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LADBS Noncompliant Building Order

An LADBS Noncompliant Building Order is an Order to Comply issued to owners of soft-story buildings that do not meet Ordinance 183893 seismic retrofit requirements. The Order mandates retrofit completion by a specified deadline and notifies the owner of the compliance requirement and deadline. Contact LADBS for information on enforcement procedures.

An Order to Comply is issued to owners of soft-story buildings that fail to meet Ordinance 183893 seismic standards. The Order mandates retrofit completion by a deadline. Per Ordinance 183893, §91.9306.6 states that at the time the Department serves the order, the Department shall file with the Office of the County Recorder a certificate stating that the subject building has been determined to be within the scope of this division. The same section states that the Department shall file a certificate terminating the above recorded status if the building is thereafter demolished, found not to be within the scope, or is determined to be structurally capable of resisting minimum seismic forces as a result of structural alterations or analysis. §91.9310.2 states that the responsible engineer or architect shall provide statements on the approved plans — design-time plan text, not an Order-dismiss act. §91.9305.1 states that a civil or structural engineer or architect licensed by the state of California prepares the structural analysis.

Last updated: August 28, 2026

Why is the Order issued?

LADBS issues Orders to Comply to owners of wood-frame buildings with soft, weak, or open-front walls at the ground story. Ordinance 183893 requires these buildings to be seismically retrofitted. The Order notifies the owner of the compliance requirement and deadline.

Order componentDescription
Building identificationAddress and soft-story classification
Ordinance citationOrdinance 183893 requirements
Compliance deadlineDate by which retrofit must be completed
Required actionsSubmit proof/plans, obtain permit, complete construction

What are the compliance timelines?

Per dbs.lacity.gov, the property owner must comply with the ordinance within the following time limit from the receipt of the Order to Comply: 2 years: Submit proof of previous retrofit, or plans to retrofit or demolish; 3.5 years: Obtain permit to start construction or demolition; 7 years: Complete construction.

Deadline from receipt of Order to ComplyRequirement
2 yearsSubmit proof of previous retrofit, or plans to retrofit or demolish
3.5 yearsObtain permit to start construction or demolition
7 yearsComplete construction

Source: DBS Soft Story Retrofit Program

Frequently asked questions

What is an LADBS noncompliant building Order?

An LADBS Order to Comply is issued to owners of soft-story buildings that do not meet Ordinance 183893 seismic retrofit requirements. The Order mandates retrofit completion by a specified deadline. Contact LADBS for information on enforcement procedures.

What does Ordinance 183893 say about recordation and plan statements?

Per Ordinance 183893, §91.9306.6 states that at the time the Department serves the order, the Department shall file with the Office of the County Recorder a certificate stating that the subject building has been determined to be within the scope of this division. The same section states that the Department shall file a certificate terminating the above recorded status if the building is thereafter demolished, found not to be within the scope, or is determined to be structurally capable of resisting minimum seismic forces as a result of structural alterations or analysis. §91.9310.2 states that the responsible engineer or architect shall provide statements on the approved plans — design-time plan text, not an Order-dismiss act. §91.9305.1 states that a civil or structural engineer or architect licensed by the state of California prepares the structural analysis.

Why is the Order issued?

LADBS issues Orders to Comply to owners of wood-frame buildings with soft, weak, or open-front walls at the ground story. Ordinance 183893 requires these buildings to be seismically retrofitted. The Order notifies the owner of the compliance requirement and deadline.

What are the compliance timelines from receipt of the Order to Comply?

Per dbs.lacity.gov, the property owner must comply with the ordinance within the following time limit from the receipt of the Order to Comply: 2 years: Submit proof of previous retrofit, or plans to retrofit or demolish; 3.5 years: Obtain permit to start construction or demolition; 7 years: Complete construction.

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