Structural Engineering Services

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San Francisco's Mandatory Soft-Story Retrofit Program

History & Scope

• Established in April 2013 via Ordinance No. 66-13 (the Mandatory Seismic Retrofit Program), San Francisco required seismic retrofits of wood-frame buildings meeting these criteria:
  • Built before January 1, 1978
  • Wood-frame (Type V)
  • Multi-unit (5+ residential units)
  • Two stories or more above a basement or open underfloor
  • Exhibiting a soft-story condition not previously strengthened
• Affected buildings were categorized into four compliance tiers based on size and risk—Tier 1 (largest/institutional) through Tier 4 (smaller buildings with ground-floor commercial use).0

Process & Compliance

• The DBI (Department of Building Inspection) identified potentially affected properties using permit data and issued notices beginning in September 2013. Owners had to submit a screening form, even if prior retrofits existed.
• Retrofit work targets only the “soft” or weak story—adding enhanced lateral resistance with elements like steel frames, shear walls, or moment frames—to better anchor and support upper floors.
• Completed retrofits are documented with a Certificate of Final Completion (CFC). Non-compliance can result in fines, “Earthquake Warning” placards, or restrictions on renting, selling, or refinancing 

Cost & Funding

• Typical retrofit costs range widely, from $10,000 to over $150,000, depending on building size and complexity. For example:
  • 5–14 units: average ~$104,000
  • 15–20 units: average ~$158,500
• Financing Options include:
  • PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) financing, administered in partnership with CounterpointeSRE, offering long-term, fixed-rate assessments added to property taxes. The City allows 100% of these costs to be passed through to tenants as an amortized rent adjustment. 

How to Get a Retrofit Permit (SF Process)

1. Check if your building is on the Mandatory Soft-Story list via the DBI.
2. Hire a licensed designer/engineer to draft retrofit plans.
3. Submit an Over-the-Counter (OTC) permit application, including necessary forms and documents. Most projects are reviewed on the spot.
4. Pay applicable fees (around 3–4.5% of construction cost), secure required permits, complete construction, and obtain final certification.

 Ordinance No. 70-25 is a local amendment to the Existing Building Code of San Francisco. It was adopted by the Board of Supervisors on May 9, 2025 and became effective on June 9, 2025 .

 Ordinance 70-25 signals San Francisco’s enhanced proactive stance on seismic safety, particularly for older concrete buildings. While the retrofit standards are voluntary, the ordinance lays the groundwork for future resilience efforts through systematic assessment and informed planning. 

Contact us for an Assessment

We prepare structural design plans and calculations for all types of projects including residential design, retaining walls, seismic retrofit, foundations, decks, historic building retrofit, room additions or how about putting a jacuzzi on your roof!

For existing buildings we traditionally start with an inspection to see the foundation and health of a building. From there we make sure the new work is up to building code and structural engineering standards. Inspections are available in the San Francisco Bay Area within a 1 hour drive of San Francisco.