Los Angeles isn’t just known for its sunshine and skyline—it’s also sitting atop one of the most seismically active regions in the world. With recent forecasts from California’s Seismic Safety Commission and updated retrofit ordinances across LA County, the message is clear: soft-story buildings must be reinforced now, not later.

⚠️ What Is a Soft-Story Building?

A soft-story building typically has open ground floors—often used for parking—with residential or commercial units above. These structures are especially vulnerable during earthquakes because the open lower level lacks the lateral strength to withstand seismic forces. When the ground shakes, these buildings can collapse like a house of cards.

📊 Why the Urgency in 2025?

According to the 2025 California Soft-Story Retrofit Guide, thousands of buildings in Los Angeles still haven’t met compliance deadlines. The city’s ordinance (183893) mandates retrofitting for pre-1978 soft-story buildings, and enforcement is tightening. Non-compliance can lead to:

• Fines and legal penalties
• Loss of occupancy certificates
• Increased insurance premiums
• Risk to life and property

The seismic forecast for Southern California predicts a greater than 60% chance of a magnitude 6.7+ earthquake within the next 30 years, and experts warn that the window for proactive safety is closing fast.

🌆 Other Cities Are Catching Up—Are You?

It’s not just Los Angeles enforcing seismic safety. Cities across Southern California are rolling out their own retrofit mandates, each with unique deadlines and incentives:

• Burbank: Adopted its ordinance in December 2024, with screening forms due by January 12, 2026, and full construction completion required by January 10, 2030.
• Pasadena: Ordinance No. 7345 targets soft-story buildings built before 1976, with compliance notices already sent to property owners in priority groups.
• Torrance, Harbor LA, and surrounding areas: These cities are actively evaluating retrofit programs and may follow similar timelines. Property owners should prepare now to avoid last-minute rushes and inflated costs.

A recent case study in San Francisco revealed that hundreds of delinquent buildings faced inflated costs and long wait times due to last-minute retrofitting rushes. Don’t let that happen in your city.

💸 Waiting Could Cost You More

Delaying retrofitting doesn’t just risk safety—it can hit your wallet hard. As demand for qualified contractors and structural engineers surges, prices are rising. Cities like Burbank even offer permit fee refunds for early compliance—a smart incentive for proactive owners.

🛠️ How SKS Construction Leads the Way

At SKS Construction, we specialize in soft-story seismic retrofits tailored to Los Angeles and surrounding cities. Our team handles everything from engineering evaluations to permit approvals and construction execution. We stay ahead of city regulations so you don’t have to—and we make sure your building is safe, compliant, and future-proof.

Whether you're a property manager, HOA board member, or building owner, we’ll guide you through every step with transparency, speed, and precision.

📣 Don’t Wait for the Next Earthquake to Make a Move

Protect your property. Safeguard your tenants. Comply with city ordinances. And do it with a trusted partner who understands Southern California’s seismic landscape.

Contact SKS Construction today to schedule your free retrofit consultation:

📍 Location: SKS Construction, Los Angeles, California, USA 📞 Phone: (818) 855-1181 📧 Email: info@sksconstruction.com 🌐 Website: sksconstruction.com