Medro Engineering provides complete engineering support throughout all phases of the retrofit process:
We review available building plans, perform a site visit, and assess the structure to determine the appropriate retrofit method based on the city’s ordinance.
Our structural engineers prepare retrofit drawings, calculations, and all required technical documentation for plan-check submittal.
We coordinate directly with the local building department, respond to plan-check comments, and secure final approval.
During construction, we provide observation services to verify that the retrofit work conforms to the approved plans and applicable city requirements.
Each city has its own rules, timelines, and compliance deadlines. We have dedicated landing pages with the exact requirements for:
Professional Engineering, Screening Reports, Retrofit Plans & Permit Support
In Long Beach, all soft-story buildings are now subject to the city’s mandatory seismic retrofit program, requiring owners to evaluate and strengthen wood-frame structures with soft, weak, or open-front wall lines (SWOF). Medro Engineering delivers a comprehensive, end-to-end engineering service, supporting property owners through every phase — from the first assessment and retrofit planning to obtaining final approval from the City of Long Beach.
Professional Engineering, Screening Reports, Retrofit Plans & Permit Support
Soft-story buildings in Culver City are now required to comply with Ordinance 2021-013, which mandates seismic evaluation and strengthening of wood-frame structures with soft, weak, or open-front wall lines (SWOF). Medro Engineering provides a full, end-to-end engineering solution to help property owners meet every required milestone from initial screening to final approval from the City.
Burbank adopted a mandatory Soft-Story Seismic Retrofit program (Ordinance 24-4,021) to improve safety for older wood-frame residential buildings. Medro Engineering provides full engineering services to help owners meet all City requirements — from the first screening report to final construction approval.
Professional Engineering, Screening Reports, Retrofit Plans & Permit Support
The City of Los Angeles adopted mandatory seismic retrofit requirements under Ordinance 183893 and Ordinance 184081. These ordinances apply to older wood-frame buildings with weak or open-front wall lines, such as structures with tuck-under parking. These buildings demonstrated poor performance in previous earthquakes, and the retrofit program aims to reduce collapse risk through cost-effective strengthening methods.
Professional Engineering, Screening Reports, Retrofit Plans & Permit Support
Santa Monica adopted its Seismic Retrofit Ordinance in 2017 to reduce the risk of structural failures during earthquakes. More than 2,000 commercial and multi-family residential buildings were identified as potentially vulnerable and required to comply with retrofit regulations.
Professional Engineering, Screening Reports, Retrofit Plans & Permit Support
The City of Beverly Hills adopted Ordinance 18-O-2767 to improve the performance of existing multi-family wood-frame buildings with Soft, Weak, or Open-Front wall lines (SWOF). These buildings are at higher risk of partial or full collapse during a major earthquake, especially where open parking exists at the ground level.
Professional Engineering, Screening Reports, Retrofit Plans & Permit Support
West Hollywood adopted its Soft-Story Seismic Retrofit Program on April 17, 2017, with City Council passing Ordinance 17-1004, creating mandatory strengthening rules for vulnerable wood-frame buildings with open ground floors to improve earthquake resilience. To strengthen existing wood-frame buildings with “Soft, Weak, or Open-Front (SWOF)” conditions (like ground-floor parking) to better withstand earthquakes, ensuring life safety.
Professional Engineering, Screening Reports, Retrofit Plans & Permit Support
The City of Pasadena adopted Ordinance No. 7345 to strengthen existing multi-family wood-frame buildings with Soft, Weak, or Open-Front Wall Lines (SWOF). These structures historically performed poorly during past earthquakes such as the 1989 La Prieta and 1994 Northridge events.
Professional Engineering, Screening Reports, Retrofit Plans & Permit Support
Glendale adopted its mandatory Soft-Story Seismic Retrofit Program when its City Council passed an ordinance on October 10, 2024, with the program becoming effective on January 10, 2025. Prior to this date, retrofitting in Glendale was voluntary, although discussions about a mandatory ordinance had been ongoing since at least 2018. The new ordinance requires seismic retrofits for certain vulnerable wood-frame residential buildings in the city.
