The liability laws do not separate a student from a prospective tenant, it's universal protection. 

I haven't confirmed but I'm fairly certain that the basement isn't considered "habitable space" per city guildlines since it only has windows with proper egress in the kitchen area.My question is, how should I go about having an evaluation done to determine what I would need to complete to have the space permitted for renting without drawing unwanted attention that could have city inspectors knocking out at my door doling out violations?

The deal hinges on purchasing the property as a 3 family.Can a party of interest, a buyer with a purchase and sale, obtain permit for a 3 or temporary certificate of occupancy?

The previous owner had permits for an 400 ft expansion.

I'm on a visitor visa (UK Citizen) but we are putting into process my PR application hopefully over the next few months and hopefully my work permit will be here by the end of the year.

City permit costs, architects cost and other site work cost people often forget about like hooking up electrical service, sewer, gas etc and it kills any profit. 

I'm not an investor, but dealing with 5 new investors at once trying to jump on a deal together seems like an unnecessarily difficult prospect. 

Who do you recommend to pull permits from the city and make sure all the utility lines are put in properly?

You'll need to expend some budget upfront on soft costs just to get the project permitted, priced up, etc...

@Bruce ParkOne thing to keep in mind, at least this is true in South San Francisco, is that the building department requires sewer lateral compliance before issuing permit for ADU.