San Jose's mandatory Soft Story Retrofit Ordinance takes effect on April 1, 2026, marking a pivotal moment for multi-family property owners across the city. If you own a wood-frame residential building with three or more units built before 1990, the San Jose soft story deadline is no longer a distant concern—it is here. Understanding the requirements, compliance timeline, and next steps can mean the difference between smooth compliance and costly penalties.
What the April 2026 Ordinance Means for Property Owners
Approved by San Jose City Council on September 24, 2024, the seismic safety ordinance requires owners of qualifying soft story buildings to structurally retrofit their properties to withstand earthquakes. After a council-approved delay on March 25, 2025, the effective date is now set for April 1, 2026.
Once in effect, a structured compliance timeline begins. San Jose has made seismic retrofit mandatory for all subject buildings, with an estimated 8,000 residential units across the city housed in buildings requiring structural upgrades.
Which Buildings Must Comply with Soft Story Building Requirements?
The soft story building requirements under the ordinance apply to wood-frame residential buildings that meet all of the following criteria:
- Contain two or more stories and three or more dwelling units
- Were constructed or permitted for construction before January 1, 1990, or have designs based on the 1985 or earlier edition of the Uniform Building Code
- Have a wood-frame target story—typically a ground floor with large openings for parking, garages, or storage that creates structural vulnerability
These buildings carry the highest collapse risk during earthquakes, as demonstrated during the 1989 Loma Prieta and 1994 Northridge earthquakes, where soft story failures caused fatalities and millions in damages.
Understanding the Earthquake Retrofit Timeline
The earthquake retrofit timeline established by San Jose's ordinance breaks compliance into structured phases across three building groups:
Screening Phase
All building groups must complete structural screening by October 1, 2027—18 months after the ordinance takes effect. A licensed structural engineer must evaluate the building's lateral strength and determine the scope of retrofitting needed.
Design, Permit, and Construction Phase
Final completion deadlines vary by group assignment:
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Group 1 (pre-1978 buildings with 5+ units): Retrofit completion by April 1, 2031
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Group 2 (1978–1990 buildings with 5+ units): Retrofit completion by April 1, 2032
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Group 3 (pre-1990 buildings with 3+ units): Retrofit completion by April 1, 2033
Group 1 buildings are highest priority because they predate modern seismic codes entirely, but owners in all groups should begin planning now. To understand how your building is categorized, refer to our guide on which San Jose homes need soft story retrofits.
Consequences of Missing the Soft Story Compliance Deadline
Failing to meet the soft story compliance deadline carries serious consequences. Non-compliant property owners face financial penalties, heightened legal liability if tenants are injured during an earthquake, and complications with property sales, refinancing, or insurance. Property owners whose buildings collapsed in the Loma Prieta and Northridge earthquakes faced collective payouts of millions in damages.
Beyond financial risk, the structural upgrade deadline exists because these buildings pose a genuine threat to residents. The city estimates mass care and shelter costs for displaced residents at $222 per person per day—a figure that adds up rapidly after a major seismic event.
ProStruct Engineering: Your Expert Partner for Soft Story Compliance
Are you looking forward to partnering with the right professionals to meet the San Jose soft story deadline efficiently?
Enter ProStruct Engineering!
At ProStruct Engineering, we represent ourselves as a leading firm in the corridor of construction. A level of professionalism, extensive experience, disciplined approach and unmatched precision are some of our core characteristics that clients admire.
Why Property Owners Trust ProStruct
- Thanks to a qualified team of seasoned professionals, ProStruct Engineering understands San Jose's Soft Story Retrofit Ordinance inside and out. Our team delivers accurate screening, code-compliant designs, and retrofit solutions calibrated to your building's conditions.
- ProStruct Engineering shows proficiency in managing the complete earthquake retrofit timeline—from initial assessment through permitting and final documentation. We ensure every phase stays on track so you never miss a deadline.
- We conduct comprehensive structural evaluations identifying the most cost-effective retrofit strategies. Our approach balances seismic performance, tenant disruption, and budget realities to deliver optimal outcomes.
- With 35+ years of California seismic retrofitting experience and 3,000+ completed projects, ProStruct delivers unmatched expertise. Our fixed-price proposals ensure transparency, and rapid turnaround times keep your structural upgrade deadline on schedule.
San Jose Soft Story Deadline – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q) When does San Jose's soft story ordinance take effect?
The ordinance takes effect on April 1, 2026. From that date, all compliance timelines begin, starting with the screening phase deadline of October 1, 2027.
Q) How do I know if my building is subject to the ordinance?
Your building is likely subject if it is a wood-frame structure with three or more dwelling units, two or more stories, and was built before 1990. The city will also notify subject building owners directly.
Q) What does the screening phase involve?
A licensed structural engineer evaluates your building's lateral strength and identifies vulnerabilities, determining whether a full retrofit is required and the necessary scope of work.
Q) Is financial assistance available for property owners?
San Jose received a $4.6 million FEMA grant to help offset retrofit costs. Contact the city's Building Division at SoftStoryRetrofit@sanjoseca.gov for details on available assistance.
Conclusion
The San Jose soft story deadline of April 1, 2026 is approaching rapidly. With screening due by October 2027 and final retrofit completion deadlines ranging from 2031 to 2033, the window for proactive planning is narrowing. Property owners must act now to protect their buildings, tenants, and financial interests.
ProStruct Engineering comes to help clients on the back of vast industry experience and expertise. We have the right set of skills and potential to handle your seismic retrofitting project with utmost proficiency. Whether you own a small triplex or a large apartment complex, ProStruct Engineering is there to exhibit a level of professionalism for all types of soft story building requirements in San Jose and across California. Contact us today to schedule your consultation and take the first step toward compliance.