What Are Soft Story Ordinances?

Soft story ordinances in the Bay Area affect thousands of apartment and mixed‑use buildings. These rules apply to buildings with weak ground floors, such as parking or open storefronts under housing. In many past earthquakes, this “soft story” level has collapsed first. As a result, cities created soft story ordinances to reduce that risk.

Why They Are Hard to Understand

Each city handles soft story ordinances in its own way. San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, Albany, Fremont, and San Jose all have programs. However, the details are different in every place. Some cities have strict deadlines and penalties. Others also link their rules to programs like the Earthquake Multi‑Unit Retrofit (EMR) Program. Therefore, owners often feel unsure about what applies to their building.

What This Page Gives You

This page pulls our best guides on soft story ordinances together in one place. First, we explain which buildings are covered and how to read notices from your city. Next, we outline what a typical soft story retrofit looks like and how EMR‑style programs fit into the bigger picture. Finally, we link to city‑specific articles so you can go deeper where it matters.

For a big‑picture view of why these rules exist, start here:
Bay Area Soft-Story Homes: Why You Must Retrofit Now to Avoid $150,000+ in Earthquake Losses

If you own property in San Jose, this is the key article:
San Jose Soft-Story Retrofit Ordinance

To compare how several Bay Area programs work, read:
Bay Area Soft-Story Programs Compared: What San Jose Owners Can Learn from SF, Oakland, Berkeley, Albany, and Fremont

If you are buying or selling a soft story building, use this next:
Soft-Story Buildings Due Diligence Checklist for Buyers and Sellers in the Bay Area

When you are ready to move from reading to action, see how our retrofit work fits these ordinances here:
Soft-Story Retrofits

Soft story ordinances can feel complex at first. However, this page exists to make them clear and to help you see your next step. Start with the article that matches your city. Then talk with your engineer, your contractor, or with us about how to meet the rules and actually protect your building in the next earthquake.