Soft-Story Seismic Retrofit Compliance
Last updated: August 27, 2026
What are the compliance steps?
Per Ordinance 183893 §91.9305.1, a California civil or structural engineer or architect prepares the structural analysis. The printed close-out items are the County Recorder certificate (§91.9306.6) and the statement on approved plans (§91.9310.2). The ordinance does not print a documentation-receipt or inspection-approval gate as the dismiss act.
| Step | Action | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Retrofit design | California civil or structural engineer or architect (§91.9305.1) |
| 2 | County Recorder certificate | Department files (§91.9306.6) |
| 3 | Statement on approved plans | Civil or structural engineer or architect (§91.9310.2 / §91.9305.1) |
What documentation proves compliance?
Per Ordinance 183893, the Department files a County Recorder certificate (§91.9306.6) and the design professional (a California civil or structural engineer or architect per §91.9305.1) puts a statement on the approved plans (§91.9310.2). Those are the two printed close-out items. The ordinance does not print inspection approvals or a documentation packet as the dismiss act.
| Document | Preparer | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| County Recorder certificate (§91.9306.6) | Department | Department-filed official close-out |
| Statement on approved plans (§91.9310.2) | Design professional (California civil or structural engineer or architect per §91.9305.1) | Design professional close-out statement |
Frequently asked questions
What is required for soft-story seismic retrofit compliance?
Per Ordinance 183893 §91.9305.1, a civil or structural engineer or architect prepares the structural analysis. The printed close-out items are the County Recorder certificate (§91.9306.6) and the statement on approved plans (§91.9310.2).
Does compliance require building department approval?
Ordinance 183893 does not print inspection or permit approval as the dismiss act. The printed close-out items are the County Recorder certificate (§91.9306.6) and the statement on approved plans (§91.9310.2).