Earthquake Retrofitting in Pasadena, California
Buildings That Withstand Made For Communities That Thrive
Pasadena Sits in One of California's Most Active Seismic Zones
Pasadena’s proximity to the Sierra Madre Fault and other active seismic zones places many properties at significant risk during an earthquake. With older housing stock and soft-story apartment buildings throughout the area, structural instability is a real concern for property owners. At Retrofit1, we provide earthquake retrofitting in Pasadena, CA, delivering code-compliant seismic reinforcement designed to strengthen multi-unit soft-story buildings and improve performance during ground shaking and lateral movement.
With more than 20 years of experience and over 1,000 completed projects across California, including Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica and other surrounding communities, Retrofit1 is a trusted name in seismic retrofitting. Our licensed contractors serving Pasadena focus on soft-story retrofitting, seismic strengthening, foundation bolting, and shear wall installation. Every solution is engineered to meet California retrofit ordinances and current seismic safety standards, helping property owners reduce liability and protect long-term property value.
Contact Retrofit1 today to schedule a consultation for earthquake retrofitting in Pasadena, CA. We will evaluate your building, explain your compliance requirements, and deliver a clear plan to help ensure your property is structurally reinforced and prepared for future seismic events.
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.
Three major fault systems threaten Pasadena. The Sierra Madre Fault runs along the southern edge of the San Gabriel Mountains, capable of generating magnitude 6.0 to 7.0 earthquakes. The Raymond Fault runs directly beneath parts of Pasadena. The San Andreas Fault sits just 30 miles away.
Pasadena has experienced over 6,400 earthquakes since 1931. The 1991 Sierra Madre earthquake damaged Pasadena City Hall and left over a dozen buildings uninhabitable. The 1994 Northridge earthquake proved that soft-story buildings are especially vulnerable, accounting for significant property damage and loss of life throughout Southern California.
That’s why Pasadena passed a mandatory retrofit ordinance targeting the city’s most vulnerable buildings before the next major earthquake strikes.
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.
Common Questions
Questions Property Owners in Pasadena Still Have
It can. If a building has a weak or open ground floor and meets the city’s age and use criteria, it may still need evaluation even if the ground level includes retail or commercial space.
Yes. Many owners move forward before a notice arrives so they can understand their building’s condition, budget ahead, and avoid last-minute pressure.
Soft-story retrofitting strengthens vulnerable ground-floor openings in larger buildings. Brace and bolt work focuses on securing a structure to its foundation, often in older homes and smaller buildings.
Not always, but they can point to movement, settling, or foundation issues that deserve a closer look. A structural evaluation can help determine whether those signs are cosmetic or part of a larger risk.
Any city notice, past plans, building records, and a basic understanding of the property layout are helpful. If you do not have everything, a qualified team can still guide you through the next steps.
The Best Time to Strengthen Your Building Is Before It Becomes an Emergency
Putting this off rarely makes the process easier. A conversation now can give you clarity on your building’s risk, your likely next steps, and what it would take to move forward without panic, confusion, or last-minute scrambling.