San Jose Soft-Story Retrofit Ordinance – Stay Compliant with Cal-Quake
San Jose Soft Story Retrofit Program
The City of San Jose has identified soft-story buildings as high-risk structures during seismic events, urging property owners to voluntarily retrofit their buildings to prevent collapse and protect lives. If your building has a weak or open ground floor, now is the time to act before stricter ordinances are put in place.
At Cal-Quake, we provide turnkey seismic retrofitting solutions, from structural assessments and permitting to full construction and compliance—helping you future-proof your property and enhance its value before regulations tighten.
🔗 View the Official San Jose Soft-Story Retrofit Information Here
What Is the San Jose Soft-Story Ordinance?
The San Jose Soft-Story Retrofit Ordinance is set to go into effect on April 1, 2025, requiring certain multi-story buildings with weak or open ground floors to undergo mandatory seismic retrofitting.
San Jose has long recognized the risks associated with soft-story buildings—structures with open ground floors such as tuck-under parking or large commercial spaces—which are highly vulnerable to collapse during earthquakes. While previous efforts encouraged voluntary retrofitting, this new ordinance will make compliance mandatory for affected properties.
Key Milestones for the San Jose Soft-Story Retrofit Ordinance:
📅 Dec. 31, 2024 – Online portal launch for building owners to file compliance information.
📅 Nov. 2024 – June 2025 – City-led outreach to affected property owners.
📅 Summer 2025 – Program status presentation to the Community and Economic Development Committee.
📅 April 1, 2025 – Ordinance officially goes into effect.
Does your Property Require a Retrofit?
Your building may be subject to the San Jose Soft-Story Retrofit Ordinance if it meets the following criteria:
✅ Wood-frame construction with at least three residential units
✅ Built before 1990, before modern seismic safety standards were implemented
✅ Contains crawl spaces that lack earthquake retrofitting, making the structure more vulnerable to seismic activity
✅ Has a soft, weak, or open ground floor, such as large openings used for parking, storage, or commercial use
If your property meets these criteria, you may be required to complete a seismic retrofit once the ordinance takes effect on April 1, 2025.
Cal-Quake offers free structural assessments to determine your compliance requirements and help you get ahead of the deadline.
Compliance Timeline and Building Criteria
How Cal-Quake Can Help
Our end-to-end seismic retrofit services ensure your building is strengthened with minimal disruption and maximum efficiency.
✅ Site Inspection & Risk Evaluation – We assess your building’s vulnerabilities and provide a compliance roadmap.
✅ Custom Seismic Engineering Plans – Designed for safety, efficiency, and compliance with future regulations.
✅ Permit Filing & City Coordination – We handle all required paperwork with the San Jose Building Division.
✅ Structural Reinforcement & Retrofitting – Installation of shear walls, steel moment frames, and foundation upgrades.
✅ Final Inspection & Certification – Ensuring your building is fully earthquake-ready and up to code.
Why Choose Cal-Quake for Your San Jose Retrofit?
🔹 30+ Years of Seismic Retrofitting Expertise – Thousands of successful projects completed.
🔹 Future-Proof Your Property – Stay ahead of expected seismic regulations and avoid higher costs later.
🔹 Hassle-Free Compliance Management – We handle everything, from engineering to final approvals.
🔹 Minimized Disruptions – Fast, efficient construction to keep your tenants and business operations running smoothly.
Get Started Today – Free Consultation!
Don’t wait until it’s too late—earthquake retrofits protect lives, property, and your investment. Contact Cal-Quake today for a free consultation and ensure your building is compliant with the San Jose Soft-Story Retrofit Ordinance.
📞 Call us: 323-931-2969
📧 Email: info@cal-quake.com
