Los Angeles Retrofit Order Requirements
Los Angeles retrofit Order requirements: owners of soft-story buildings must complete seismic retrofits per Ordinance 183893. Hire California licensed professional for design; submit to LADBS for approval; complete retrofit per plans. Designer license is civil or structural engineer or architect (§91.9305.1). §91.9305.1 does not list observation reports or a documentation-receipt gate.
Last updated: August 28, 2026
What must the owner do?
Per Ordinance 183893 §91.9305.1, a California civil or structural engineer or architect prepares the structural analysis. §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. §91.9305.1 does not list observation reports or a documentation-receipt gate.
| Requirement | Action | Deadline impact |
|---|---|---|
| Engineer retention | Hire California licensed professional for design | Must allow time for design |
| Permit submission | Submit to LADBS for approval | Review time varies |
| Construction | Complete retrofit per plans | Must finish before deadline |
| Designer license | Civil or structural engineer or architect (§91.9305.1) | Published designer class only |
| Recordation / plan statements | §91.9306.6 recordation + terminating certificate; §91.9310.2 plan statements (design-time, not dismiss act) | Complete before deadline |
What documentation is required?
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. Those are the published recordation and plan-statement clauses.
| Document | Submitted by | Listed in ordinance? |
|---|---|---|
| County Recorder certificate (§91.9306.6) | Department | Yes |
| Statement on approved plans (§91.9310.2) | Design professional (California civil or structural engineer or architect per §91.9305.1) | Yes |
Frequently asked questions
What are Los Angeles retrofit Order requirements?
Owners of soft-story buildings must complete seismic retrofits per Ordinance 183893. §91.9305.1 states that a civil or structural engineer or architect prepares the structural analysis. §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.
What happens if the owner misses the deadline?
Missing the deadline can result in enforcement actions by LADBS.
What must the owner do under Ordinance 183893?
Per Ordinance 183893 §91.9305.1, a California civil or structural engineer or architect prepares the structural analysis. §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 does not list observation reports or a documentation-receipt gate.
What documentation is required?
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 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. Those are the published recordation and plan-statement clauses.
Related
- Does a lender PML close an LADBS soft-story Order, or does the owner still buy a separate ordinance engineering package?
- Ordinance 183893 Compliance Documentation
- LADBS Noncompliant Building Order
- LADBS Compliance Timeline Soft-Story
- Soft-Story Seismic Retrofit Compliance
- LADBS Order to Comply Engineering