm system modifications) and various maintenance and improvement projects documented through building permits over the years.