Southern California is no stranger to seismic activity, and cities like Anaheim sit squarely within areas of elevated earthquake risk. While the City of Anaheim has not adopted a mandatory soft story retrofit ordinance as of 2025, the conversation around seismic resilience is growing louder. Neighboring cities like Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and West Hollywood have already enacted strict requirements for soft story retrofitting, and property owners in Anaheim would be wise to prepare accordingly.
At Alpha Structural, we’ve worked with thousands of building owners across Southern California to reinforce vulnerable soft-story structures. This page provides critical insights for Anaheim landlords and property managers who want to stay ahead of potential legislation—and more importantly, protect the safety of their buildings and tenants.
A soft story building is defined by its structurally weak ground floor, often featuring wide openings for tuck-under parking or retail storefronts, and supported by slender columns. This design, common in buildings constructed before 1978, lacks sufficient shear resistance at the base level.
During an earthquake, the upper floors shift laterally while the weak lower level can’t resist the force. The result is often a catastrophic collapse. Soft story buildings were responsible for a disproportionate number of fatalities and structural failures in the 1994 Northridge Earthquake.
No. As of this writing, Anaheim does not have a formal soft story retrofit ordinance in place. However, the city is likely monitoring the outcomes of programs enacted in other municipalities. Many cities implemented legislation after studies identified thousands of vulnerable buildings still in use.
Anaheim’s rental housing stock includes a significant number of multi-family, wood-framed structures built between the 1950s and 1980s—the same period in which soft story construction was common. Owners of these buildings should consider voluntary retrofitting now, especially in light of potential legislation modeled after Ordinance 183893 in Los Angeles.
Listen to Alpha Structural President, Dave Tourjé on KPCC's AirTalk with host, Larry Mantle talk about Earthquake Retrofitting in Los Angeles
Listen NowIf Anaheim were to pass a mandatory soft story retrofit program, landlords could expect the following:
Getting ahead of these steps now allows property owners to take control of costs, timelines, and construction logistics before city mandates narrow those options.
Even without a legal requirement, retrofitting your soft-story building offers substantial benefits:
With a soft story retrofit Anaheim building owners can structurally reinforce the vulnerable ground level of a building. This is not a cosmetic repair—it’s a comprehensive engineering intervention designed to transfer lateral loads safely to the foundation during an earthquake.
Our engineers at Alpha Structural evaluate each building on a case-by-case basis, designing a solution that meets safety standards without compromising functionality (like parking access).
We’ve supported property owners in dozens of California cities through every phase of the retrofit process. Here’s what we offer Anaheim landlords:
Our team is familiar with Orange County code requirements and stays current on evolving retrofit discussions across the region.
If you're considering retrofitting voluntarily in Anaheim, here’s how the typical process works:
Though Anaheim has no city-specific grant program, eligible property owners may qualify for support through:
Our team can help you explore these resources to offset out-of-pocket costs.
For over 30 years, Alpha Structural has led the field in structural engineering and seismic retrofit solutions. We are one of the few firms in Southern California licensed to both engineer and build. That means we control quality, timelines, and budgets—start to finish.
If your building needs to meet future seismic demands, we’ll make sure it’s done right—and done once.
Now is the time to assess your risk and secure your property. Don’t wait for an ordinance or an earthquake to force your hand.
Call Alpha Structural today at (714) 410-5556 to schedule a professional soft story retrofit assessment for your Anaheim property. Let us help you protect your investment, your tenants, and your peace of mind.
The following list represents just some of the types of foundation repair we specialize in:
Alpha Structural is thrilled to announce our partnership with GreenSky Financing, offering convenient financing options for your structural projects. Whether you need foundation repairs, seismic retrofitting, or other enhancements, our seamless financing solution through GreenSky empowers you to tackle your project with confidence. With flexible payment plans and competitive interest rates, you can now address crucial structural needs without financial constraints. Contact Alpha Structural today to learn more and embark on your home improvement journey with ease.
