Los Angeles Seismic Retrofitting Compliance Assistance

ORDINANCE 183893

Ordinance 183893 is concerned with the definition and compliance of buildings identified for the seismic retrofit program. Specifically, Ordinance 183893 applies the retrofit requirement to:

•     Buildings that have a wood frame and were permitted or built before January 1, 1978.
•     Buildings whose ground floor contain a parking space or other similar open /semi-open spaces.
•     Buildings that contain four or more dwelling units.

Ordinance 183893 also prioritizes the identification and selection of buildings in the following manner:

•     Priority I (Highest) – Buildings with 16 or more dwelling units. This priority has two sub-categories:

  o   3 stories and above – the orders were sent out to these buildings on May 2nd, 2016.

  o   2 story – the orders were sent out to these buildings on July 22nd, 2016.

•     Priority II – Buildings with 3 or more stories and contain less than 16 units. – The orders were sent out to these buildings on October 17th, 2016.
•     Priority III – All buildings not falling within Priority I or Priority II

  o   Buildings with 9-15 units – the orders were sent out to these buildings on July 24th, 2017.

  o   Buildings with 7-8 units – the orders were sent out to these buildings on August 21st, 2017.

  o   Buildings with 4-6 units – the orders were sent out to these buildings on September 25th, 2017.

  o   Condos and Commercial units – the orders were sent out to these buildings on November 6th, 2017.

ORDINANCE 184081

Ordinance 184081 is concerned with the Time Limits for Compliance for the seismic retrofit program. Specifically, Ordinance 184081 applies the time limits compliance in the following manner:

• The owner is expected to submit the structural analysis to demonstrate existing compliance within 2 years of receiving the order.
•     The owner is expected to submit a structural analysis to demonstrate a proposed structural alteration to meet seismic retrofit requirements within 2 years of receiving the order.
•     The owner is expected to submit the plans for demolition of the building within 2 years of receiving the order.
•     The owner is expected to obtain all necessary permits for rehabilitation or demolition within three and a half (3.5) years after the service of the order.
•     The owner is expected to complete construction or demolition work under all necessary permits within seven (7) years after service of the order.

You Need to Retrofit if:

While this can all be quite confusing and if you feel like you might not need to consider a retrofit because it doesn’t match the criteria mentioned above, wait up! The ordinances only apply to wooden structures and non-ductile concrete structures for now. However, it is always wise to check if your building is earthquake ready and if a retrofit may be required.

The Department of Building and Safety has already identified the buildings that require a seismic retrofit in the city of Los Angeles and has sent out notices to each of the property owners requiring them to start work on their properties.