Soft Story Retrofit in Culver City, CA
Retrofit contractor for the city's mandatory program: 13,500 wood-frame buildings with tuck-under parking. CSLB License #1141734.
Culver City's soft story program is in its decisive stretch. The city noticed 465 buildings between October 2023 and July 2024, the 2-year plan deadlines have passed for every tier, and the 3-year permit deadlines are landing now, largest buildings first. By the city's own mid-2026 count, fewer than one building in six had finished construction. If yours is among the rest, the queue at plan check is only getting longer.
The Culver City Clock
Ordinance 2021-013 measures every deadline from your notice date:
- 1 year: screening report (optional, used to claim exemption)
- 2 years: submit retrofit plans
- 3 years: obtain the permit
- 4 years: start construction
- 5 years: complete construction
Notices went out by priority: buildings over 12 units or taller first (October 2023), then 5 to 12 units (February
2024), then the rest, including duplexes, triplexes, and townhomes (July 2024). Smaller properties are in this
program; Culver City reaches further down the size range than most cities.
Where That Leaves Owners in 2026 and 2027
Plans are overdue for every tier, and the permit deadlines are landing: Priority I came due in early October 2026, Priority II follows in February 2027 and Priority III in July 2027, with construction-start deadlines a year behind each and completion a year after that. An owner who starts now can still land inside the construction windows; an owner who waits for enforcement letters loses the calendar room to do it on their terms.
Culver City Soft Story FAQs
Recoverable, if you move. Plan deadlines have passed, but construction deadlines have not. We get engineered plans into plan check quickly and sequence permits and construction so the building can still close out inside its window.
Often yes. Culver City’s third priority tier sweeps in smaller wood-frame properties with soft, weak, or open front conditions, including duplexes, triplexes, and townhomes. The screening review is how exemptions get decided, and we can tell you quickly whether yours is worth filing
Usually a steel moment frame or new shear walls at the open side, new footings, and connections, built in a few weeks with tenants in place.
Why Owners Choose CalPrime
- Licensed, bonded, and insured. CSLB License #1141734.
- One team from assessment through final city sign-off: engineering plans, permits, construction, and inspections.
- Tenants stay in place. We stage the work around parking areas and keep the building occupied.
- A line-item estimate from a free site walk before you commit to anything
Start With a Free Building Assessment
Send us your property address and we will check your building’s status with the city, walk the site, and give you a clear scope and estimate. No cost, no obligation.