LA PML Versus

LA Soft-Story Retrofit Completion

LA Soft-Story Retrofit Completion is the Department's Certificate of Compliance, not a building permit and not a lender PML/SEL. The official LADBS Soft-Story Retrofit Program status as of February 1, 2024 lists 12,347 soft story buildings, with 7-year compliance labeled obtained certificates of compliance (9,377 complied; 2,970 pending).

The LADBS Soft-Story Retrofit Program status as of February 1, 2024 lists citywide 12,347 soft story buildings. It labels 2-year compliance as plans submitted (11,779 complied; 568 pending), 3.5-year compliance as permits issued (10,970 complied; 1,377 pending), and 7-year compliance as obtained certificates of compliance (9,377 complied; 2,970 pending; chart label 76%). The LADBS Soft-Story Retrofit Program page lists the same 2-year / 3.5-year / 7-year limits from the Order to Comply. Ordinance 183893 §91.9306.6 separately lists a County Recorder certificate terminating recorded status after demolition, not-in-scope finding, or structural alterations or analysis. Lender PML/SEL is not listed as that endpoint.

Last updated: September 1, 2026

What does the official LADBS status report list as the completion endpoint?

The LADBS Soft-Story Retrofit Program status as of February 1, 2024 lists four citywide columns. The 7-year column is labeled obtained certificates of compliance. The 3.5-year column is labeled permits issued. Those are different milestones on the same official chart.

Program milestone (LADBS status as of February 1, 2024)Official column labelCitywide count
Soft story buildingsSOFT STORY BUILDINGS12,347
2-year compliancePLANS SUBMITTED11,779 complied; 568 pending
3.5-year compliancePERMITS ISSUED10,970 complied; 1,377 pending
7-year compliance (completion endpoint)OBTAINED CERTIFICATES OF COMPLIANCE9,377 complied; 2,970 pending (chart label 76%)

Source: LADBS Soft-Story Retrofit Program status as of February 1, 2024 (PDF linked from the LADBS Soft-Story Retrofit Program page).

What time limits apply after the Order to Comply?

The LADBS Soft-Story Retrofit Program page states that the property owner must comply within the following time limit from the receipt of the Order to Comply: 2 years to submit proof of previous retrofit, or plans to retrofit or demolish; 3.5 years to obtain permit to start construction or demolition; 7 years to complete construction. The Ordinance 184081 PDF lists the same §91.9305.2 limits. Time limits are based on the service date of the original order; transfer of title shall not change compliance dates.

What does Ordinance 183893 say about recordation and plan statements?

Per Ordinance 183893, the ordinance says the following about recordation and plan statements (neither clause is listed as a lender-PML close):

Ordinance itemOrdinance sectionWho provides it
County Recorder certificate (scope at order service; terminating certificate after alterations/analysis)§91.9306.6Department files with County Recorder
Statement on the approved plans (design-time plan text, not an Order-dismiss act)§91.9310.2California civil or structural engineer or architect (§91.9305.1)
Lender PML/SEL appraisal—Not a city completion document

What happens after completion?

After the Department files a certificate terminating the recorded status under §91.9306.6 when the published conditions are met, the building is no longer under that recorded status under Ordinance 183893. The official 7-year program column is obtained certificates of compliance. LAHD lists a copy of the Certificate of Compliance for the Seismic Retrofit Work as a required cost-recovery item, separate from final permits. The owner retains those records for future property transfers and lender inquiries. Lender PML/SEL is not listed as what closes the Order.

Frequently asked questions

What marks LA soft-story retrofit completion?

The LADBS status as of February 1, 2024 labels 7-year compliance as obtained certificates of compliance. That report lists 12,347 soft story buildings, 9,377 with certificates of compliance, and 2,970 pending. Ordinance 183893 §91.9306.6 separately lists a County Recorder terminating certificate. A lender PML/SEL is not that endpoint.

Does a building permit mark LA soft-story retrofit completion?

No. The February 1, 2024 LADBS status report lists permits issued as the 3.5-year column (10,970 complied; 1,377 pending), separate from 7-year obtained certificates of compliance. LAHD lists final permits and a copy of the Certificate of Compliance as two required cost-recovery items.

Is the lender PML/SEL part of completion?

No. A lender PML/SEL is a Freddie Mac multifamily earthquake collateral appraisal per ASTM E2026, not a city close-out. The February 1, 2024 LADBS status report labels 7-year compliance as obtained certificates of compliance. Ordinance 183893 §91.9306.6 lists County Recorder recordation and a later terminating certificate, not lender underwriting documents.

What time limits apply after the Order to Comply?

The LADBS Soft-Story Retrofit Program page lists, from the Order to Comply: 2 years to submit plans or proof of previous retrofit; 3.5 years to obtain a permit; 7 years to complete construction. The Ordinance 184081 PDF lists the same §91.9305.2 limits. Transfer of title does not change compliance dates.

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