Seismic Retrofit · Pasadena
Soft-Story Seismic Retrofit in Pasadena
Cal Retrofit brings Pasadena soft-story buildings into compliance with the city's mandatory retrofit ordinance, from engineering through final sign-off.
The requirement
Retrofit is required in Pasadena.
Pasadena Mandatory Seismic Retrofit Ordinance (Ordinance 7345)
Pasadena adopted Ordinance 7345, its mandatory soft-story seismic retrofit ordinance, on May 20, 2019, later modified by Resolution 9774. The city identified roughly 493 qualifying wood-frame buildings and sent notices by priority group between 2019 and 2021.
Cal Retrofit runs the full Pasadena path: an optional screening form, structural engineering with our sister company Naxa, steel moment frames and shear-wall reinforcement, permit coordination, and final certification.
What we install
The Pasadena 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 Pasadena 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.
Pasadena retrofit questions
Straight answers for Pasadena owners.
- Is soft-story retrofit mandatory in Pasadena?
- Yes. Pasadena Ordinance 7345, adopted in 2019, requires owners of designated wood-frame soft-story buildings to complete a structural retrofit. Buildings of four or fewer units, and single-family homes, are exempt.
- How long do I have in Pasadena?
- From your notice, you have up to four years to submit plans and obtain a permit and seven years to complete construction. An optional screening form is available in the first year to claim an exemption.
Other cities we serve
Soft-story retrofit across Southern California.
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