LA's mandatory soft-story retrofit program under Ordinance 183893 (2015) requires approximately 13,500 wood-frame buildings with soft, weak, or open-front walls to be seismically strengthened. Priority 1 buildings (3+ stories with ground-floor commercial) had an April 2024 deadline. Priority 2 buildings (remaining soft-story) face an April 2026 deadline. Enforced by LADBS with escalating daily fines for non-compliance.
Ordinance 183893, the Earthquake Hazard Reduction in Existing Wood-Frame Buildings with Soft, Weak, or Open-Front Walls, was enacted in 2015 and applies to wood-frame buildings permitted or built before January 1, 1978, with ground-floor parking or similar open space and four or more dwelling units. The program covers approximately 13,500 buildings citywide. Buildings are classified into two priority tiers: Priority 1 includes buildings with three or more stories and ground-floor commercial occupancy, while Priority 2 covers all remaining qualifying structures, typically two- or three-story residential buildings with tuck-under garages. From the date an Order to Comply is issued, owners have 2 years to submit plans, 3.5 years to obtain a permit, and 7 years to complete construction. LADBS administers the program and enforces compliance. Retrofit work must meet ASCE 41 performance standards. The city has stated enforcement will be aggressive after deadlines pass.
Daily fines accumulating after deadline passes, potentially reaching tens of thousands of dollars. LADBS may issue Orders to Vacate for non-compliant buildings posing immediate danger. Criminal misdemeanor charges possible for willful non-compliance under LAMC.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles tows vehicles left on any public street for over 72 consecutive hours under LAMC 80.73.2 and California Vehicle Code 22651(k). Vehicles also qual...
Los Angeles, CA
LA Sanitation collects black (trash) and green (organics) carts weekly and the blue recycling cart every other week, all on one day. Find your day and recycl...
Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles Ordinance 187200 added LAMC section 195.30 to ban food vendors and city facilities from using expanded polystyrene foam containers, cups, plates,...
Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles bans launching, landing, or operating drones over all city parks and beaches under LAMC 56.31. Recreational pilots must follow FAA rules: stay be...
Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles banned single-use plastic carryout bags at large supermarkets effective January 1, 2014 and extended the ban citywide to all retailers on July 1,...
Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles enforces the federal Tobacco 21 minimum age plus California state law. All tobacco and vape sales to anyone under 21 are prohibited. LA County al...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Los Angeles County.
See how other cities in Los Angeles County handle soft-story retrofit.
See how Los Angeles's soft-story retrofit rules stack up against other locations.
Quick Compare
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.