Council Advances First Reading of Soft‑Story Seismic Retrofit Ordinance for Older Wood‑Frame Buildings

The San Leandro City Council approved first reading of a proposed ordinance that would require seismic screening and, where necessary, retrofits for older “soft‑story” wood-frame residential buildings with five or more units constructed before Jan. 1, 1985.

Building Official Mike Jeffreys presented the ordinance at the meeting and said it is modeled on similar local programs. The item passed on first reading by a 6-0 vote with Council member Bowen absent; staff told council the item would return for a second reading and final action on December 16.

Under the draft ordinance, property owners on the city’s soft‑story inventory must complete mandatory engineering screening and a seismic structural analysis. The ordinance calls for installation of earthquake‑actuated gas shutoff valves within 60 days of notice, posting of building notifications to tenants and a staged compliance schedule for screening. The city’s inventory, created in 2007, identified about 368 potentially affected buildings and more than 4,000 units; Jeffreys said staff are refining that list and expect to remove some properties after further review.

The proposal includes incentives intended to accelerate compliance: plan-review and inspection fees would be waived 100% if engineering reports are submitted within six months of formal notice, reduced by 50% if submitted within 12 months and by 25% if submitted within 18 months. An appeal process is included: owners may challenge the building official’s determination within 60 days, and appeals would go to the city’s Board of Appeals.

Jeffreys said the ordinance uses Chapter A4 of the California Existing Building Code as the technical basis for evaluating and designing retrofits. He also noted the ordinance is designed to avoid unintended consequences that might discourage routine maintenance or other improvements to older housing stock.

During public comment, advocates applauded the measure as lifesaving preparedness. Mike Katzlacabe told council the ordinance was “likely the single most important action you take to protect lives” and urged swift adoption. Several property owners and managers urged caution, citing potential financial burdens, insurance-market pressures and the risk of housing displacement. An owner of a 45‑unit condominium told council that retrofit costs and insurance availability could be destabilizing for building residents.

Council members asked staff clarifying questions about technical points (for example, whether gas shutoff valves could be installed at a single source vs. per unit), appeals timelines and whether the city would offer additional financial assistance. Staff said they had not identified federal or state soft‑story retrofit grant programs but that certain housing rehab funding sources could be considered if owners commit to long‑term affordability agreements.

Staff recommended, and council approved, the ordinance for second reading. Jeffreys said staff and the consultant team will continue outreach and will publish public information and formal notices to affected owners and tenants ahead of compliance timelines.

Next steps: second reading and final adoption scheduled for Dec. 16; staff outreach and notice to building owners and tenants to follow in January–May 2025.