How do I find a Contractor?
Please visit the Contractors State License Board for information regarding hiring a contractor and to verify if a contractor is licensed and insured: http://cslb.ca.gov.
What are the time limits to comply?
Within two (2) years after the service date of the Order to Comply, a structural analysis and plans to either retrofit or demolish, or proof of previous retrofit shall be submitted to the Department for review if the building meets the minimum requirements of this ordinance.2
Within three-and-a-half (3 ½) years after the service date of the Order to Comply, obtain all permits for retrofit or demolition of the building.
3 ½Within seven (7) years after the service date of the Order to Comply, complete construction or demolition work and finalize permits.
7What is the scope of this program?
This program applies to all existing buildings with the following criteria:Two or more stories wood frame construction wood frame construction Built under the building code standards enacted before January 1, 1978 Contains ground or other similar open floor space that causes soft, weak or open wall lines.
- Two or more stories wood frame construction wood frame construction
- Built under the building code standards enacted before January 1, 1978
- Contains ground or other similar open floor space that causes soft, weak or open wall lines.
Exception: The program does not apply to residential buildings with 3 or less units.
What is retrofit?
Retrofit is an improvement to your building by altering or adding any structural elements.
Soft-story Sample
Waiting for Soft-Story Content
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.
What is this program about?
The purpose of this program is to reduce the risk of injury or loss of life that may result from the effects of earthquakes on wood frame soft-story buildings. In the Northridge Earthquake, many wood frame soft- story buildings caused loss of life, injury, and property damage. This program creates a guide for property owners on strengthening their building to improve performance during an earthquake.
What is Tuck-Under Parking?
This type of parking is parking beneath the 2nd floor.