Earthquake Safety in Los Angeles, CA (2026)
4 verified earthquake safety rules for Los Angeles, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Soft-Story Retrofit
Los Angeles mandates seismic retrofit of wood-frame buildings built before January 1, 1978 where the ground floor contains parking or other open space below one or more upper stories (soft-story / tuck-under buildings). Owners must submit retrofit plans within 2 years, obtain permits within 3.5 years, and complete work within 7 years of receiving a Department order.
Earthquake Safety: Soft Story Retrofit
Significant RestrictionsLAMC § 91.9302; § 91.9305.2
SEC. 91.9302. SCOPE. The provisions of this division shall apply to all existing buildings of wood-frame construction, or wood-frame portions thereof, where: 1. A permit for construction of a new building was applied for before January 1, 1978, or, if no permit can be located, the structure is determined by the Department to have been built under building code standards enacted before J...
Unreinforced Masonry
Los Angeles mandates seismic analysis and retrofit or demolition of all unreinforced masonry bearing wall buildings constructed before October 6, 1933, with compliance deadlines based on occupancy risk classification. Buildings that do not meet minimum standards must be structurally altered or demolished.
Earthquake Safety: Unreinforced Masonry
Significant RestrictionsLAMC § 91.8802; § 91.8805
SEC. 91.8802. SCOPE. The provisions of this division shall apply to all buildings constructed or under construction prior to October 6, 1933, or for which a building permit was issued prior to October 6, 1933, which on the effective date of this ordinance have unreinforced masonry bearing walls as defined herein. EXCEPTION: This division shall not apply to detached one- or two-family dwel...
Non-Ductile Concrete Retrofit
LA requires mandatory seismic evaluation and retrofit or demolition of concrete buildings constructed before January 13, 1976. Owners have up to 25 years from a Department order to complete the work.
Earthquake Safety: Non Ductile Concrete
Significant RestrictionsLAMC §§ 91.9502, 91.9504 (Division 95, Article 1, Chapter IX)
SEC. 91.9502. SCOPE. The provisions of this division shall apply to any existing concrete building built pursuant to a permit application for a new building that was submitted before January 13, 1976, or, if no permit can be located, the structure is determined by the Department to have been built under building code standards enacted before January 13, 1976. EXCEPTIONS: This division shall no...
Wood-Frame Retrofit
LA mandates seismic retrofits for existing wood-frame buildings with soft, weak, or open-front wall lines. Owners have up to 7 years from a Department order to complete the work or demolish.
Earthquake Safety: Wood Frame Retrofit
Significant RestrictionsLAMC § 91.9305 (Division 93, Article 1, Chapter IX)
SEC. 91.9305. COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS. 91.9305.1. General. The owner of each building within the scope of this division shall cause a structural analysis to be made of the building by a civil or structural engineer or architect licensed by the state of California, and if the building does not meet the minimum earthquake standards specified in this division, the owner shall cause the building t...
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County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Los Angeles city rules.
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