LA County has no mandatory retrofit ordinance for pre-Northridge welded steel moment-frame buildings. LACoDPW follows FEMA 351-355 evaluation guidance and accepts ASCE 41-17 voluntary upgrades through Title 26 permits, with no countywide deadline.
After the 1994 Northridge earthquake exposed brittle weld fractures in welded steel moment-frame (WSMF) connections, FEMA published the SAC Joint Venture documents (FEMA 350-355) and ASCE 41 incorporated improved acceptance criteria. LA County Building & Safety has not adopted a mandatory retrofit timeline for pre-1994 WSMF buildings in unincorporated areas, unlike Santa Monica's mandatory program. Owners pursuing voluntary evaluation use ASCE 41-17 Tier 3 analysis with FEMA 351 connection assessments. Common retrofits include cover-plate strengthening or reduced beam sections (RBS dogbones). LACoDPW reviews permits under Title 26, and the Office of Statewide Health Planning enforces hospital seismic rules separately.
No retrofit penalties exist for unincorporated WSMF buildings. Owners face premises liability exposure after seismic damage, and OSHPD-regulated hospitals follow separate SB-1953 deadlines independent of county code.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Altadena, CA
LA County allows backyard chickens in R-1 zones in unincorporated areas (including Altadena) subject to coop setbacks under LA County Code Title 10 and Title...
Altadena, CA
LA County Code Section 10.32.010 prohibits dogs running at large in any public place or private property other than the owner's, unless restrained by a chain...
Altadena, CA
Trimming protected oak trees (≥8 in DBH) requires an Oak Tree Permit if the work enters the protected zone or removes >25% of crown. Street trees in the publ...
Altadena, CA
In Altadena's Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones, grass and weeds must be kept under 3 inches under LA County Fire Code Title 32 defensible-space rules.
Altadena, CA
LA County Fire's Brush Clearance program also functions as the weed-abatement ordinance — vacant and improved lots must keep weeds and grasses cut to under 3...
Altadena, CA
Outdoor watering in Altadena (served by Lincoln Avenue Water Co., Las Flores Water Co., Rubio Cañon, and Kinneloa Irrigation District) is limited to 2 days p...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Los Angeles County.
See how Altadena's steel moment-frame retrofit rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.