Your Apartment Building Retrofit: Frequently Asked Questions

Written by Saunders Seismic on 17th September 2018

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 built prior to 1978 that have at least two stories and contain a parking structure or an open space on the ground floor, with a dwelling or office space above. The building department will notify you. 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 two years to submit proof. If you have not, you must complete an apartment building retrofit within seven years and acquire a permit for either construction or demolition within 3.5 years.

Can My Tenants Stay In The Building?

Your tenants will most often 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 it uninhabitable during the retrofit.

How Much Work Will My Apartment Building Retrofit Require?

A retrofit company can only tell you what work needs to be done on your apartment building 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, feasible options, and how much the apartment building retrofit will cost.

Simplify Your Apartment Building Retrofit with Saunders Seismic

Saunders Seismic is here to guide you through the soft-story retrofit process. From inspections to construction, we provide expert support to help you meet compliance deadlines, minimize tenant disruption, and ensure your building is safer during earthquakes.