Soft-Story Seismic Retrofit Compliance
Soft-story seismic retrofit compliance: a California civil or structural engineer or architect prepares the structural analysis (retrofit design). The Department files the County Recorder certificate (§91.9306.6). The civil or structural engineer or architect provides the statement on approved plans (§91.9310.2 / §91.9305.1). The ordinance does not list a documentation-receipt, inspection-approval gate, or lender PML/SEL as an Order-dismiss act.
Last updated: August 28, 2026
What are the compliance steps?
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. The ordinance does not list a documentation-receipt, inspection-approval gate, or lender PML/SEL as an Order-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, §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 clauses are listed separately. The ordinance does not list inspection approvals, a documentation packet, or a lender PML/SEL as an Order-dismiss act.
| Document | Preparer | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| County Recorder certificate (§91.9306.6) | Department | At order service: Department files scope/order certificate with County Recorder; may later file certificate terminating recorded status (§91.9306.6) |
| Statement on approved plans (§91.9310.2) | Design professional (California civil or structural engineer or architect per §91.9305.1) | Engineer's or Architect's Statement on the approved plans (design-time text, not an Order-dismiss act) (§91.9310.2) |
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. §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.
Does compliance require building department approval?
Ordinance 183893 does not list inspection or permit approval as an Order-dismiss act. §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 are the compliance steps?
Per Ordinance 183893 §91.9305.1, a California civil or structural engineer or architect prepares the structural analysis (retrofit design). The Department files the County Recorder certificate (§91.9306.6). The civil or structural engineer or architect provides the statement on approved plans (§91.9310.2 / §91.9305.1). The ordinance does not list a documentation-receipt, inspection-approval gate, or lender PML/SEL as an Order-dismiss act.
What documentation does Ordinance 183893 list?
§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, and may later file a 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 plan text, not an Order-dismiss act. Those clauses are listed separately. The ordinance does not list inspection approvals, a documentation packet, or a lender PML/SEL as an Order-dismiss act.
Related
- Does a lender PML close an LADBS soft-story Order, or does the owner still buy a separate ordinance engineering package?
- Los Angeles Retrofit Order Requirements
- Ordinance 183893 Compliance Documentation
- LA Soft-Story Retrofit Completion
- LADBS Order to Comply Engineering
- Structural Engineer Letter Ordinance Compliance