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Soft story retrofit is now required by law!Soft story retrofitting in Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and West Hollywood are not just recommended, they are required by Law!
Bay Cities Construction has been a California licensed contractor for more than 15 years. We pride ourselves as your learning center when considering a major construction project. Bay Cities Construction has published many articles about Soft story retrofitting in Los Angeles and Santa Monica, CA. You can click here to access them. Los Angeles now has the nation's toughest earthquake safety rules.
Los Angeles City Soft Story retrofit Ordinance 183893 and 184081 detail which
structures are affected. The city of West Hollywood passed Ordinance 17-1004 and Ordinance 17-1011 bringing new seismic requirements for seismic retrofitting within their municipality. This year the city council of Santa Monica passed Ordinance 2537 to require seismic retrofitting of buildings that are at-risk of collapsing during an earthquake.
Why do we have to retrofit our soft story building? Why was this law enacted?Los Angeles City Soft Story retrofit Ordinance 183893 and 184081 detail which structures are affected.
Soft story structures designed and approved prior to 1979 are considered weak by current engineering standards. A considerable amount of soft story buildings were constructed between 1960 – 1979.
These structures have the propensity of experiencing catastrophically damaged in the event of a major earthquake. Soft story structures have failed during significant seismic activity. They are weak because they have un-reinforced openings on the ground floor which caused far more movement than the structure can withstand. When this happens, resulting in the upper floors COLLAPSING on top of the lower level.
The weakest parts of the building are structurally reinforced to be able to resist seismic movement during an earthquake. In many cases structural steel connectors and I-beams are used. In most cases glue-lam beams and steel connection hardware are used to carry strengthen the weak sections of a structure.
Bay Cities Construction has been serving the South Bay region of Los Angeles for over 15 years. We are a California Licensed General Contractor that can help you with all your seismic retrofitting needs. Our team of Pros can provide architectural and engineering services, project management, and even interior design. Together we bring decades worth of experience to complete your seismic retrofit project on time and on budget.
A soft story retrofit is large and complex; you’ll want a team of experienced pros to support you every step of the way. Our turn-key project service ensures that all required paperwork and permits are filled out by our team, so you have nothing to worry about. When the seismic retrofit construction is completed your building will comply to seismic ordinances and will be ready for the next earthquake in Southern California. If you are ready to speak to a California Licensed General Contractor about your soft story retrofit, you can schedule a conversation by clicking on the image below.
