What decision does this guide help you make?
Soft-story work commonly occurs beneath occupied apartments. The owner needs a practical construction plan and, where required, an approved Tenant Habitability Plan or local equivalent.
Use the 2026 cost guide with the decisions described on this page.
What is the practical sequence?
| Stage | Owner’s question | Useful output |
|---|---|---|
| Assess | Which units, services and common areas may be affected? | Impact register |
| Mitigate | How will noise, dust, utilities, access and property be protected? | Habitability measures |
| Notify | Which forms, dates and delivery methods apply? | Notice record |
| Monitor | Who handles changes and tenant concerns? | Dated issue log |
LAHD describes the THP as the document that explains work, impacts and mitigation for affected tenants and property. West Hollywood has a separate checklist and review. Do not submit one city’s form to another or assume a construction schedule can be finalized before the required clearance.
Which records should be in one review file?
- unit and tenant contact register stored securely;
- work areas, access routes and parking impacts;
- utility interruption and fire/life-safety continuity plan;
- noise, dust, debris and hazardous-material controls;
- temporary protection, relocation or accommodation requirements;
- approved habitability documents and served notices;
- proof of service, complaint path and change log.
Where can a proposal become misleading?
A proposal may say “owner handles tenants” while the schedule assumes empty parking bays, uninterrupted access and immediate work hours. Those assumptions need to be reconciled. Tenant information should not be placed in a broad bid package unless necessary and lawfully handled.
What should the written proposal state?
- work hours and occupied-area boundaries;
- parking displacement and alternative arrangements;
- utility shutdown notice and restoration procedure;
- dust, noise, vibration and property protection;
- hazardous-material responsibility;
- required habitability application support;
- tenant notice support and on-site contact;
- delay and resequencing rules when access changes.
How do local rules change the answer?
LAHD says its THP application is mandatory for soft-story work mandated by Ordinance 183893. West Hollywood requires a checklist for occupied residential work, may require a full THP, publishes a 10-business-day review period for a complete submission and requires specific notices before work. Always use the current city page.
What can you do before the first site meeting?
Walk the property at the hours when parking and entries are busiest. Mark every stall, gate, stair, meter and unit above the work. Write expected impacts in plain language. Confirm the city process before promising dates to tenants.
Frequently asked questions
Will tenants have to move out?
Not necessarily. The required mitigation depends on actual impacts and the authority’s determination. Do not promise on-site occupancy or relocation until the plan is reviewed.
Who prepares the THP?
The owner is responsible for the required submission, often with information from the contractor and city staff. The exact process depends on the jurisdiction.
Can cost recovery be assumed in the project budget?
No. City of Los Angeles cost recovery requires a separate application and supporting records. Treat approval as conditional.