Los Angeles, CA Earthquake Safety: Wood-Frame Retrofit (2026)
Key Facts
- Scope
- Wood-frame buildings with soft, weak, or open-front wall lines
- Priority I (enforced first)
- Buildings with 16+ dwelling units
- Plans/analysis due
- 2 years after service of order
- Permits due
- 3.5 years after service of order
- Work completion deadline
- 7 years after service of order
- Penalty for non-compliance
- Misdemeanor; order recorded with County Recorder
Summary
LA mandates seismic retrofits for existing wood-frame buildings with soft, weak, or open-front wall lines. Owners have up to 7 years from a Department order to complete the work or demolish.
SEC. 91.9305. COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS.
91.9305.1. General. 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 the building to be structurally altered to conform to such standards or, at the owner's option, cause it to be demolished within the time limits stated in Section 91.9305.2.
91.9305.2. Time Limits for Compliance. The owner of a building within the scope of this division shall comply with its requirements within the following time limits:
1. Within two (2) years after service of the order described in Section 91.9306, submit to the Department for review and approval: a structural analysis and plans which shall demonstrate the building meets or exceeds the requirements set forth in Section 91.9309; or plans for the demolition of the building.
2. Within three and a half (3.5) years after service of the order, obtain all necessary permits for rehabilitation or demolition.
3. Within seven (7) years after service of the order, complete construction or demolition work under all necessary permits.
Full Breakdown
LAMC Division 93 (§§ 91.9301–91.9312) applies to wood-frame buildings of any occupancy that have soft, weak, or open-front wall lines at the ground floor, with an exception for 3-or-fewer-unit purely residential buildings. The Department prioritizes enforcement: Priority I = 16+ dwelling units; Priority II = 3+ stories with fewer than 16 units. Owners must submit structural analysis plans within 2 years of the order, obtain permits within 3.5 years, and complete construction or demolition within 7 years. The order is recorded with the County Recorder and all tenants must be notified.
Violations & Fines
Failure to comply after receiving an order is a misdemeanor. The order is recorded at the County Recorder's Office. Any person who violates or causes another to violate the division is guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to prosecution or administrative enforcement. Exception applies to buildings proceeding in compliance with approved timelines or extensions.
Frequently Asked Questions
My building received a soft-story retrofit order: what is the first deadline?
Does a title transfer reset the compliance clock?
Do tenants have to move out during the retrofit?
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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