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City of Santa Monica Soft-Story Retrofit Services

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Milestones

Below is a simplified version of the City’s published compliance schedule for soft-story and other seismically vulnerable building types:

Building Type

  • Soft Story – >2 stories & <16 units
  • Soft Story – 16+ units
  • Soft Story – 2 stories, 7–15 units
  • Soft Story – 2 stories, <7 units
  • Soft Story – 2 stories, <7 units (2nd batch)

Evaluation Due

  • Sept 2021
  • Oct 2021
  • Nov 2021
  • May 2022
  • July 2022

Plans Due

  • Sept 2022
  • Oct 2022
  • Nov 2022
  • May 2023
  • July 2023

Retrofit Complete

  • Sept 2025
  • Oct 2025
  • Nov 2025
  • May 2026
  • July 2026
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Professional Engineering, Screening Reports, Retrofit Plans & Permit Support

Santa Monica adopted its Seismic Retrofit Ordinance in 2017 to reduce the risk of structural failures during earthquakes. More than 2,000 commercial and multi-family residential buildings were identified as potentially vulnerable and required to comply with retrofit regulations.

If your property appears on the City’s soft-story list, completing the required evaluation and retrofit (if applicable) is mandatory. Below is a clear breakdown of the Santa Monica process, compliance deadlines, and how Socal Structural can assist.

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Who Must Comply?

A building is subject to the ordinance if it meets all of the following:
  • Wood-framed
  • Two or more storiesv
  • Built before January 1, 1978
  • Ground-floor parking / garages / open fronts
  • One or more soft, weak, or open-front wall lines
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Is Your Building On the List?

Santa Monica provides two tools for property owners to confirm whether their building has been identified as potentially vulnerable:

  • Searchable map
  • Open Data list (downloadable)

Inclusion on the City’s list does not automatically mean your building is unsafe, only that it falls within a building category subject to evaluation under the ordinance.

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Santa Monica Retrofit Requirements (Step-by-Step)

A California-licensed structural or civil engineer (or a registered architect) must complete a full structural evaluation of the building to determine whether it meets minimum earthquake performance standards.

If your building qualifies for reconsideration (ex: prior retrofit, non-hazardous building type), a Request for Reconsideration may be submitted to the City. The City will review the evidence and determine if the building can be removed from the list.

The completed evaluation must be submitted to the City’s Building & Safety Division (Email: seismic@santamonica.gov)

Outcomes:

  • If the building meets minimum seismic performance → it may be exempted from retrofit requirements.
  • If the building does not meet minimum standards → retrofit is required and the project proceeds to plan review.

If retrofit work is required, structural drawings and calculations must be prepared by a licensed engineer or architect and submitted to the City’s Electronic Plan Review system.

A Means & Methods Plan is also required for all tenant-occupied residential buildings.

The City will review the submitted plans, issue corrections if needed, and approve the project once all requirements are satisfied

After plan approval, a building permit must be pulled to begin construction. Key notes:
  • Only properly licensed contractors may pull the permit.
  • Work must begin within six months of permit issuance to avoid expiration.
  • Inspections will be performed periodically during construction.

A final inspection from a City Building Inspector is required.

Once approved, the Inspector will issue a Final sign-off on the permit, this is the City’s official verification that the building is fully compliant.

This is the final step for closing out your seismic retrofit obligation

How Socal Can Help?

We provide full-service support for Santa Monica soft-story compliance:
  • Structural evaluation by licensed engineers
  • Preparation of retrofit plans and calculations
  • Tenant-occupied Means & Methods Plans
  • Electronic plan review submittals
  • Construction support and inspection coordination
  • End-to-end project management until Final sign-off
Our team ensures your building meets all ordinance requirements and stays on schedule for upcoming deadlines.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my building is included?

Notices were mailed to property owners, and the City maintains a public searchable list. Being on the list does not mean your building is unsafe, only that it must undergo evaluation.

Does being listed mean my building is hazardous?

No. Listing is based on building characteristics and year of construction, not safety status.

Who can perform the Structural Evaluation?
  • California Licensed Structural Engineer
  • California Licensed Civil Engineer
  • Registered Architect
If my engineer determines a retrofit is not required, am I exempt?

The City must still review the evaluation. If approved, the City will issue a letter verifying compliance. No further action is required.

Will I receive a City verification after construction?

Yes. A City Building Inspector must issue a Final sign-off on the permit , this is the City’s official documentation of compliance.

My building was retrofitted after the 1994 earthquake. Am I exempt?

Not necessarily. Many earlier retrofit designs (such as “pole structure” retrofits) do not meet Santa Monica’s current program requirements.

The City evaluates these on a case-by-case basis through the reconsideration process.

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