what you need to know
In 2015, the City of Los Angeles passed a law (Ordinance 183893), which requires action to be taken within 2 years (of receipt of the city compliance order) which mandates the retrofitting of:
A) Existing Wood-frame buildings with soft, weak or open-front walls.
Does not apply to residential buildings with 3 or less units.
B) Existing non-ductile concrete buildings.
Does not apply to detached single-family dwellings or detached duplexes
Without proper strengthening, these vulnerable buildings may be subjected to structural failure during and/or after an earthquake.
Does not apply to residential buildings with 3 or less units.
Does not apply to detached single-family dwellings or detached duplexes
Does Your Building Comply?
Compliance
A) Wood-Frame Building with Soft, Weak or Open-front Walls.
Referred to as “soft-story,” the 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 (this type of parking beneath the 2nd floor) or even large windows.
B) Non-ductile Concrete Structure
Concrete can’t bend. It’s known by engineers as “non-ductile.” Instead of bending like a paperclip, concrete columns can snap like a piece of chalk. Concrete buildings with a roof and/or floor supported by a concrete wall or concrete column, constructed before January 13, 1977 puts older concrete buildings at risk during a major earthquake.
Compliance Time-Frame
–Within 3 Years — Must have submitted documentation to the City to begin the inspection process.
–Within 10 Years — To establish whether an acceptable retrofit has already been conducted or that a retrofit is required.
–Within 25 Years (total) — The City must approve all completed retrofit work.
We’re Here to Help
Resources
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LA Times: Non-Ductile Concrete Buildings
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LABDS Soft-Story and Non-Ductile Programs
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Santa Monica’s Seismic Retrofit Program
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Santa Monica’s Seismic Retrofit Ordinance 2537
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West Hollywood Seismic Retrofit Program
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Seismic Ordinances in California
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Burbank Soft-Story Ordinance
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Beverly hills seismic retrofit program information
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Safer Cities Survey
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