📌 Introduction: Earthquake Safety Comes First

Southern California is no stranger to earthquakes, and soft-story buildings are among the most vulnerable structures during seismic events. Recognizing this risk, the City of Burbank adopted a Mandatory Soft-Story Seismic Retrofit Ordinance on December 10, 2024, which officially takes effect on January 10, 2025.

For property owners, this ordinance is more than just a legal requirement—it’s a call to action to protect tenants, preserve property value, and avoid costly liabilities.

⚠️ What Is a Soft Story Building?

A soft-story building is typically a wood-framed structure with two or more stories, built before 1978, and featuring a weak first floor. Common examples include:

• Apartment complexes with tuck-under parking garages.
• Multi-family housing with large ground-floor openings.
• Older buildings constructed under pre-1978 building codes.

These designs create instability during earthquakes, making them prone to collapse.

📅 Compliance Timeline: Deadlines Every Owner Must Track

The ordinance lays out a clear compliance schedule:

💰 Incentives for Acting Early

The City of Burbank is encouraging proactive compliance with permit fee refunds:

• 100% refund if retrofit is completed by July 10, 2026.
• 50% refund if completed by January 10, 2028.

This means property owners who act quickly not only protect their tenants but also save significantly on costs.

🛠️ Why Compliance Matters

Failing to comply with the ordinance can result in:

• Legal penalties and fines.
• Increased liability in the event of earthquake damage.
• Loss of property value and potential insurance complications.

On the other hand, compliance ensures:

• Tenant safety and peace of mind.
• Long-term property resilience.
• Higher resale and rental value.

✅ How SKS Construction Helps Burbank Property Owners

At SKS Construction, we specialize in soft-story retrofits in Los Angeles and Burbank. Our services include:

• Initial inspections and screening forms to determine compliance.
• Engineering and design plans tailored to your building.
• Permit acquisition and city approvals.
• Full-service construction and retrofit completion before deadlines.

We understand the Burbank seismic retrofit ordinance inside and out, and we guide property owners through every step of the process.

📣 Call to Action

The January 10, 2025 deadline is here. Don’t wait until the last minute—partner with SKS Construction today to secure your property, protect your tenants, and take advantage of early compliance incentives.

👉 Contact SKS Construction now for a free consultation and let us help you navigate Burbank’s Mandatory Soft Story Retrofit Ordinance with confidence.