The risk of a major earthquake is always present in Alameda, just as it is in much of California. Alameda is renowned for its historic wood-framed architecture, and there are many buildings in the City that are classified as soft-story (where open store fronts or garages are tucked under the building.) The City of Alameda is committed to protecting its residences and limiting damage to Alameda’s historic architecture. This page includes several documents that inform property owners and contractors about residential seismic strengthening requirements and provides useful guidance for properties within Alameda’s city limits.
City Ordinances
- Soft-Story Ordinance, contains mandatory compliance requirements (3/18/2009)
- List of Potentially Hazardous soft-story buildings buildings (4/3/2013)
- Existing Wood Frame Ordinance, outlines voluntary minimum standards (8/15/2006)
Useful Building Code Guidance
These documents are published by the International Existing Building Code Council (IEBC)
