Soft Story Retrofit in Burbank, CA
Burbank Soft Story Ordinance
City of Burbank Mandatory Soft Story Retrofit Ordinance – What It Means For You
Effective January 10, 2025.
The City of Burbank, CA enacted a mandatory soft-story retrofit ordinance, requiring all qualifying buildings to undergo seismic retrofitting. This ordinance affects the following structures:
Vulnerable buildings are identified by the following criteria:
- Wood-framed buildings comprised of 2 stories or more
- Constructed under building code standards enacted prior to January 1, 1978
- Possess a weaker first floor that is characterized by having large openings along the building perimeter such as garage openings or tuck-under parking.
The goal is to strengthen these vulnerable structures against earthquakes and improve overall public safety.
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With more than 800 five-star reviews online and 20+ years of experience, The Foundation Works is a top-rated foundation repair and earthquake retrofit company that specializes in soft-story retrofitting in Burbank, CA and throughout Los Angeles County.
What is a Soft Story Building in Burbank, CA?
If you’ve ever driven through a residential street in L.A. County with apartment buildings, chances are you’ve come across a “soft-story” property.
A Soft Story refers to buildings with weak or flexible ground floors, making them susceptible to lateral forces such as earthquakes. Usually, a soft story building has living areas above a garage or open space.
Given that many older structures were erected before modern seismic standards were established, retrofitting these properties is paramount for community safety.
The goal of a soft story retrofit is simple—to secure the structure to the ground below. The bulk of the soft story retrofit upgrade is in erecting steel columns that are anchored to an engineered grade beam.
Although the use of a steel columns is a relatively recent development in seismic building codes, steel columns have been in use for more than one hundred years. From their inception, engineers have observed that steel columns and frames exhibited superior performance in earthquakes.
The Foundation Works is proud to offer start to finish soft story retrofits. Our services encompass everything from drafting engineering plans to replacing damaged stucco after the work has been completed.
With a proven track record of delivering reliable, code-compliant retrofitting solutions, The Foundation Works is committed to helping property owners navigate the complexities of the Burbank soft-story retrofit ordinance efficiently and affordably.
City of Burbank Soft Story Timeline & Key Milestones:
- Compliance Order Date: January 10, 2025
- Submit Screening Form – January 12, 2026
- Submit Engineered Plans – January 11, 2027
- Secure Approval of Plans – January 10, 2028
- Secure Building Permit – January 10, 2029
- Complete Construction – January 10, 2030
Structurally Sound, Safe, and Compliant Soft Story Retrofits in Burbank, CA
When it comes to securing your property and meeting the Burbank soft-story ordinance requirements, The Foundation Works is a one-stop shop, delivering expertise, efficiency, and exceptional service you can count on.
- Trusted Industry Experts: With over two decades of experience, we are the top choice for soft-story retrofitting in Burbank and throughout L.A. County.
- Local Code Specialists: Our team possesses extensive knowledge of Burbank’s seismic retrofit regulations, ensuring your property meets all compliance requirements with precision.
- Tailored Engineering Plans: We develop customized retrofit solutions designed specifically for your building’s structure, streamlining the process and preventing costly delays.
- Tenant-Friendly Approach: Our efficient workflow minimizes disruptions to residents and business operations, allowing life to carry on with minimal interruption.