Soft-Story Seismic Retrofit – City of Burbank
Compliance Deadlines (From January 10, 2025 Notice)
Screening Form
- January 12, 2026
Engineered Retrofit Plans
- January 11, 2027
Plan Approval
- January 10, 2028
Permit & Construction Start
- January 10, 2029
Construction Completion
- January 10, 2030
Full-Service Support From Screening to Sign-Off
Burbank adopted a mandatory Soft-Story Seismic Retrofit program (Ordinance 24-4,021)
to raise the safety bar for older wood-frame residential buildings across the city. OC Structural handles the engineering work owners need to satisfy every City requirement, starting with the initial screening report and carrying through to final construction approval.
Who Must Comply?
The ordinance applies to your building if all of the following are true:
- Wood-framed
- Two or more stories
- Built before January 1, 1978
- Ground-floor parking, garages, or open fronts
- One or more soft, weak, or open-front wall lines
- Full structural assessment
- Identification of SWOF lines
- Determination of “Retrofit Required” or “Exempt”
- Engineering justification for exemption requests
- Posting guidance for required signage
Fully compliant with Burbank Seismic Design Guidelines, covering:
- Lateral analysis and calculations
- Soft/weak/open-front wall strengthening design
- Diaphragm, collector, and foundation upgrades
- Cantilever column systems
- Drift checks, base-shear calculations, and irregularity assessments
- Complete structural details and material specifications
- Plan check response letters
- Structural observation forms
- Coordination with Building & Safety
- Housing and tenant-notification support
- Structural observation during key stages
- Contractor RFI support
- Final approval assistance
- 100% permit-fee refund for full compliance by July 10, 2026
- 50% refund for compliance by January 10, 2028
- Mandatory safety signage after Notice to Comply
- Posting of construction notices
- Removal of signage after final City approval
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every building have to comply?
No. The requirement covers only pre-1978 wood-frame residential buildings with two or more stories and ground-floor openings such as parking, garages, or open fronts.
What's the first step in the process?
Getting your Screening Form submitted by January 12, 2026. It has to be completed by a licensed Civil or Structural Engineer.
Is there a way for my building to be exempt?
It’s possible, but the exemption needs a stamped engineering assessment confirming there are no soft, weak, or open-front wall lines present.
What happens if a deadline slips by?
The City may record a violation and apply penalties. Extensions are only granted with justification and a proposed schedule.
Does Burbank offer any financial incentives?
Yes. The City offers a 100% or 50% permit-fee refund, depending on how quickly you reach compliance.
Can retrofit costs be passed on to tenants?
Yes, up to 50% of construction costs can be recovered as a temporary monthly surcharge.
Who's allowed to prepare the retrofit plans?
Only Civil or Structural Engineers licensed in California.
What's the final deadline for construction?
No later than January 10, 2030.
Get Started
OC Structural manages Burbank soft-story retrofits from start to finish, covering screening, engineering, permitting, and construction support. Get in touch for a free estimate, and we’ll tell you exactly where your building stands under the ordinance.