LA Earthquake Retrofit: Is Your Building on the List?

In 2015, Los Angeles passed Ordinance 183893, one of the most ambitious earthquake safety laws in American history. The law requires the retrofit of approximately 13,500 buildings that are vulnerable to collapse in a major earthquake. If you own, manage, or live in one of these buildings, here is what you need to know.

What buildings are affected

The ordinance targets two categories of buildings. Priority 1 is wood-frame soft-story buildings, typically apartment buildings from the 1950s through 1970s with parking on the ground floor and living space above. The tuck-under parking design creates a weak first story that can collapse in shaking. There are approximately 12,300 of these buildings in LA. Priority 2 is non-ductile concrete buildings, older concrete structures built before 1976 without adequate steel reinforcement. There are about 1,500 of these, including many commercial buildings and older public facilities.

The deadlines

Priority 1 (wood-frame soft-story) buildings had a compliance deadline of April 2024 for obtaining permits and beginning work. Priority 2 (concrete) buildings have a longer timeline extending to April 2026 for permit application. As of early 2026, compliance rates for Priority 1 buildings are approximately 85%, meaning about 1,800 buildings have not yet begun the retrofit process.

What the retrofit involves

For soft-story buildings, the typical retrofit involves adding a steel moment frame to the ground floor parking level. This steel structure provides the rigidity that the original tuck-under parking design lacks. The work usually takes 2 to 4 weeks and costs $60,000 to $200,000 depending on building size. Tenants are not typically displaced during the work, though there may be temporary loss of some parking spaces.

Who pays

Building owners are responsible for the cost. The ordinance allows owners to pass through 50% of the retrofit cost to tenants in RSO buildings, spread over the useful life of the improvement (typically 15 years). This pass-through must be approved by LAHD. For non-RSO buildings, owners can increase rent as the market allows. Owners who fail to comply face fines of up to $1,500 per day and potential criminal prosecution.

How to check your building

The LA Department of Building and Safety maintains a public database where you can search any address to see if it is on the retrofit list and what its compliance status is. The database shows whether the building has filed plans, obtained a permit, or completed the work. Tenants and prospective buyers should check this before signing a lease or making an offer.