Your Apartment Building Retrofit: Frequently Asked Questions
Los Angeles recently passed Ordinance 183893, which requires building owners to retrofit any wood framed or soft-story buildings built prior to 1978, and other cities in California will likely follow suit. The law is intended to make buildings more structurally sound and safer during earthquakes, and it may require you to seek an apartment building retrofit.
If you are wondering whether you need an apartment building retrofit or what the process will entail, here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
Am I Required to Perform an Apartment Building Retrofit?
Ordinance 183893 requires a retrofit for buildings that were built prior to 1978, have at least 2 stories, and contain a parking structure or an open space on the ground floor, with a dwelling or office space above. You would be notified by the building department. The Building Department has posted resources for buildings that fit these criteria on the LADBS website.
When Should My Apartment Building Retrofit Be Completed?
If you have already completed an apartment building retrofit previously, the ordinance provides building owners with a two-year period in which they can submit proof. If you have not, you are required to complete an apartment building retrofit within 7 years, and must acquire a permit for either construction or demolition within 3.5 years.
Can My Tenants Stay In The Building?
More often than not, your tenants will be able to stay in their units during an apartment building retrofit. In rare cases, tenants may be required to leave the building if the City of Los Angeles Housing and Community Investment Department deems the building uninhabitable during the retrofit.
How Much Work Will My Apartment Building Retrofit Require?
The only way a retrofit company will be able to tell you what work needs to be done on your apartment building is by performing an inspection. For a budget some pictures and an address will work. This will give them a better idea of what needs to be done, what options are feasible, and how much the apartment building retrofit will cost.
If you need an apartment building retrofit or have questions about the retrofitting process, contact Saunders Seismic for more information.