If you own a multi-family residential property in San Jose, you may be required to complete a seismic retrofit under the city's Soft Story Retrofit Ordinance. With the ordinance in effect from April 1, 2026, understanding which properties require San Jose seismic retrofits is critical for protecting your investment and ensuring tenant safety.
What Are Soft Story Buildings?
Soft story buildings are multi-family residential properties with large ground-floor openings—such as garages, parking areas, or commercial spaces—that create structural weakness. The reduced wall area compromises lateral strength, making these buildings highly susceptible to collapse during earthquakes.
Historical evidence from the 1989 Loma Prieta and 1994 Northridge earthquakes demonstrated this vulnerability, with numerous soft story construction collapses causing fatalities and millions in damages. San Jose alone has an estimated 8,000 residential units in buildings requiring seismic strengthening.
Which San Jose Homes Require Soft-Story Retrofits?
San Jose's ordinance categorizes residential buildings into three groups based on construction date and dwelling units:
Group 1: Pre-1978 Buildings with 5+ Units
Buildings constructed before January 1, 1978 with five or more dwelling units represent the highest priority. These properties predate modern seismic codes and typically require the most comprehensive earthquake retrofit solutions.
Deadlines: Screening by October 1, 2027; completion by April 1, 2031.
Group 2: 1978-1990 Buildings with 5+ Units
Properties built between January 1, 1978 and January 1, 1990 with five or more units fall into Group 2. While built under improved codes, they still predate California's strictest seismic requirements.
Deadlines: Screening by October 1, 2027; completion by April 1, 2032.
Group 3: Pre-1990 Buildings with 3+ Units
Group 3 includes buildings constructed before January 1, 1990 with three or more units not assigned to Groups 1 or 2. This captures smaller multi-family properties with soft story vulnerabilities.
Deadlines: Screening by October 1, 2027; completion by April 1, 2033.
Common Building Characteristics
Buildings subject to the ordinance typically feature:
- Wood-frame construction with tuck-under parking garages
- Large ground-floor openings for retail, storage, or parking
- Multi-story design with residential units above vulnerable ground floors
Compliance Requirements
Understanding your building's group assignment is crucial for meeting compliance deadlines. Missing these can result in penalties, increased liability, and complications with property transactions.
All groups must complete structural screening by October 1, 2027, involving a licensed structural engineer evaluating your building and determining required retrofit measures. Final completion deadlines vary by group as noted above.
ProStruct Engineering: Your Expert Partner for San Jose Seismic Retrofits
Are you looking forward to partnering with the right professionals to meet San Jose seismic retrofits requirements 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.
Our Comprehensive Soft Story Retrofit Services
- Thanks to a qualified team of seasoned professionals, ProStruct Engineering understands San Jose's Soft Story Retrofit Ordinance requirements inside and out. Our expertise ensures your property receives accurate screening, compliant engineering designs, and retrofit solutions specifically calibrated to San Jose's seismic conditions.
- ProStruct Engineering shows proficiency in all phases of the soft story retrofit process. From initial structural assessment through final completion documentation, we manage every aspect of your project, ensuring you meet all compliance deadlines without stress.
- We conduct comprehensive structural evaluations that identify the most cost-effective retrofit strategies for your specific building. Our engineering approach balances code compliance, tenant disruption minimization, and budget considerations to deliver optimal solutions.
- With 35+ years of California seismic engineering experience and 3,000+ completed projects, ProStruct Engineering brings unmatched knowledge to every seismic strengthening project. Our fixed-price proposals provide cost transparency, while our rapid turnaround times keep your retrofit on schedule.
San Jose Soft Story Retrofits – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q) How do I know if my building requires a retrofit?
The city notifies property owners of potentially subject buildings. If you own a wood-frame multi-family building with three or more units built before 1990, consult with a structural engineer. ProStruct Engineering offers complimentary initial consultations to determine your obligations.
Q) What happens if I don't comply?
Non-compliance can result in financial penalties, increased liability, complications with property transactions, and potential legal action. Unretrofitted buildings also pose serious life-safety risks to tenants.
Q) Can tenants stay during construction?
Most projects allow tenants to remain, with work focused on ground-floor areas. Some ground-floor units may require temporary relocation. Your engineer and contractor will minimize disruption while meeting safety requirements.
Conclusion
Understanding which San Jose homes require soft story seismic retrofits is essential for property owners facing the city's mandatory ordinance. Buildings constructed before 1990 with three or more dwelling units generally fall under the requirements, with specific group assignments determining compliance timelines. The screening deadline of October 1, 2027 applies to all subject buildings, making prompt action critical for property owners.
ProStruct Engineering guides San Jose property owners through every phase of the San Jose seismic retrofit process, from initial screening through final compliance documentation. With 35+ years of California seismic engineering expertise and comprehensive knowledge of San Jose's specific requirements, we deliver the professional support property owners need to meet deadlines, control costs, and protect their investments. Whether you own a five-unit building from the 1970s or a larger complex from the 1980s, ProStruct Engineering delivers expert earthquake retrofit solutions tailored to your building's unique characteristics. Contact us today to begin your compliance journey with confidence.