November 5, 2024 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

L.A. Earthquake Retrofit Compliance

The Los Angeles City Council voted April 10 to get a full update on seismic retrofits required by law in roughly 15,000 buildings, a move that comes as the city is also exploring the creation of a program to help property owners pay for the upgrades.

The council passed an ordinance in 2015 requiring the retrofitting, but the high up-front costs can cause enormous financial strain on property owners and could prevent its implementation, according to a motion introduced by Councilman Mitchell Englander and approved last month.

The new motion approved on a 12-0 vote directs the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety to draft a report which includes how many property owners are in compliance with the ordinance, enforcement measures that have been taken to ensure compliance, and how many buildings are still in need of a retrofit.

When Mayor Eric Garcetti signed the 2015 ordinance into law, it gave Los Angeles the nation’s strongest earthquake safety rules. The measure applies to older buildings considered vulnerable in major earthquakes, including roughly 13,500 wood-framed “soft-story” buildings with weak lower floors, such as multi-story apartments with tuck-under parking spaces, and an estimated 1,500 vulnerable concrete buildings.

Under the ordinance, seismic retrofits of wooden structures must occur within seven years, and retrofits of concrete buildings within 25 years, with certain benchmarks to be met along the way.

The ordinance targets buildings constructed prior to the enactment of seismic building standards, which include pre-1978 soft-story wooden buildings and concrete buildings with permits dating back to before Jan. 13, 1977.

Retrofitting can cost upwards of $130,000 for wood-frame buildings and millions of dollars for larger concrete buildings. The city does have programs that focus on cost recovery for owners, but there are no programs that provide up-front financial assistance, according to Englander’s motion.

Once the work is completed, an owner can recover 50 percent of the cost through the city’s Seismic Retrofit Program. But if the work cannot be completed within the time frame, the building could be demolished and impact the city’s effort to maintain as much of its affordable housing as possible at a time of rising homelessness and spikes in the cost of renting or owning a home.

A possible source of funding for the program could be the city’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund, according to the motion. The fund has been depleted in recent years due to cuts in federal funding, but it could benefit from a windfall by next year as a result of the City Council and Garcetti signing off late last year on a linkage fee for developers that’s predicted to generate about $100 million annually for the fund.

“Providing assistance to property owners required to seismically secure their buildings would directly prevent the loss of the city’s already limited and valuable affordable and rent-stabilized housing stock,” the motion says.

Related Posts

5 Strategies for Entrepreneurs to Succeed in the Gaming Industry

October 15, 2024

October 15, 2024

Gaming is one of the most competitive industries in the world. For entrepreneurs, this industry offers many opportunities but also...

8 Places to Spend Crypto in LA

September 2, 2024

September 2, 2024

Los Angeles is a vibrant city known for its innovative spirit, and as cryptocurrencies gain traction, many local businesses are...

The Best Sites Where You Can Buy TikTok Followers

September 2, 2024

September 2, 2024

TikTok has been popular as a social media platform with its creativity and popularity. Since it’s the case, many of...

Bitcoin Mining in Los Angeles and Its Economic Impact

August 12, 2024

August 12, 2024

Once a quirky computer pastime for the geek squad, bitcoin mining has become a significant economic force in places like...

How to Stay Safe While Enjoying Digital Entertainment in West LA

August 5, 2024

August 5, 2024

Recent developments have shown that so much of people’s daily lives are centered on the internet. A 2021 survey conducted...

Why Choose Local Florists for Your Flower Delivery?

May 12, 2024

May 12, 2024

Finding local florists has become easier than ever with the advent of digital marketplaces. Opting for Nashville flower delivery near...

8 Essential Things to Do After a Car Accident in Las Vegas

April 16, 2024

April 16, 2024

A car crash can be extremely traumatic for the people involved in it. Even if there is no major injury...

8 Essential Things to Do After a CarAccident in Las Vegas

April 8, 2024

April 8, 2024

A car crash can be extremely traumatic for the people involved in it. Even if there is no major injury...

Foreign Currency in International Business Expansion

January 2, 2024

January 2, 2024

Business has transformed into a whole different dimension. The interconnectedness across countries is increasing the feasibility of business expansions. It...

How to Select Quality Solar Panels and Installation in California

January 2, 2024

January 2, 2024

As solar energy becomes more affordable and popular, many homeowners in California are considering installing solar panels. However, not all...

Celebrating Christmas in Las Vegas: A Winter Wonderland of Fun and Festivity

November 15, 2023

November 15, 2023

As the festive season approaches, Las Vegas transforms into a glittering winter wonderland, offering a unique and magical Christmas experience....

Navigating Oxnard’s Public Transportation System: A Driver’s Guide

November 2, 2023

November 2, 2023

Whether you live in Oxnard or want to visit, it’s useful to know how to get around this coastal city....

15 Tips For Keeping Burglars Out Of Your Business

October 16, 2023

October 16, 2023

In the ever-evolving realm of business security, the persistent threat of burglary perpetually looms overhead like a dark cloud. The...

US Gambling Laws

July 12, 2023

July 12, 2023

Whilst casino gaming is a significant part of the American culture, US gambling laws are ever-changing. Prior to the Unlawful...

Reasonable Renting in The City of Angels

June 2, 2023

June 2, 2023

What would it be like to wake up in a bustling metropolis filled with endless possibilities, set against rows of...