From past earthquakes, 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.
| Priority | Categories | Start date of Sending Out Orders |
|---|---|---|
| I. Buildings with 16 or more dwelling units | 3-story and above | May 2, 2016 |
| 2-story | July 22, 2016 | |
| II. Buildings with 3 or more stories | with less than 16 units | October 17, 2016 |
| III. Buildings not falling within the definition of Priority I or II | with 9-15 units | July 24, 2017 |
| with 7-8 units | August 21, 2017 | |
| with 4-6 units | September 25, 2017 | |
| Condos/Commercial | November 6, 2017 |
The property owner must comply with the ordinance within the following time limit 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
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