Soft Story Retrofit in Santa Monica, CA
Santa Monica Soft Story Ordinance
Santa Monica Mandatory Soft Story Retrofit Ordinance – What It Means For You
Adopted March 2017.
The Santa Monica City Council adopted a Seismic Retrofit Ordinance in March 2017 in order to implement the Seismic Retrofit Program. The Program seeks to strengthen existing older buildings to enhance the security and safety of their occupants.
More than 2,000 commercial and multi-family residential buildings in the City were identified as potentially seismically vulnerable in need of possible structural improvement and are required to comply with the Program (see the Seismic Retrofit Ordinance Compliance and Noticing Schedule).
The City of Santa Monica was awarded a grant from FEMA to assist owners of all soft story buildings identified in the ordinance.
- A grant program meeting was held in November 2024 to inform property owners of grant eligibility and other information.
- Owners of soft story buildings can reach out to the City of Santa Monica Seismic Retrofit Program for upcoming info sessions or with questions.
- There are five easy steps to complying with the mandatory soft story retrofit ordinance in Santa Monica. The exact steps can be found on the City of Santa Monica Seismic Retrofit Program web page.
For a list of properties identified by Santa Monica City Council as having seismic vulnerabilities requiring a soft story retrofit, click here.
Let’s Start Planning!
PLEASE NOTE: This is not a confirmation. You will be contacted to confirm your appointment.
*Inspections are offered free to owner-occupied homes not on the market to be sold within our serviceable areas.
If you’ve ever driven through a residential street in Santa Monica lined with apartment buildings, chances are you’ve seen a soft-story property. These buildings have weak or flexible ground floors—often featuring open parking areas beneath living spaces—making them especially vulnerable to earthquakes.
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 Culver City, CA and throughout Los Angeles County.
What is a Soft Story Building in Santa Monica?
A soft story building is a multi-level structure with one or more floors above a ground level that has a large opening such as tuck-under parking or garages, and minimal structural support.
Want to learn more? Read about the soft-story problem and how retrofitting can protect your property here: The Soft Story Problem.
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.
The Foundation Works provides comprehensive, start-to-finish soft-story retrofits, handling everything from engineering plans to final stucco repairs. With a strong track record of delivering reliable, code-compliant solutions, we make it easy for property owners to navigate Santa Monica’s soft-story retrofit ordinance—efficiently and affordably.
Santa Monica Soft Story Retrofit Deadlines for Owners
Dates & timelines provided by the City of Santa Monica Building and Safety Division. Click here to view original compliance schedule.
Structurally Sound, Safe, and Compliant Soft Story Retrofits in Santa Monica, CA
When it comes to securing your property and meeting the Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica and throughout L.A. County.
- Local Code Specialists: Our team possesses extensive knowledge of Culver City’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.