Soft-Story Retrofit: San Jose vs Sunnyvale
How do soft-story retrofit rules compare between San Jose, CA and Sunnyvale, CA?
San Jose, CA
Santa Clara County
San Jose's mandatory soft-story retrofit ordinance (No. 31123) targets approximately 3,500 wood-frame buildings containing about 25,000 housing units. Originally effective April 1, 2025, City Council delayed the start to April 1, 2026. Buildings are divided into three groups: Group 1 (pre-1978, 5+ units) must complete retrofit by April 2031, Group 2 (1978-1990, 5+ units) by April 2032, and Group 3 (pre-1990, 3+ units) by April 2033.
View full San Jose rules →Sunnyvale, CA
Santa Clara County
No data available yet for Sunnyvale.
Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | San Jose | Sunnyvale |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinance | No. 31123 | - |
| Buildings Affected | ~3,500 (25,000 units) | - |
| Effective Date | April 1, 2026 (delayed) | - |
| Group 1 Deadline | April 2031 | - |
| Group 2 Deadline | April 2032 | - |
| Group 3 Deadline | April 2033 | - |
| FEMA Grant | $4.6 million | - |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
San Jose FAQ
Does San Jose require soft-story retrofits?
Yes. Ordinance 31123 requires retrofit of wood-frame buildings built before 1990 with 3+ units and 2+ stories. The program takes effect April 1, 2026 (delayed from 2025) with phased deadlines through 2033 depending on building age and size.
What are the compliance deadlines for San Jose soft-story retrofits?
Group 1 (pre-1978, 5+ units): April 2031. Group 2 (1978-1990, 5+ units): April 2032. Group 3 (pre-1990, 3+ units): April 2033. All groups must complete screening by October 2027.
Is there financial assistance for San Jose soft-story retrofits?
Yes. The city received a $4.6 million FEMA grant to assist property owners with retrofit costs. The program was designed with equity and cost control goals.
Sunnyvale FAQ
No FAQs available.
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