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Deadline Looming for Retrofit on SF Buildings Subject to “Soft-Story Law “

September 15th, 2017 is the deadline to pull permits for buildings requiring retrofit work in San Francisco under the 2013 Soft-Story Law.  As of April 9th, the San Francisco Chronicle reports that many owners of the “tier three building category– wood frame structures containing between five and 15 units” have yet to file for permits.  Apparently, The City has mailed monthly notices reminding owners of the deadline as well as reaching out to landlords with a city-wide publicity campaign.   Only 48% of the 3526 buildings in the City that fall into this mandatory compliance have applied for permits.  Note: after the permit is filed, the owner has up to two years to finish the work.

Owners need to be aware that they will be subject to fines and delays if they wait much longer to get started. It will become increasingly difficult to engage a structural engineer as their schedules fill up making the process a more expensive proposition for late comers.  After the deadline, owners who do not have a permit, will be called into the City for a hearing, get a sign courtesy of the City of SF stating “Earthquake Warning” tacked to their building, and that’s when the fines begin.  A lien could be placed on the property, and even worse, the  City Attorney could file a lawsuit against the owner.  This friendly reminder encourages our readers to get active, avoid the headache, and save the extra dollars that will you will have to pay if you wait much longer.  The investment now will save you from future headaches.  If we can help, please give us a call or email.  We have worked with the City of San Francisco on many retrofit projects.  Alexander Itsekson, Principal Engineer, Enginious Structures  510-272-9999 or sasha@enginious-structures.com.

If you’d like to read the San Francisco Chronicle article – here’s the link. http://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/For-SF-landlords-deadline-looms-to-retrofit-11060397.php

 

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