Watch CBS News

LA City Council Votes In Favor For New Earthquake Safety Requirements

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — The Los Angeles City Council on Friday approved new earthquake safety requirements for buildings. The new requirements are being touted as the strictest in the country.

The mandate seeks to retrofit regulations that target 13,500 wood-frame buildings that have weak lower floors. An additional 1,500 brittle concrete buildings are also on the list to be improved, authorities explained.

Under the proposal, soft-story buildings that received construction permits, or are believed to have been built before 1978, will be given seven years to comply. Concrete buildings that have permits dating back to before Jan. 13, 1977, will have 25 years to make necessary changes.

City leaders explained it will cost around $5,000 for each unit to be retrofitted.

At this time, it remains unclear how the cost will be split between tenants and landlords.

One option suggests splitting the cost 50-50 and capping the monthly rent increase to $38.

Meanwhile, Mayor Eric Garcetti, along with other city leaders, have pushed to create financing options for the projects.

A bill, backed by Assemblyman Adrin Nazarian, would offer tax incentives equal to about 30 percent of the retrofitting costs. In September, the bill was approved by state legislature.

Gov. Jerry Brown has until Sunday to decide whether to veto or sign the bill.

Council members approved the bill during a meeting at 10 a.m. in Van Nuys City Hall.

(©2015 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.