Los Angeles, CA Earthquake Safety: Unreinforced Masonry (2026)
Key Facts
- Scope
- Buildings constructed or permitted before October 6, 1933 with unreinforced masonry bearing walls
- Exception
- Detached 1–2 family homes and apartment houses with fewer than 5 units used solely for residential purposes
- Analysis deadline
- 270 days after service of Department order
- Permit deadline
- Within 1 year after service of order
- Completion deadline
- Within 3 years after service of order
- Priority I (Essential Buildings)
- Served immediately (0 days minimum); Priority IV (Low-Risk, <20 occupants) served after 4 years
Summary
Los Angeles mandates seismic analysis and retrofit or demolition of all unreinforced masonry bearing wall buildings constructed before October 6, 1933, with compliance deadlines based on occupancy risk classification. Buildings that do not meet minimum standards must be structurally altered or demolished.
SEC. 91.8802. SCOPE. The provisions of this division shall apply to all buildings constructed or under construction prior to October 6, 1933, or for which a building permit was issued prior to October 6, 1933, which on the effective date of this ordinance have unreinforced masonry bearing walls as defined herein. EXCEPTION: This division shall not apply to detached one- or two-family dwellings and detached apartment houses containing less than 5 dwelling units and used solely for residential purposes.
SEC. 91.8805. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS. The owner of each building within the scope of this division shall cause a structural analysis to be made of the building by a civil or structural engineer or architect licensed by the state of California, and if the building does not meet the minimum earthquake standards specified in this division, the owner shall cause it to be structurally altered to conform to such standards or cause the building to be demolished.
Full Breakdown
The program applies to any building with unreinforced masonry bearing walls constructed or permitted before October 6, 1933, but exempts detached one- or two-family dwellings and apartment houses with fewer than five dwelling units used solely for residential purposes. Buildings are classified into four rating tiers, Essential, High-Risk (100+ occupants), Medium-Risk, and Low-Risk, that determine service-order priority. Upon receiving a Department order, owners have 270 days to submit a structural analysis and plans, one year to obtain a permit, and three years total to complete required construction or demolition. Non-compliant buildings may be vacated; if still uncured 90 days after a vacate order, the Department may order demolition.
Violations & Fines
Maintaining, using, or occupying a building within the scope of Division 88 that does not meet minimum earthquake standards is a misdemeanor (LAMC § 91.8812). Any owner, lessor, sublessor, manager, or person in control may be held liable. The Department may order the building vacated and, after 90 days of non-compliance following the vacate order, may order demolition under LAMC § 91.8903.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this mandatory retrofit apply to my 2-unit duplex?
What happens if I cannot afford the retrofit within the required timeline?
How do I know if my building is subject to Division 88?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Los Angeles
California rules heatmap·Compare Los Angeles to another location·View the California earthquake safety overview
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