Non-Ductile Concrete Structures

Los Angeles

On October 13, 2015, the city of Los Angeles passed Ordinance #183893, which includes the LA Non-Ductile Reinforced Concrete Ordinance found here: Article 1, Division 95: Mandatory Earthquake Hazard Reduction in Existing Non-Ductile Concrete Buildings.

Scope

Los Angeles’ mandatory non-ductile concrete ordinance applies to existing buildings that have the following characteristics:

Reinforced concrete construction
Construction permit was applied for prior to January 13, 1977

This ordinance excludes detached single-family dwellings and detached duplexes.

It is estimated that approximately 1,500 buildings in the city of Los Angeles fall within the scope of this ordinance. Even if the building has not been identified by the City, any concrete building with a permit application submitted before January 13, 1977 is subject to the retrofit ordinance.

Timeline

The city of Los Angeles requires that non-ductile concrete building retrofits adhere to the timeline shown below. The majority of Orders to Comply were issued to building owners during or before January 2018. Once the Order has been received, the subsequent deadlines are initiated. Considering that most orders to comply were issued not later than January 2018, the timeline for compliance with submittal of the City’s NDC Checklist has lapsed.

MILESTONE	REQUIREMENT
BEGIN PROCESS	Order received by building owner
3 YEARS AFTER ORDER	Complete and submit the City’s Non-Ductile Concrete Building Checklist, which is required to be completed and signed by a licensed engineer or architect
10 YEARS AFTER ORDER	Obtain one of the following: 1. Permit for seismic retrofit of the building in conformance with the NDC Ordinance OR 2. Permit for demolition of the building OR 3. City’s approval of proof that the building was previously retrofitted in conformity with certain older requirements of the Los Angeles Building Code OR 4. City’s approval of proof that the building was previously retrofitted in conformity with the engineering requirements of the NDC Ordinance OR 5. City’s approval of a structural analysis showing that the building in its existing condition meets the engineering requirement of the NDC Ordinance
25 YEARS AFTER ORDER	Complete one of the following: 1. Construction of the seismic retrofit OR 2. Demolition

In the News

L.A. races to fix vulnerable buildings before next major earthquake (LA Times)

CONTACTS

Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc.
Phone: (626) 696-4650
E-mail: seismicordinances@wje.com

City of Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) | LADBS Non-Ductile Concrete Retrofit Unit
201 N. Figueroa Street, Suite 880, Los Angeles, CA, 90012
Phone: (213) 978-4475
Email: LADBS.nonductileconcreteretrofit@lacity.org