Soft-Story Retrofit Program - Subtitle

Verify if My Building Applied
View Soft-Story
Compliance Report

About the Program

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.

Buildings in Scope

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.

How to Proceed

Each property owner of these buildings will be sent an order to comply. These orders will be sent accordingly based on the following priorities:

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

Soft-Story Retrofit Examples

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Examples of damage without soft-story retrofit

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Soft-story retrofit process

Contact

Soft-Story Retrofit Unit

Address: 201 N. Figueroa St, 8th floor, Suite 890
Telephone: (213) 482-SOFT (7638) - (213) 202-9924
Email: Soft-storyretrofit@lacity.org

Please note that all plans and structural analysis must be submitted to the above office.

Mon, Tue, Thu and Fri 7:30 AM - 12:00 PM / 1:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Wed 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM / 1:00 PM - 4:30 PM

Additional Resources

  • FAQ's
  • Documents

FAQ Search Results

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A duplicate of Building Inspection Card can be obtained from LADBS cashier free of charge, but you must bring a copy of the permit.

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GPI waivers may be granted by the district grading inspector on a case by case basis. Waivers are generally not granted for deepened foundations, slopes 3:1 (H:V) or steeper, swimming pool, or retaining walls over 6 feet in height.

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The "Express Permits" can be issued on the same day. See the Information Bulletin P/GI 2014-003 for the list of the Express Permits. For the Permits other than the Express permits which can be checked as Over the Counter, see the Information Bulletin P/GI 2014-011, -12 & -13, available at LADBS.org.

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No. Low pressure gas systems (2 psi or less) with more than 10 gas outlets require plan check. Medium and high pressure gas systems (more than 2 psi) require plan check regardless of the number of gas outlets.

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Kitchen exhaust with intake from the kitchen ceiling register and bathroom exhaust can be combined using the same exhaust duct. Kitchen exhaust from a kitchen hood shall be combined with bathroom exhaust.

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No. To have a special event, the building must have a Certificate of Occupancy.

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A master PRV is allowed to be installed downstream of a fire pump when a second master PRV is installed to provide redundancy, so that failure of one PRV does not affect the operation of the fire protection system.

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Yes, but with conditions. Residential hoods may be installed in employee kitchen areas, community centers in residential buildings, churches and similar areas that are not designed for the selling of food to the public. The cooking equipment shall be of residential grade, and a modification shall be approved by Mechanical Plan Check before installation.

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In general, infiltration is not allowed within a Hillside Grading Area. However, consideration can be given for properties where slopes won't be impacted.

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In general, infiltration is not allowed within a potentially liquefiable hazard zone. However, sites within a potentially liquefiable zone can be considered for infiltration if a soils report demonstrates that the site is not subject to liquefaction.

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