Wood-Frame Retrofit: Castaic vs Los Angeles
How do wood-frame retrofit rules compare between Castaic, CA and Los Angeles, CA?
Castaic and Los Angeles have similar restriction levels.
Castaic, CA
Los Angeles County
LA County Ordinance 2017-0061 added Title 26 Chapter 95 requiring seismic retrofit of soft-story wood-frame multi-unit buildings in unincorporated areas. Owners of pre-1978 buildings with five or more units over open parking must evaluate and retrofit on a phased schedule.
View full Castaic rules →Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles County
LAMC §91.9504 mandates seismic retrofit of soft-story wood-frame multifamily buildings with tuck-under parking, while §91.9505 sets standards for cripple-wall and shear-wall reinforcement of older wood-frame structures across Los Angeles.
View full Los Angeles rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Castaic | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Code section | Title 26 Chapter 95 | - |
| Adopted | Ordinance 2017-0061 | - |
| Buildings covered | Pre-1978 5+ unit soft-story | - |
| Retrofit deadline | Seven years from Order | - |
| Design standard | CEBC Chapter A4 or ASCE 41 | - |
| Soft-story section | - | LAMC §91.9504 |
| Construction deadline | - | 7 years from order |
| Buildings affected | - | Pre-1978 multifamily wood frame |
| Single-family grant | - | Up to $3,000 EBB |
| Cost pass-through | - | Up to $38 monthly RSO |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Castaic FAQ
Does the ordinance apply to single-family homes?
No. Title 26 Chapter 95 covers multi-unit buildings with five or more dwelling units. Single-family homes and duplexes are exempt, though voluntary Brace + Bolt retrofits qualify for state CRMP grants up to $3,000.
Can owners pass retrofit costs to tenants?
In RSO units under Title 8.52, owners may apply for a capital-improvement pass-through capped at half the cost amortized over ten years. Non-RSO units allow rent increases at lease renewal subject to AB-1482 caps.
Los Angeles FAQ
Does my duplex need a soft-story retrofit?
Only if it has two or more stories with parking or open-front walls under living space, was permitted before 1978, and contains at least one rental unit. LADBS will have mailed an order.
What about my older single-family home?
Voluntary. Apply for the California Earthquake Brace + Bolt program for grants covering foundation bolting and cripple-wall bracing. LADBS issues a separate over-the-counter retrofit permit.
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