Burbank's Mandatory Soft Story Retrofit Ordinance – What You Need to Know
Effective January 10, 2025, the City of Burbank will enforce a mandatory soft-story retrofit ordinance in Burbank requiring certain buildings to undergo seismic retrofitting. This ordinance applies to wood-framed buildings constructed before January 1, 1978, with two or more stories and open ground floors.
At Alpha Structural, Inc., we are proud to be the #1 soft story retrofitting engineers and contractors in Los Angeles and Burbank. With extensive experience and industry-leading expertise, we offer end-to-end design/build solutions to ensure your building complies with new regulations while enhancing safety and protecting your investment.
Soft-story buildings are characterized by ground floors with large openings, such as parking spaces or retail areas, which make them particularly vulnerable during earthquakes. In Burbank soft story retrofitting involves adding reinforcements such as steel frames and shear walls to strengthen the structure and prevent collapse.
Compliance Order Date: January 10, 2025
As the top soft story retrofitting contractor in Burbank, Alpha Structural has successfully completed thousands of retrofitting projects. Our reputation is built on delivering innovative, reliable, and efficient solutions for soft-story seismic retrofits. In addition to our expertise, Alpha Structural specializes in value engineering, which focuses on achieving ordinance compliance for your building using the most efficient and cost-effective methods possible.
When it comes to soft story retrofitting, no one does it better than Alpha Structural.
Industry Leader
We are the go-to experts for soft-story retrofitting in Burbank and across Los Angeles.
Comprehensive Design/Build Services
No subcontractors – we handle everything from inspection and engineering to construction.
Expert Knowledge of Local Ordinances
Our team has an in-depth understanding of Burbank seismic retrofit requirements.
Custom In-House Engineering Solutions
We create tailored retrofitting plans to meet your building's unique needs. Our in-house engineering eliminates delays during construction, ensuring your project is completed efficiently and on schedule.
Minimal Disruption
Our efficient processes minimize the impact on tenants and business operations.
Listen to Alpha Structural President, Dave Tourjé on KPCC's AirTalk with host, Larry Mantle talk about Earthquake Retrofitting in Los Angeles
Listen NowAct early to avoid these risks and ensure compliance.
Effective Date
January 10, 2025
Applies To
Non-Compliance Risks
Failure to retrofit by the deadline may result in:
Building owners in Burbank must act now to comply with the upcoming seismic retrofit ordinance. As the industry leading soft story retrofit contractor in Burbank, Alpha Structural offers:
Call Alpha Structural at (323) 258-5482 to schedule your free consultation.
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.
Soft-story buildings have open ground floors that lack structural reinforcement, creating weak points that are prone to collapse during earthquakes. Soft story retrofitting adds reinforcements to stabilize these structures.
A wood-framed building with two or more stories, an open ground floor, and construction completed before January 1, 1978, is classified as a soft-story building under Burbank’s ordinance.
Retrofitting prevents structural failure, protects lives, ensures compliance with city regulations, and enhances property value.
The duration depends on the building’s size and complexity. At Alpha Structural, we provide clear timelines to ensure projects are completed efficiently and on schedule.
