The City of Los Angeles recently passed Ordinance 183893 authorizing the demolition of Soft Story pre-1978 wood-frame structures and non-ductile concrete buildings. The purpose of the compulsory refurbishment programs under the ordinance is to reduce these structural deficiencies and to improve the performance of these buildings during earthquakes. Without adequate protection, these fragile buildings may be subject to structural failure during and/or after an earthquake.

When you receive an order from the City of Los Angeles, you may need to update your building. You need to employ a licensed professional engineer (civil or structural) to conduct a structural evaluation of your house. The inquiry will decide whether or not the order needs the refurbishment of your house. Failure to comply with the order is a misdemeanor and may result in arrest and/or administrative compliance under the Los Angeles Municipal Code.

Buildings that are most vulnerable have been classified with the following criteria: Consisting of two or more floors of wood frame construction Built according to building code requirements adopted prior to January 1, 1978 Requires ground floor parking or other equivalent open floor space The approximate 13,500 Soft Story buildings in Los Angeles alone have been listed as being in need of refurbishment. The City of Los Angeles has now become compulsory to retrofit Soft Story buildings.

To get started today or for more information, please contact us today to schedule a FREE on-site review by our team of Soft Story experts or call us at

 (818) 287-8002