Earthquake Retrofitting in Pasadena, California
Buildings That Withstand Made For Communities That Thrive
Pasadena Sits in One of California's Most Active Seismic Zones
Three major fault systems threaten Pasadena: the Sierra Madre Fault along the San Gabriel Mountains (capable of magnitude 6.0-7.0 earthquakes), the Raymond Fault running directly beneath the city, and the San Andreas Fault just 30 miles away.
The 1991 Sierra Madre and 1994 Northridge earthquakes proved soft-story buildings are especially vulnerable. These events damaged Pasadena City Hall, left dozens of buildings uninhabitable, and caused significant loss of life throughout Southern California.
That’s why Pasadena passed a mandatory retrofit ordinance targeting the city’s most vulnerable buildings.
Is Your Building Required to Retrofit?
Pasadena’s Ordinance No. 7345, adopted in May 2019, requires seismic upgrades for buildings most at risk of collapse. The city identified approximately 493 buildings requiring evaluation and possible retrofit.
Your building must be retrofitted if it has:
- Wood-frame construction with soft, weak, or open-front walls (parking, garage, or large openings)
- Five or more residential units
- Built before November 12, 1976
Single-family homes and buildings with four or fewer units are not covered by the mandatory ordinance.
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Need more help?
(844) 72-BUILD
(866) 985-6936
Understanding Pasadena's Compliance Timeline
Priority 1: 3+ stories or 25+ units
Priority 2: 10-24 units
Priority 3: 5-9 units, 2-story buildings
If you received a notice from the city, you have specific deadlines:
- 1 year to submit screening form (if claiming exemption)
- 4 years to submit plans and obtain building permit
- 7 years to complete construction and pass final inspection
Haven’t started your retrofit yet? It’s not too late. Many property owners are still working through the compliance process. The critical deadline is completing your retrofit before the next earthquake strikes, and before the city escalates fines and penalties for non-compliance.
We help property owners get back on track quickly, even if deadlines have passed.
Financial Help Is Available for Property Owners
Retrofitting costs less than you think, especially with available grants and financing options.
State Grant Programs
Earthquake Brace & Bolt (EBB): Qualifying homeowners with household income under $87,360 can receive up to $3,000 toward code-compliant retrofitting.
Earthquake Soft-Story Grant (ESS): Eligible homeowners can get up to $13,000 for homes with living space above a garage.
Insurance Benefits
Many insurance providers offer lower premiums for retrofitted buildings. The cost of retrofitting is a fraction of what you’d face in repair bills, legal liability, and lost property value after earthquake damage.
Earthquake Safety Solutions Built Around Your Building
From soft-story apartments to mixed-use buildings, we provide tailored seismic retrofitting solutions that ensure safety, compliance, and long-term peace of mind throughout Pasadena and the San Gabriel Valley.
Need more help?
(844) 72-BUILD
(866) 985-6936
Soft-Story Retrofitting
Buildings with open ground floors lack lateral support and are prone to collapse. We install steel moment frames, shear walls, and structural reinforcements that meet Oakland's ordinance requirements. Our designs keep your building standing while allowing continued use of parking and commercial space.
Earthquake Brace & Bolt
This service strengthens your structure's connection to its foundation using anchor bolts and reinforced cripple walls. Our earthquake brace and bolting solution is ideal for older homes and low-rise buildings needing foundational reinforcement. Work qualifies for state grant programs.
Foundation Strengthening
When your foundation weakens, you may notice sloping floors, sticking doors, or widening cracks in walls. These are warning signs that need attention. Our foundation repair solutions strengthen and stabilize the structure beneath your home, protecting it from further shifting or damage during seismic events.
Tenant Habitability Planning
We manage the entire THP process, ensuring tenant safety and compliance with Pasadena guidelines. Our detailed plans keep residents safely in place during construction, meeting all city habitability requirements while protecting your investment.
The Retrofit1 Difference: Trusted by Property Owners Across CA
“Retrofit1 totally saved our home’s foundation!” – Natassia Y, Satisfied Customer
Will Your Building Hold Up When the Next Earthquake Strikes?
Pasadena sits in a high-risk seismic zone, and many older buildings were built before modern safety standards. Soft-story structures with open ground floors or tuck-under parking are especially vulnerable to earthquake damage and collapse.
Why property owners shouldn’t wait:
- Risk of collapse or major structural failure
- Mandatory compliance with city retrofit ordinances
- Higher insurance costs or penalties for non-compliance
- Serious safety risks for tenants and residents
If your property was built before 1980 and features large open spaces at the base, it likely qualifies as a soft-story building under Pasadena’s seismic ordinance. Retrofitting strengthens weak ground floors with steel frames, shear walls, and anchoring systems—protecting your investment and everyone inside.
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Step-by-Step: How Our Retrofitting Process Works
Step 1: Initial Structural Evaluation
Our experts thoroughly assess your building’s foundation, framing, and load-bearing walls to pinpoint areas most at risk during an earthquake. We verify which priority tier your building falls under and what Ordinance No. 7345 requires.
Step 2: Customized Engineering Plan
We design a retrofit plan tailored to your property’s needs, ensuring it meets Pasadena’s seismic safety standards and aligns with local building codes. Our team handles all permit applications and city coordination.
Step 3: Professional Installation & Construction
From permits to construction, our team manages the entire process—reinforcing your structure with precision and keeping you updated every step of the way. Most projects take 4 to 8 weeks depending on building size and complexity.
Step 4: Final Inspection & City Approval
Your project is completed with a detailed inspection and official city approval, giving you confidence that your building is safe, compliant, and protected.
"The crew knew their stuff, and it showed in the quality of their work."
Why Our Retrofits Actually Get Completed on Time
1,000+ retrofit projects completed. Zero compliance failures.
We Know Oakland's Requirements Inside Out
Years of experience with Ordinance No. 7345, priority tier requirements, and permit processes. We’ve guided property owners through city inspections and helped them meet compliance deadlines without stress.
Licensed Engineers, Not Subcontractors
Our structural engineers design every retrofit plan. Your building gets a custom solution from our experienced crews, not random subcontractors.
Tenants Stay in Place
Detailed Tenant Habitability Plans keep residents comfortable during construction. Hundreds of occupied buildings completed with minimal disruption and full compliance with Pasadena guidelines.
Areas We Serve Across California
Common Questions
Clear Answers for Building Owners
Multi-family wood-frame buildings with open ground floors (parking, large openings) built before November 12, 1976, with five or more units are typically required to retrofit under Ordinance No. 7345.
Single-family homes and buildings with four or fewer units are not covered by the mandatory ordinance but can take advantage of voluntary retrofit incentives and state grants.
Most retrofits take 4 to 8 weeks depending on building size, complexity, and occupancy. Timeline factors include permit processing, weather conditions, and inspection scheduling. We provide realistic timelines during your evaluation and keep you updated throughout.
Yes. Our Tenant Habitability Program ensures safety and clear communication throughout the process. Work happens primarily at ground level and building exteriors, minimizing disruption to living spaces. We coordinate with property management to keep tenants safely in place while meeting Pasadena's habitability standards.
Costs vary based on building size, condition, and retrofit scope. Soft-story multifamily buildings typically range from $50,000 to $500,000 depending on size and structural requirements. Single-family homes often cost $5,000 to $15,000 for standard work.
We provide transparent estimates after your free inspection. Available grants (up to $3,000 from EBB, up to $13,000 from ESS) can significantly reduce out-of-pocket expenses.
Absolutely. Retrofitted properties are more attractive to buyers and tenants because they offer enhanced safety and compliance. Buildings meeting current seismic standards command higher market values and often qualify for lower insurance premiums.
Non-retrofitted buildings face declining value as compliance deadlines pass and earthquake risk remains unaddressed.
Missing deadlines can result in city fines, legal liability, and increased risk during earthquakes. If you've missed your permit deadline, it's critical to start the retrofit process immediately. We can help you get back on track with the city and complete your retrofit efficiently.
Non-retrofitted buildings face declining value as compliance deadlines pass and earthquake risk remains unaddressed.
Waiting Costs More Than a Retrofit. Schedule Your Free Inspection Today
Many Pasadena property owners are past their compliance deadlines. The Sierra Madre and Raymond Faults don’t care about permits or budgets. When the next major earthquake hits, unprepared buildings will fail.
Schedule your free evaluation today. We’ll assess your building, explain exactly what Pasadena requires, and give you a clear path to full compliance and protection.
