Structural Engineering Services Across Southern California
- 10940 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 1600 Los Angeles, CA 90024
- 4000 MacArthur Blvd, Suite 600 Newport Beach, CA 92660
- (310) 905-2828
- info@medro-eng.com
Soft-Story Seismic Retrofit – City of Glendale
Compliance Deadlines
Glendale’s soft-story retrofit ordinance, targeting pre-1978 wood-frame buildings with open ground floors, requires compliance to mitigate collapse risks during earthquakes. Owners generally have two years to provide structural reports, 3.5 years for permits, and 7 years to complete retrofits.
Notice Received
The city identifies affected buildings (roughly 1,000 apartment buildings) and sends notices.
Within 2 Years
Submit a structural analysis, engineering report, and plans for retrofitting or demolition.
Within 3.5 Years
Obtain all necessary permits to begin construction.
Within 7 Years
Complete construction and obtain a final certificate of compliance
Targeted Structures
Wood-frame, 2+ stories, built before 1978, with ground-floor parking or open space.
Structural Evaluation
A licensed engineer or architect must assess the building and design the retrofit, which often involves adding steel frames or reinforcing walls.
Tenant Considerations
A Tenant Habitability Plan (THP) must be filed to manage impact on residents.
Failure to comply can result in fines and potential liability. For specific, property-related deadlines, owners should check their official notification from the city.
- Full structural assessment
- Identification of SWOF lines
- Engineering justification for exemption requests
- Posting guidance for required signage
Fully compliant with Burbank Seismic Design Guidelines, including:
- Lateral analysis and calculations
- Soft/weak/open-front wall strengthening design
- Diaphragm, collector, and foundation upgrades
- Cantilever column systems
- Drift checks, base-shear calculations, and irregularity assessments
- Complete structural details and material specifications
- Plan check response letters
- Structural observation forms
- Coordination with Building & Safety
- Housing and tenant-notification support
- Structural observation during key stages
- Contractor RFI support
- Final approval assistance
- 100% permit-fee refund for full compliance by July 10, 2026
- 50% refund for compliance by January 10, 2028
- Mandatory safety signage after Notice to Comply
- Posting of construction notices
- Removal of signage after final City approval
Owners may recover up to 50% of construction costs (max $51/unit/month for up to 120 months).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every older building in Glendale need a retrofit?
No. The ordinance applies only to pre-1978 wood-frame residential buildings that are two or more stories and have ground-floor parking, carports, or other large openings, specifically those with soft, weak, or open-front wall conditions.
What’s the first step?
A structural analysis and engineering report prepared by a California-licensed Civil or Structural Engineer. This determines whether the building is exempt or requires retrofit, and documents that finding for the City.
How much time do I have?
Deadlines are measured from the date on your Notice: 2 years to submit the structural analysis and plans, 3.5 years to pull permits, and 7 years to complete construction.
Can my building be exempt?
Possibly. An engineer may determine that the building doesn’t meet the SWOF criteria or was previously strengthened to an adequate standard. The engineering report documents the exemption for the City’s review.
Do I have to relocate my tenants during construction?
Sometimes, it depends on the scope of work and whether units become temporarily untenantable. A Tenant Habitability Plan (THP) must be filed to address this, and Glendale has specific tenant protections that apply.
What happens if I miss a deadline?
The City can issue violations, impose fines, and record the non-compliance against the property. It also increases liability exposure if a seismic event occurs before the work is completed.
Who’s allowed to prepare the retrofit plans?
Only California-licensed Civil or Structural Engineers.