Planning Department reviews permit for unauthorized additions to historic San Francisco home

The San Francisco Planning Department convened to discuss a staff-initiated request for discretionary review of a building permit application aimed at legalizing unauthorized construction on a historic property. The application, identified as 202101132631, seeks to formalize a three-story rear addition and facade alterations made without the necessary permits on a single-family home built in 1912, classified as a Category B historic resource.

The property owners initially filed a building permit application in 2014 for interior alterations and a three-story addition. However, by 2015, it was discovered that the addition had been constructed without approval, prompting a series of compliance issues with the Planning Department. Despite multiple attempts to rectify the situation, including a 2017 discretionary review initiated by the Planning Department due to non-compliance with residential design guidelines, the property owners failed to submit required revisions.

The Planning Commission had previously approved modifications to the project in 2017, but the owners did not adhere to the stipulated changes, leading to the disapproval of their permit in 2018. Following an appeal that was later withdrawn, the owners filed a new permit in 2019, which was issued in 2020 but required further action that was not completed.

As of now, the property owners are facing a daily penalty of $250 for non-compliance, which has been accruing since May 2021. The Planning Department emphasized the need for timely action to bring the property into compliance, noting that two letters of support from adjacent property owners have been received, with no opposition noted.

The current application not only seeks to legalize the unauthorized work but also proposes the addition of two new dwelling units. The Planning Department reiterated the importance of adhering to design guidelines to ensure compatibility with the neighborhood and to minimize impacts on light and privacy for neighboring properties. The outcome of this review will determine the future of the property and its compliance with city regulations.