If you’re a property owner in Los Angeles with a wood-frame apartment building, especially one built before 1978 with tuck-under parking, this affects you.
In 2015, LA passed Ordinance 183893 to prevent catastrophic damage and loss of life during earthquakes. If your building isn’t retrofitted, it’s at risk, and you’re legally required to act. The city is no longer waiting for disaster to strike.
What’s a Soft-Story Building and Why It’s a Problem
A soft-story building is a multi-story structure with a weak or open first floor, typically featuring wide openings for parking underneath the upper floors. These spaces lack the lateral support needed to withstand seismic movement, making them especially vulnerable to collapse during an earthquake.
If your building looks like this, it likely qualifies under the ordinance, and it’s time to take action.
What LA Ordinances 183893 and 184081 Mean for You
Ordinance 183893 – Who Must Retrofit?
The Los Angeles seismic retrofitting ordinance states that your building must comply if it:t
- Has a ground floor portion that has parking or open space
- Is made of wood-frame
- Was built before January 1, 1978
- Has four or more units
These buildings must be retrofitted to meet new seismic safety standards.
Ordinance 184081– Your Timeline for Compliance
The city doesn’t just require action—they’ve set strict deadlines:
Within 2 Years of Notification:
- Submit a structural analysis that proves:
- Your building already complies,
- Or submit retrofit plans,
- Or submit demolition plans.
Within 3.5 Years:
- Pull all necessary permits for retrofitting or demolition.
Within 7 Years:
- Complete construction or demolition in accordance with the permit.
Failure to meet these deadlines can result in fines, legal action, and tenant safety concerns.
Not Sure If Your Building Qualifies? Here’s a Quick Check:
You’re likely required to retrofit if your building:
- Is made of wood
- Was built before 1978
- Has two or more stories
- Includes tuck-in or soft parking
- Has three or more units
If it’s made of brick or concrete, you’re likely exempt. But don’t guess, get a professional assessment to be sure.
Ready to Avoid Fines—and Keep Your Tenants Safe?
Let’s talk. Whether you need a retrofit assessment, plan submission, or a full project handled from start to finish, we’re here to make it easy.
At Retrofit1, we offer earthquake retrofitting in Los Angeles, Orange County, Long Beach, Burbank, and throughout Los Angeles County.
We also offer earthquake retrofitting in San Francisco, San Jose, Oakland, Berkeley, and more.
Don’t wait until it’s too late. Schedule your free consultation with Retrofit1 today.
