San Jose Building Owners, Do You Need to Retrofit Your Building?
The City of San Jose’s mandatory Soft Story Retrofit Ordinance took effect April 1, 2026. If you own a multi-family wood-frame building built before 1990, your first compliance deadline, a required structural screening, is October 1, 2027.
The Risk Is Real. The Deadline Is Mandatory.
San Jose sits in one of the most seismically active regions in the country. These numbers show why the city isn’t waiting.
Buildings estimated to be subject to the ordinance in San Jose
Housing units likely requiring seismic evaluation or retrofit
Probability of a 6.0+ earthquake in San Jose in the next 30 years
What Is a Soft Story Building?
A soft story occurs when the ground floor is significantly weaker than the floors above, typically due to tuck-under parking, large retail storefronts, or open storage.
During an earthquake, these ground floors can collapse or “pancake,” causing catastrophic damage. Retrofitting strengthens these levels with steel frames or shear walls, ensuring the building survives the movement.
San Jose Ordinance
Compliance Deadlines
All subject buildings must complete screening by October 1, 2027. Missing the screening deadline triggers immediate penalties. Start the process early to ensure a smooth compliance path.
Oct 2027
Mandatory Screening
All subject buildings (Groups 1, 2, and 3) must complete the city-required screening form by this date.
Apr 2031
Group 1 Deadline
Deadline for buildings built before Jan 1, 1978 with 5 or more units to complete all retrofit work.
Apr 2032
Group 2 Deadline
Deadline for buildings built between 1978 and 1990 with 5 or more units to complete retrofitting.
Apr 2033
Group 3 Deadline
Deadline for all other subject buildings built before Jan 1, 1990 with 3 or more dwelling units.
San Jose Soft Story FAQs
Find answers to common questions about Ordinance No. 31123, mandatory screening deadlines, and how to protect your San Jose property investment.
Is my building subject to the San Jose Ordinance?
Typically, wood-frame residential buildings in San Jose with 3 or more dwelling units, at least 2 stories, and ground-floor openings like tuck-under parking or retail space built before 1990 are subject to the ordinance.
When is the deadline for the screening form?
The first critical deadline is October 1, 2027. All subject buildings must have a licensed structural engineer submit a screening form to the City of San Jose by this date to determine if a retrofit is required.
Do tenants have to relocate during a retrofit?
In most cases, no. Retrofit work is usually concentrated on the ground floor or in parking areas. Tenants can typically remain in their units while the structural frames or shear walls are being installed.
What if I think my building is exempt?
Owners who believe their building is exempt (e.g., due to previous retrofitting or construction type) must still have a licensed engineer submit a screening form to the City to establish the exemption.
How much does a seismic evaluation cost?
Miyamoto provides preliminary consultations at no cost. For formal city screening, we provide a competitive quote based on your building’s size and complexity. Contact us for a property-specific assessment.
Talk to a San Jose Soft Story Expert
Fill out the form and a licensed structural engineer will contact you to discuss your building’s requirements and compliance group at no cost.