LOS ANGELES CITY SOFT STORY RETROFIT ORDINANCE

ORDINANCE 183893/ORDINANCE 184081

SOFT STORY BUILDING

Most soft story properties, both residential and commercial were not specifically designed to withstand shear or lateral forces. In an event of an earthquake these buildings can fail to withstand the building or structure, leading to substantial property damage or what is worse the loss of lives. California is currently drafting ordinances that require retrofitting of all soft story buildings, to reduce the structural deficiencies by the most economical and feasible method.

SOFT STORY ORDINANCE BY CITY

VULNERABLE BUILDING CRITERIA

  • Consist of 2 or more stories wood frame construction
  • Build under building code standards enacted before January 1, 1978
  • Contains ground floor parking or similar open floor space
The program does not apply to residential buildings with 3 or less units.