Recent code enforcement actions have clamped down on disruptive, illegal activity in the City’s southeast neighborhoods
SAN FRANCISCO (March 19, 2025) — City Attorney David Chiu announced today that his office shuttered three illegal gambling dens and two illegal nightclubs that created a public nuisance and fueled illegal activity in San Francisco’s southeast neighborhoods. The City Attorney’s Office worked with City departments on enforcement actions and sent demand letters to property owners, requiring them to put a stop to the illegal and raucous activity occurring at their properties.
“I appreciate that the property owners cooperated with our demands to put an end to this wildly illegal conduct,” said City Attorney Chiu. “This outcome brings real relief to the neighbors who endured the chaos caused by these illegal gambling dens and nightclubs. In each of these cases, our Code Enforcement Team worked hard to ensure San Francisco is a safe and enjoyable place to live.”
Until recently, the tenants of properties located at 57 Leland Ave, 5530 Mission Street, and 1201 Cayuga Avenue housed illegal gambling operations, and tenants of the properties located at 3261 Mission Street and 4461 Mission Street hosted illegal after-hours nightclubs.
57 Leland Avenue
In January 2025, the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) executed a search warrant at a Visitacion Valley commercial space located at 57 Leland Avenue. SFPD seized nine gambling machines and a stolen firearm and ammunition. The City Attorney’s Office sent a demand letter requiring the owner to put a stop to the illegal activity at the property. The property owner committed to not renew the commercial tenant’s lease in June 2025, and after the City Attorney’s Office stressed the urgency of the public nuisance, had the tenants promptly vacate the property.
5530 Mission Street
In August 2024, SFPD responded to calls of shots fired at an Outer Mission commercial unit located at 5530 Mission Street and found multiple cartridge cases outside and inside the unit, which prompted an investigation by the City. SFPD executed a search warrant and seized six gambling machines, firearms, and ammunition. The City Attorney’s Office sent a demand letter alleging the property owners were in violation of the Red Light Abatement Law due to the illegal gambling occurring at their property, and the owners immediately evicted the commercial tenants.
1201 Cayuga Avenue
After an armed robbery occurred at a residential property in the Cayuga Terrace located at 1201 Cayuga Avenue, SFPD executed a search warrant in September 2024. SFPD seized ten gambling machines and methamphetamine from the ground floor unit. The City Attorney’s Office sent a demand letter to the property owner alleging a violation of the Red Light Abatement Law due to the illegal gambling occurring at the property. The property owner evicted the tenant engaged in the illegal activity.
3261 Mission Street
The City received numerous noise complaints about a Bernal Heights commercial space located at 3261 Mission Street hosting a loud, after-hours nightclub. In November and December 2024, SFPD and an Entertainment Commission investigator observed an illegal nightclub including a bar, DJ playing loud music, two gambling machines, and alcoholic beverages being served. The operators even advertised parties at this property on social media. The property does not have the required liquor license from California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, an after-hours permit, or an entertainment permit for live music. The City Attorney’s Office sent a demand letter to the property owners requiring them to immediately investigate and put a stop to the illegal activity occurring at the property. The owner reached an agreement with the tenants to bring them into compliance, hired a property manager to monitor compliance, and is working with a lawyer to pursue additional enforcement.
4461 Mission Street
In October 2024, SFPD observed a crowd of people entering an Excelsior commercial space located at 4461 Mission Street where loud music played late into the night. During two separate occasions, the tenants denied SFPD and an Entertainment Commission inspector entry and stated they were hosting a “private party.” The property does not have an after-hours permit or entertainment permit for live music. The City Attorney’s Office sent a demand letter to the property owner, which led to the problematic tenants vacating the premises.
The San Francisco City Attorney’s Office Code Enforcement Team
City Attorney’s Office employees Morris Allen, Wade Chow, Megan Ryan, and Carol Stuart worked on these code enforcement matters to keep San Francisco’s neighborhoods safe and habitable.
The San Francisco City Attorney’s Office Code Enforcement Team pursues legal action on behalf of the City to ensure safety and improve conditions in areas where San Francisco’s Fire, Building, Housing and Planning Codes, or California Health and Safety Codes have been violated. The Team also handles the majority of the Office’s gun violence restraining order (GVRO) cases, which seek to remove firearms from individuals who pose a danger to themselves or others.
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