Drill: Type scale: build a page using only type for hierarchy (no boxes, no color, no icons). 6 levels deep. Target: hierarchy readable at a glance.
Interpretation: Built as a municipal seismic-retrofit ordinance chapter — a structured reference document where hierarchy is addressed (§ numbers, lettered subsections, numbered clauses) rather than displayed, so the page must support scan-navigation to any section. Serif-speaks/mono-points role split: Source Serif 4 for prose and titles, JetBrains Mono for coordinates, enumeration, dates, and money; two data tables under the no-boxes constraint carry a single header hairline each. Aesthetic reference: printed municipal code supplements (Municode style) on warm paper-white.
The purpose of this chapter is to promote public safety and reduce the risk of collapse in earthquakes by requiring the seismic evaluation and retrofit of existing wood-frame buildings that contain a soft, weak, or open-front wall line in the first story and that were constructed before January 1, 2000. The standards of this chapter are minimum life-safety standards; they are not intended to prevent all earthquake damage to a complying building.
The city council finds that the buildings identified in the Bureau’s 2024 inventory pose a disproportionate risk to their occupants and to adjacent rights-of-way, and that their orderly retrofit is a matter of municipal concern under the city’s police power.1
This chapter applies to every parcel improved with a wood-frame building that (1) was constructed before January 1, 2000; (2) contains five or more dwelling units; and (3) has a soft, weak, or open-front wall line in the first story. The Bureau’s 2024 citywide inventory identified 234 such buildings containing 958 dwelling units.
Buildings for which a completed retrofit permit received final approval before the effective date of this chapter.
One- and two-family dwellings and townhouses regulated under the Residential Code, including accessory dwelling units served by the same foundation.
Buildings demolished under an active demolition permit for which work has commenced.
Buildings that the Bureau, upon a filed evaluation, determines present no soft, weak, or open-front condition.
The Bureau assigns each covered building to Tier One, Two, or Three according to story count and configuration under Table 24.11-A. A tier assignment is final unless appealed under § 24.11.080 D within 30 days of service.
For purposes of this chapter:
Bureau means the Building and Safety Bureau of the Department of Public Works.
Complete or completion means that the Bureau has issued final approval of the retrofit permit, all corrections are cleared, and all fees under § 24.11.060 are paid. Completion is a distinct event from any certificate of occupancy; nothing in this chapter affects occupancy status.2
Dwelling unit has the meaning given in Arden Mun. Code § 14.04.020.
Open line means an exterior wall line of the first story in which openings for doors, windows, or commercial glazing occupy sufficient length that the story’s lateral strength is substantially less than that of the story above.
Soft story means a story whose lateral stiffness is less than 70 percent of the stiffness of the story above, or less than 80 percent of the average stiffness of the three stories above.
Tier means the compliance tier assigned to a covered building under § 24.11.020 C and Table 24.11-A.
An owner shall submit a complete retrofit permit application, and shall complete construction, not later than the dates in Table 24.11-A.3
| Tier | Bldgs | Units | Permit | Complete |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 68 | 412 | 2026-06-30 | 2027-12-31 |
| 2 | 121 | 486 | 2027-06-30 | 2028-12-31 |
| 3 | 45 | 60 | 2028-06-30 | 2029-12-31 |
| All tiers | 234 | 958 | — | — |
Retrofit work shall conform to ASCE/SEI 41-23, Seismic Evaluation and Retrofit of Existing Buildings, at the S-3 performance objective, or to Appendix A, Chapter A-4 of the 2024 International Existing Building Code.
The strength of the first story after retrofit shall be not less than the strength of the story immediately above.
Existing foundations may be relied upon where an investigation substantiates their capacity; otherwise new footings shall be constructed to accept the retrofit forces.
The analysis shall document torsional and overturning effects at each open line.
An owner may elect an alternative basis of design demonstrating equivalent performance by nonlinear analysis. The basis of design shall bear the seal of a civil or structural engineer licensed in this state.
At permit issuance the owner shall pay the plan review and field inspection fees in Table 24.11-B. Re-inspection fees apply per visit when a scheduled inspection fails for causes within the owner’s control.4
| Item | Amount | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Plan review | $340 | per dwelling unit |
| Field inspection | $185 | per dwelling unit |
| Subtotal at issuance | $525 | per dwelling unit |
| Re-inspection, if required | $120 | per visit |
Upon written application filed before the applicable permit deadline, and for good cause shown, the Bureau may extend a deadline in Table 24.11-A by up to six months. Not more than two extensions shall be granted for a building, and extensions may not exceed twelve months in the aggregate. Denial of an extension is appealable under § 24.11.080 D within 30 days of service.
It is unlawful for any owner to fail to comply with a deadline of this chapter after written notice has been served.
The Bureau may record a notice of noncompliance against the title of a noncomplying building. The notice shall be released upon completion.
Each day of continued violation after the applicable deadline constitutes a separate infraction punishable by a fine of $500.5
A tier assignment, exemption denial, or extension denial may be appealed to the Hearing Officer by written filing within 30 days of service of the determination. The Hearing Officer’s decision is final.