Seismic Retrofit · Burbank
Soft-Story Seismic Retrofit in Burbank
Burbank now requires soft-story retrofit under an ordinance effective January 10, 2025. Cal Retrofit brings Burbank buildings into compliance, from engineering through final sign-off.
The requirement
Retrofit is required in Burbank.
Burbank Mandatory Soft-Story Seismic Retrofit Program
Burbank adopted a mandatory soft-story seismic retrofit ordinance that took effect January 10, 2025, replacing the city's long-standing voluntary program. The city identified roughly 675 qualifying properties and now requires owners to strengthen the weak ground-floor story.
Cal Retrofit runs the full Burbank path: a screening form, structural engineering with our sister company Naxa, steel moment frames and shear-wall reinforcement, permit coordination, and final certification with the city's Building and Safety Division.
What we install
The Burbank retrofit scope.
01 · Scope
Steel moment frames at the open-front bay
02 · Scope
Cantilever columns where moment frames are infeasible
03 · Scope
Shear wall reinforcement at perimeter and interior walls
04 · Scope
Hold-downs, drag beams, and structural anchoring
05 · Scope
Concrete footing or grade-beam work as required
How a Burbank project runs
Six steps from free survey to closeout.
01
Free property survey
100% free property survey, inspection, and measurement. We walk the building, document conditions, and tell you exactly what compliance requires.
02
Engineering and plans
Our engineering partner Naxa prepares architectural and structural plans, sealed and ready for plan check.
03
Tenant notifications
Tenant Habitability Plan and HCID-LA notifications prepared and filed. We handle every required disclosure.
04
Construction begins
Crews mobilize with all materials, labor, and equipment. Documented quality control. Daily field logs.
05
City inspection
Coordination with Department of Building and Safety inspectors. We schedule the inspections and resolve any callouts.
06
Tenant cost-sharing
Up to half of qualifying retrofit cost can be passed to tenants over ten years, coordinated through HCID-LA approval.
Burbank retrofit questions
Straight answers for Burbank owners.
- Is soft-story retrofit mandatory in Burbank?
- Yes, as of an ordinance effective January 10, 2025. Burbank previously ran a voluntary program, but soft-story retrofit is now mandatory for qualifying wood-frame buildings, administered by the city's Building and Safety Division.
- Which Burbank buildings are covered?
- Wood-frame residential buildings built before January 1, 1978, of two or more stories, with tuck-under parking (three or more units) or a weak or open-front first story with two or more stories above. Cal Retrofit confirms eligibility during a free survey.
Other cities we serve
Soft-story retrofit across Southern California.
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