Soft Story Retrofitting in Burbank, CA | Alpha Structural, Inc.

Burbank's Mandatory Soft Story Retrofit Ordinance – What You Need to Know

Listen to Alpha Structural President, Dave Tourjé on KPCC's AirTalk with host, Larry Mantle talk about Earthquake Retrofitting in Los Angeles

Effective January 10, 2025, the City of Burbank will enforce a mandatory soft-story retrofit ordinance 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.

What is Soft Story Retrofitting, and Why is it Important?

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. Soft story retrofitting involves adding reinforcements such as steel frames and shear walls to strengthen the structure and prevent collapse.

Timeline for Key Milestones:

Compliance Order Date: January 10, 2025

Submit Screening Form - January 12, 2026
Submit Engineered Plans - January 11, 2027
Secure Approval of Plans - January 10, 2028
Secure Building Permit - January 10, 2029
Complete Construction - January 10, 2030

Why Choose Alpha Structural for Your Burbank Retrofit?

As the #1 soft story retrofitting contractor in Los Angeles, 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.

Top Reasons to Work with 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’s 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.

When it comes to soft story retrofitting, no one does it better than Alpha Structural.

Details of Burbank’s Soft Story Ordinance

Effective Date: January 10, 2025

Applies To:

Wood-framed buildings with two or more stories
Structures built before January 1, 1978

Non-Compliance Risks:
Failure to retrofit by the deadline may result in:

Legal penalties
Increased liability for property damage or injuries
Greater risk of structural failure during an earthquake

Act early to avoid these risks and ensure compliance.

Schedule Your Soft Story Retrofit Consultation Today

Building owners in Burbank must act now to comply with the upcoming seismic retrofit ordinance. As the #1 soft story retrofit contractor in Burbank, Alpha Structural offers:

Comprehensive building inspections
Detailed compliance plans
Expert retrofitting services to meet city and state safety standards

Call Alpha Structural at (323) 300-2195 or visit our website today to schedule your free consultation.

What Our Clients Say About Alpha Structural

"Stop searching now!"

"This is the structural and construction company you've been looking for. Alpha took on the seismic retrofitting for our soft-story structure and completed it ahead of schedule. Professional, patient, and with a sense of humor! Highly recommend."
— JT L.

"Knocked it out of the park!"

"Alpha performed a seismic retrofit for our soft-story building. Brad, Chris, and the entire team were efficient, safe, and pleasant. No budget surprises, and the project was completed on time."
— Andy O.

"Worth every penny!"

"Alpha’s expertise is unmatched. They handled unexpected issues with professionalism and ensured my soft-story retrofit was done correctly and efficiently."
— Drew L.

"Exceptional work!"

"Alpha completed a retrofit on our 16-unit building. Their professionalism and skill made the process smooth despite the city's inexperience with such projects."
— Brian A.

"Highly recommend!"

"Alpha performed a flawless retrofit on our townhouse complex. Clean, efficient, and knowledgeable. A construction company that truly delivers!"
— Mike T.