Property owners in Burbank facing mandatory soft-story retrofit requirements received welcome news: the City offers substantial soft story permit fee refund incentives for early compliance. Understanding how the Burbank permit refund program works can save thousands on your retrofit project while protecting your property and tenants from seismic risk.
On December 10, 2024, Burbank City Council adopted the Mandatory Soft-Story Seismic Retrofit Ordinance, effective January 10, 2025, requiring owners of vulnerable multi-family residential buildings to strengthen their properties. The ordinance targets wood-framed buildings with two or more stories, constructed before January 1, 1978, featuring weak first-floor conditions such as tuck-under parking. Recognizing the financial burden, Burbank introduced a generous Burbank building permit refund program rewarding property owners who act swiftly.
The Burbank Permit Fee Refund Program Explained
Burbank's Burbank early compliance incentive program offers two refund tiers based on completion timeline:
100% Building Permit Fee Refund
Complete retrofit compliance by July 10, 2026 for a 100% building permit fee refund. Complete compliance requires: screening form submission, engineered plans by California-licensed structural engineer, plan approval, building permit obtained, construction completed, and final inspection passed.
50% Building Permit Fee Refund
Complete compliance by January 10, 2028 for a 50% permit fee refund. This extended timeline accommodates complex tenant coordination, financing arrangements, and scheduling challenges while still offering substantial Burbank retrofit financial assistance.
Financial Impact: What These Refunds Mean
Permit fees vary based on building size and retrofit scope:
- Small Buildings (4-8 Units) – $3,500-$7,000 in permit fees
- Medium Buildings (9-16 Units) – $7,000-$15,000 in permit fees
- Larger Buildings (17+ Units) – $15,000-$30,000+ in permit fees
Example: A 12-unit building with $11,500 in permit fees receives $11,500 back (100% refund by July 2026) or $5,750 (50% refund by January 2028). The Burbank soft story incentive directly reduces net project costs.
Eligibility Requirements for Permit Fee Refunds
To qualify for soft story permit fee refund incentives:
- Building Must Be Subject to Ordinance – Wood-frame construction, two or more stories, built before January 1, 1978, with soft-story conditions
- Achieve Full Compliance – Complete all steps (engineering, permitting, construction, final inspection) within refund tier deadline
- Maintain Documentation – Keep records of screening, plan approvals, permits, inspections, and payments
- Resolve Prior Violations – Clear outstanding code violations or unpaid fees before applying
Critical Deadlines
For 100% Refund (July 10, 2026):
- January 2026: Submit screening form, engage structural engineer
- February-March 2026: Complete design, submit plans
- March-April 2026: Secure plan approval and building permit
- April-June 2026: Complete construction and inspections
- By July 10, 2026: Final inspection passed
For 50% Refund (January 10, 2028):
- Submit screening by January 12, 2026
- Submit plans by January 11, 2027
- Secure plan approval and complete construction by January 10, 2028
How to Apply for Your Permit Fee Refund
After completing all compliance requirements, contact Burbank Building & Safety Division with:
- Property address and Assessor's Parcel Number
- Building permit number and final inspection completion date
- Proof of permit fee payment
Contact: Building & Safety Division, 150 N. Third Street, Burbank, CA 91502 | Email: softstory@burbankca.gov | Phone: (818) 238-5220
The City verifies compliance timeline and issues refund checks within 30-60 days.
Maximizing Your Refund Benefits
- Act Immediately – The July 2026 deadline arrives quickly; engage structural engineers and contractors now
- Choose Experienced Professionals – Partner with seismic retrofit specialists to accelerate design and approval
- Budget Comprehensively – Account for engineering ($5,000-$15,000), construction ($50,000-$200,000+), and tenant relocation costs
- Explore Additional Funding – The California Residential Mitigation Program (CRMP) is developing earthquake retrofit grants at CRMP's website
- Maintain Records – Document all phases to streamline refund applications
ProStruct Engineering: Your Partner for Maximum Refund Benefits
Enter ProStruct Engineering!
With over 35 years of experience and 3,000+ residential projects throughout California, ProStruct Engineering specializes in seismic retrofit engineering and soft-story strengthening. We help Burbank property owners maximize Burbank retrofit refund deadline benefits through:
- Rapid Mobilization – Immediate screening, assessment, and design to position clients for early refund tier qualification
- Proven Expertise – Cost-effective seismic strengthening solutions minimizing construction costs and tenant disruption
- Expedited Approvals – Strong relationships with Burbank Building & Safety accelerate plan check processes
- Complete Services – From screening assistance through construction administration for seamless compliance
- Transparent Pricing – Fixed, predictable engineering fees for accurate budget forecasting
Common Questions About Permit Fee Refunds
Q) If I miss the July 2026 deadline, can I still get a partial refund?
Yes. Completing compliance by January 10, 2028, qualifies for the 50% permit fee refund. Missing both deadlines means no refund eligibility, though compliance remains mandatory.
Q) What fees are included in the refund?
All building permit fees including plan check fees, permit issuance costs, and inspection fees are fully refundable under this program.
Q) Does the City issue cash refunds or permit credits?
Burbank issues cash refunds after compliance verification. Permit credits are not offered under this program.
Take Action to Maximize Benefits
Act immediately to capture the Burbank early compliance incentive. Download the screening form from the City of Burbank at www.burbankca.gov/web/community-development/soft-story and contact ProStruct Engineering for a complimentary consultation.
Related Resources:
Burbank Soft-Story Retrofit: Complete Guide to the 2025 Ordinance | Is Your Building One of Burbank's Soft-Story Properties That Must Retrofit?
Conclusion
Burbank's soft story permit fee refund program offers substantial financial incentives—100% refund for July 2026 completion and 50% for January 2028 compliance. Early action maximizes benefits while avoiding condensed timelines that increase costs and stress.
ProStruct Engineering brings vast seismic retrofit expertise to help you capture maximum Burbank building permit refund program benefits. Our proven processes ensure code-compliant, cost-effective solutions while meeting critical deadlines.
Contact ProStruct Engineering today for your complimentary consultation. Time is critical—let's maximize your retrofit benefits together.