Soft-Story Retrofit Program

Image of Downtown Los Angeles

For more information, please contact:

Soft-Story Retrofit Unit
201 N. Figueroa St, 8th floor, Suite 890
(213) 482-SOFT (7638)
(213) 202-9924
Soft-storyretrofit@lacity.org

Please note that all plans and structural analysis must be submitted to the above office.

Office Hours:
M, T, Th and F  
7:30 AM - 4:30 PM
CLOSED 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

W
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
CLOSED 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM


For more information about the tenant habitability plan and cost recovery guide, please contact LAHD:

Tenant Habitability Plan Unit
(213) 252-1464
lahd-code-seismic@lacity.org

Cost Recovery Applications & RSO Information
(866) 557- RENT (7368)
lahd-rentadjustment@lacity.org

For more information on the Mayor’s Resilience by Design, please click here

For information regarding California Capital Access Program (possible financing loan) effective January 1, 2017, please visit the California State Treasurer Website


Examples of damage without soft-story retrofit:

Garage door crushed after complete soft-story collapse in Northridge earthquake. Multiple cars crushed in complete soft-story collapse after the Northridge earthquake. Officials examine cars crushed under total soft-story collapse after the Northridge earthquake. Officials examine total collapse of soft-story of apartment complex after Northridge earthquake. Damaged staircase in complete soft-story collapse after Northridge earthquake Collapsed second story of apartment complex onto soft-story after Northridge earthquake. Apartment complex with substantial structural damage to balcony Apartment complex with substantial structural damage on the outside Vehicles crushed under collapsed building Parking lot under apartment complex showing damage to outer wall

Soft-story retrofit process:

Soft-story retrofitting process, showing piles of dirt. Wide view of soft-story retrofitting process. Finished soft-story retrofit, with yellow painted bands. Interior view of finished soft-story retrofit, showing yellow painted bands.

Soft-Story FAQs

Definitions

What is a soft-story building?

A soft-story building is a structure which has a weaker first floor and is unable to carry the weight of the stories above during an earthquake. The first floor generally would have large openings in the perimeter walls such as garages, tuck under parking or even large windows.

General

What is a soft-story building?

A soft-story building is a structure which has a weaker first floor and is unable to carry the weight of the stories above during an earthquake. The first floor generally would have large openings in the perimeter walls such as garages, tuck under parking or even large windows.

Plan Check/Permit

What is a soft-story building?

A soft-story building is a structure which has a weaker first floor and is unable to carry the weight of the stories above during an earthquake. The first floor generally would have large openings in the perimeter walls such as garages, tuck under parking or even large windows.

Inspection

What is a soft-story building?

A soft-story building is a structure which has a weaker first floor and is unable to carry the weight of the stories above during an earthquake. The first floor generally would have large openings in the perimeter walls such as garages, tuck under parking or even large windows.

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