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.
Ordinance No. 31123, titled Mandatory Seismic Retrofit of Wood-Frame Target Story Residential Buildings, was approved by San Jose City Council in September 2024. The ordinance targets wood-frame buildings constructed or permitted before January 1, 1990 (or designed to the 1985 or earlier Uniform Building Code) containing two or more stories and three or more dwelling units. An estimated 3,500 buildings with about 25,000 housing units are affected. On March 25, 2025, City Council approved delaying the effective date from April 1, 2025 to April 1, 2026. Buildings are classified into three compliance groups: Group 1 covers pre-1978 buildings with 5+ units (screening by October 2027, completion by April 2031); Group 2 covers 1978-1990 buildings with 5+ units (screening by October 2027, completion by April 2032); Group 3 covers remaining pre-1990 buildings with 3+ units (completion by April 2033). The program was developed by San Jose's Housing Department with three goals: public health and safety, equity and inclusion in cost distribution, and cost controls. A $4.6 million FEMA grant helps fund property owner assistance.
Non-compliance after deadlines: escalating enforcement including fines, orders to vacate, and potential demolition orders. Specific penalty schedule to be established by the Building Division. Screening report failure: separate citation for non-compliance with initial assessment requirements.
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