Inspectors pressuring soft story buildings owners to come into compliance

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- San Francisco building inspectors are hoping shame will convince owners of 380 soft story buildings to take steps to shore-up their properties.

Soft story structures are prone to collapse in a major earthquake.

Inspectors are tagging homes throughout the city.

The spots that are being tagged are among the five percent of buildings where owners have not yet complied with city retro-fit requirements adopted last year.

Building owners had until mid-September to return an initial inspection form completed by an architect or structural engineer, outlining if the building was up to code or if work was needed.

"We post this warning sign to ask the owner to submit the screening form. This gives them a 30-day notice," explained Tom Hui, Director of the San Francisco Department of Building Inspections.

Owners of soft story buildings have up to three years to complete mandatory retrofits.