Michigan
Seismic Retrofit and Soft-Story Ordinances
Engineering for mandatory soft-story and other seismic retrofits, including Los Angeles and San Francisco programs.
What the work involves
Soft-story buildings, often wood-frame apartments with parking or open space at ground level, can collapse in earthquakes. Los Angeles Ordinance 183893 (2015) requires retrofit of pre-1978 wood-frame soft-story buildings of two or more stories (with exemptions for small residential buildings of three or fewer units) and also addresses non-ductile concrete buildings. San Francisco's Mandatory Soft Story Program (2013) covers pre-1978 wood-frame buildings with five or more units and three or more stories. Engineers evaluate the building, design steel moment frames, shear walls and foundations, and support permits and construction.
Local conditions we plan for
- Frost depth and freeze thaw damage to roads
- Great Lakes shoreline erosion and fluctuating lake levels
- Heavy lake effect snow loads
- Aging water and stormwater infrastructure
Building code: 2021 IBC and 2015 IRC adopted at the state level (ICC adoption chart, April 2026).
When you need it
- City issued a mandatory retrofit order
- Wood-frame building with tuck-under parking or open ground floor
- Non-ductile concrete building in a program
- Voluntary retrofit before purchase or refinance
Frequently asked questions
How much does seismic Retrofit and Soft-Story Ordinances cost?
Across the US, seismic Retrofit and Soft-Story Ordinances usually costs $10,000 to $60,000 per building. Estimate for engineering. Construction costs are separate and typically much higher.
How long does seismic Retrofit and Soft-Story Ordinances take?
Plan on Months; city programs set multi-year compliance timelines from signed proposal to stamped deliverables, longer if a site visit, soil testing or a permit review cycle is involved.
Do I need a licensed PE for seismic Retrofit and Soft-Story Ordinances?
In most US jurisdictions, yes. When the work needs a permit, the plans, calculations or report usually must be sealed by a Professional Engineer licensed in the state where the project is located. Every deliverable we issue for permit is sealed that way.
How do I verify an engineer's license in Michigan?
Engineers practicing in Michigan are licensed by the Michigan State Board of Professional Engineers. You can confirm a license number and its status in the board's public license search before you sign a contract.
Which building code applies in Michigan?
2021 IBC and 2015 IRC adopted at the state level (ICC adoption chart, April 2026). Cities and counties can add local amendments, which is one reason to hire an engineer who works in your area.
What site problems do engineers see most in Michigan?
Common issues include frost depth and freeze thaw damage to roads, great Lakes shoreline erosion and fluctuating lake levels, heavy lake effect snow loads and aging water and stormwater infrastructure.