Seismic Retrofit Program

Earthquake preparedness is a part of life in Southern California. Damage to vulnerable buildings, physical injury, and loss of life are the most apparent threats from earthquakes, as well as significant economic loss.

City Council adopted the Seismic Retrofit Ordinance in March 2017 in order to implement the Seismic Retrofit Program (‘Program’). The Program acknowledges the reality that exists within our region and proactively seeks to strengthen existing older buildings to enhance the security and safety of their occupants.

Over 2,000 commercial and multi-family residential buildings in the City were identified as potentially seismically vulnerable in need of possible structural improvement and are required to comply with the Program (see the Seismic Retrofit Ordinance Compliance and Noticing Schedule).

Is your building on the list?

Use our tools below to determine whether a property has been identified as containing a building that may be potentially seismically vulnerable. 

Seismic Retrofit Grant Program

The City of Santa Monica has been awarded a federal grant from FEMA to assist owners of qualifying multi-family residential soft-story buildings. Grant funding will be used to reimburse property owners with a portion of design and construction costs associated with qualifying soft-story retrofit work. The City anticipates initiating the application process for the grant program in December 2022, and eligible property owners will receive notification via U.S Postal mail as well as email (if email address is on record) when the application process open. For more information, visit the Santa Monica Retrofit Grant webpage.