Seattle has recognized 76 unreinforced masonry (URM) buildings as retrofitted. This is part of the city’s efforts to improve earthquake safety. Seattle keeps a database of over 1,100 URM buildings. These buildings are at higher risk of collapse during earthquakes if not reinforced.
Retrofitting URM buildings includes securing floors and roofs to walls and bracing parapets or tall walls. In 2021, the Mayor and City Council directed the creation of a mandatory seismic retrofit process. By 2022, the city worked with engineers to define the scope of work and update seismic regulations. These rules were added to the 2021 Seattle Existing Building Code, which took effect in November 2024.
Currently, retrofitting is voluntary unless building owners make changes that meet certain criteria. In those cases, retrofitting becomes mandatory. Since the new code started, nine building owners have applied for recognition of their retrofits. The URM Program team also recognized 67 more buildings as retrofitted due to major changes made after April 24, 2009…