LA PML Versus

LADBS Soft-Story Order Close Process

The LADBS soft-story Order close process is city ordinance acts, not a lender PML/SEL: Department County Recorder certificates under §91.9306.6 (scope/order at service; terminating certificate after alterations/analysis) and the statement on the approved plans under §91.9310.2 by a California civil or structural engineer or architect (§91.9305.1). Lender PML/SEL appraisals do not close the city Order.

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. Lender PML/SEL appraisals do not close the city Order.

Last updated: August 28, 2026

Visit dbs.lacity.gov for official requirements and deadlines.

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 an Order-dismiss pairing):

Ordinance itemOrdinance sectionWho provides it
County Recorder certificate§91.9306.6Department — scope/order at service; terminating certificate after alterations/analysis
Statement on the approved plans§91.9310.2California civil or structural engineer or architect (§91.9305.1)

How long does dismissal take?

§91.9306.6 states that the Department may file a certificate terminating the above recorded status after demolition, not-in-scope finding, or structural alterations or analysis. The ordinance does not list a lender PML/SEL as what closes the Order.

Frequently asked questions

What closes an LADBS soft-story Order to Comply?

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.

Can I close the Order before finishing the retrofit?

No. Per Ordinance 183893, §91.9306.6 lists County Recorder recordation at order service and a later certificate terminating the recorded status after demolition, not-in-scope finding, or structural alterations or analysis. §91.9310.2 lists engineer/architect statements on the approved plans (design-time text, not an Order-dismiss act). §91.9305.1 lists civil or structural engineer or architect.

Who provides the County Recorder certificate and the statement on the approved plans?

Ordinance 183893 states that the Department provides the County Recorder certificate (§91.9306.6) — scope/order at service; terminating certificate after alterations/analysis. The statement on the approved plans (§91.9310.2) is provided by a California civil or structural engineer or architect (§91.9305.1). Neither clause is listed as an Order-dismiss pairing.

Does Ordinance 183893 list a lender PML/SEL as what closes the Order?

No. §91.9306.6 states that the Department may file a certificate terminating the above recorded status after demolition, not-in-scope finding, or structural alterations or analysis. The ordinance does not list a lender PML/SEL as what closes the Order.

Related