Board upholds ADU permit at 530 Stockton despite tenants’ complaints; appeal denied 3–1

The San Francisco Board of Appeals on May 5 denied an appeal challenging a Department of Building Inspection permit to convert garage and storage space at 530 Stockton Street into three ground‑floor accessory dwelling units, voting 3–1 to uphold the permit.

Tenant representatives and long‑term residents testified at length about short notice of construction (they said initial notice came fewer than 72 hours before mobilization), repeated water shutoffs, elevator breakdowns and loss of laundry access, which they attributed to the property’s management and the staging of ADU work. "Initial notice of the project was sent less than 72 hours before construction began," tenant speaker Sabella Moreno said, describing hardship for residents without in‑unit laundry.

Permit counsel Jeremy Paul and construction director Alex Zhao said the ADU permit underwent the required reviews and that management has corrected procedural communication failings. "This is not about tenants' loss of services... those are to be addressed in other venues," Paul told the board, arguing the permit itself adds three rent‑controlled units to the housing stock.

Planning staff confirmed the ground‑floor ADU plans meet zoning and code requirements and retain access to laundry, rear yard access and trash facilities; DBI said the permit was properly reviewed and issued but acknowledged an active complaint about tenant notification is under the agency's housing inspection process.

After deliberation Vice President Rick Swig moved to deny the appeal and uphold the permit as properly issued; Commissioners Lazarus and Chang voted with him; President Honda opposed and voted to grant the appeal. The motion carried 3–1.

The board emphasized tenants’ other remedies: habitability complaints and alleged unlawful service severances should be filed with DBI or the rent board, which have authority over those issues. The board also directed DBI and Planning to continue monitoring compliance with posted permits and city code.

The permit stands; separate enforcement or rent‑board actions stemming from tenant complaints may proceed independently.