Is Your Building Earthquake Safe? Here’s How to Find Out

What Are Soft-Story and Non-Ductile Concrete Buildings?

Two kinds of buildings are especially likely to be damaged in an earthquake.

Soft-Story Buildings: These are usually multi-story buildings with a lot of open space on the ground floor, like parking, storefronts, or large windows. Those openings weaken the structure, so the upper floors are more likely to collapse onto the ground floor in a quake.

Non-Ductile Concrete Buildings: These are older concrete buildings built before modern seismic codes. “Non-ductile” means the concrete can’t flex enough to absorb an earthquake’s energy, so instead of bending, it can fail suddenly.

If your building fits either description, find out whether it has been reinforced, or retrofitted, to hold up in an earthquake.

How to Check if Your Building Has Been Retrofitted

You can look up your building’s retrofit status online in a few minutes:

1. Visit the LADBS Online Services: Go to the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety’s online portal and search for your building.
2. Locate Retrofit Program Information: Find the “Retrofit Program Information” section.
3. Check the “Possible Soft-Story” Tab: If your building is listed, it will show “Yes” or “No” under “Possible Soft-Story.” A “No” means the city doesn’t consider your building a soft-story structure, which is good news. A “Yes” means it’s been flagged, and it’s worth finding out whether the retrofit has been done.
4. Review the Non-Ductile Concrete Retrofit Program: Look for the “Possible Non-Ductile Concrete Building” section. A “No” here means your building isn’t in this high-risk category.

Why This Matters for Renters

As a renter, you probably don’t get a say in whether your building is retrofitted, but you do have a right to know how safe it is. A retrofitted building is better able to handle the forces of an earthquake, which lowers the chance of serious damage or collapse. That protects you, and it protects your belongings too.

If your building hasn’t been retrofitted, ask your landlord what their plans are for upgrades. Knowing the risk also helps you decide where you want to live and how to prepare.

Take Action

Checking your building’s retrofit status takes a few minutes, and it’s one of the most useful things you can do to get ready for a quake. If your building hasn’t been retrofitted, talk to your landlord or property manager about what happens next.

Southern California Wildfire Response responds to more than wildfires. After a major earthquake, emergency crews across Los Angeles will be stretched thin, and the people whose buildings stay standing are the ones who won’t be waiting on help.

Southern California Wildfire Response (SCWR) is a community wildland fire and all-hazard emergency response department serving Los Angeles and neighboring counties. We exist to protect communities and close the gap between when disasters begin and when help arrives. Support our operations at socalwildfire.org/donate, and download LAIT911 for real-time Los Angeles emergency alerts.