The Los Angeles Soft-Story Retrofit Program targets multi-story buildings with weak and/or open-front wall lines creating a “soft-story” (i.e. buildings with tuck-under-parking) performed poorly and collapsed. The goal of the mandatory retrofit program, under Ordinance 183893 and Ordinance 184081, is to reduce structural deficiencies by the most economical and feasible method. Without proper strengthening, these vulnerable buildings may be subjected to structural failure during and/or after an earthquake.
Buildings that are most vulnerable have been identified with the following criteria:
- Consist of 2 or more stories wood frame construction
- Built under building code standards enacted before January 1, 1978
- Contains ground floor parking or other similar open floor space
- The program does not apply to residential buildings with 3 or less units.
Each property owner of these buildings will be sent an order to comply based on the following schedule and priorities:
- May 2, 2016 3 Story buildings with 16 or more dwelling units
- July 22, 2016 2 Story buildings with 16 or more dwelling units
- Oct 17, 2016 Buildings with 3 or more stories with less than 16 units
- Jan 30, 2017 9-15 unit buildings not falling within the definition of Priority I or II
- May 29, 2017 7-8 unit buildings not falling within the definition of Priority I or II
- Aug 14, 2017 4-6 unit buildings not falling within the definition of Priority I or II
- Oct 30, 2017 Condos/Commercial
The property owner must comply with the ordinance within the following time limits from the receipt of the order to comply:
- 2 years: Submit proof of previous retrofit, or plans to retrofit or demolish
- 3.5 years: Obtain permit to start construction or demolition
- 7 years: Complete construction
For more information, please Contact Us:
201 N. Figueroa St, 8th floor, Suite 890
(213) 482-SOFT (7638)
(213) 202-9924
Soft-storyretrofit@lacity.org
For more information about the tenant habitability plan and cost recovery guide, please contact HCIDLA:
For more information on the Mayor’s Resilience by Design, please visit http://www.lamayor.org/resilience-design-building-stronger-los-angeles
High Seismic Zones
Geological conditions and historical earthquakes help us to identify and classify high seismic zones. Earthquakes such as the 1987 Whittier, 1989 Loma Prieta, 1994 Northridge, and 2001 Nisqually Washington have caused extensive damage to thousands of wood-framed homes. The resulting damage has helped to advance new products and methods that improve the structural integrity of buildings.
After years of study, code officials in the San Francisco Bay Area and in Los Angeles have recently adopted ordinances that require soft-story seismic retrofits. The purpose is to prevent loss of life, to mitigate possible building collapse and to avoid the inhabitants being displaced from a condemned building
U.S. Geological Survey (Live Earthquake Map)
The USGS is a scientific agency of the United States Government. Scientists within this agency study our landscape, natural resources and the natural disasters that threaten them. This particular link shows a live map of current and past earthquakes throughout the United States.
Federal Emergency Management Agency
FEMA was established in 1979. The primary purpose of FEMA is to coordinate additional response and relief when a disaster has occurred in the United States.
Southern California Earthquake Center
The SCEC website contains a wealth of information in regards to earthquake safety and preparedness. It also contains an online publication on making one’s home safe in “Earthquake Country”.
Earthquake Engineering Research Institute
The EERI is a non-profit organization, which was funded in 1948. The objective of the Institute is to advance the science and practice of earthquake engineering, protecting people and property from the effects of earthquakes.
Putting Down Roots in Earthquake Country
The Earthquake Country Alliance provides preparedness literature for Los Angeles and Southern California. This particular site contains informational videos, a wealth of preparedness data and tips for both homeowners and business owners.