Structural engineering · Long Beach, CA

Structural Engineering Services in Long Beach, CA

Connect with engineering firms serving Long Beach and the greater Los Angeles metro area. Common work runs from load-bearing wall removals and ADUs to seismic retrofits, foundation repair and more.

Also searched as: residential structural engineer Long Beach CA · stamped structural calculations Long Beach · Long Beach ADU structural engineer · Long Beach seismic retrofit engineer · structural engineer near me Long Beach

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Local code & loads

Long Beach building code & ASCE 7 design loads

Long Beach enforces the 2025 California Building Code (CBC), based on the 2024 IBC, with City of Long Beach amendments. Stamped calculations submitted for permit reference the design parameters below.

Values shown for reference only — project-specific values from the ASCE 7 Hazard Tool should be used for engineering design at the actual project address.

ASCE 7 design parameters

Default values used for most residential and light-commercial projects in Long Beach. Site Class and seismic spectral values may shift based on geotechnical investigation.

Building code	2025 California Building Code (CBC), based on the 2024 IBC, with City of Long Beach amendments
ASCE 7 edition	ASCE 7-22
Seismic Sₛ	1.82g
Seismic S₁	0.72g
Site class	Default
SᴅS	1.31g
Sᴅ₁	1g
Seismic Design Category	D
Ultimate wind speed	95 mph
Ground snow load	0 psf

Risk Category II assumed for typical residential and light commercial use — confirm with your engineer if the occupancy or use may require a higher category.

Long Beach is high-seismic, with the Newport-Inglewood Fault running directly beneath the city. That fault caused the 1933 earthquake and keeps lateral design front and center. The coastal soil profile includes marine sands and soft muds with liquefaction potential, and the Wilmington oil field's history of subsidence is part of the local foundation story. The values below are regional placeholders only. Always pull site-specific values from the ASCE 7 Hazard Tool (https://ascehazardtool.org) for the actual project address.

Common projects engineers design in Long Beach

The work engineers handle frequently in Long Beach and the surrounding Los Angeles County.

Load-bearing wall removals and open-concept remodels
Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and garage conversions
Soft-story seismic retrofit (voluntary program)
Room additions and second-story additions
Foundation repair and underpinning
Deck, balcony, and patio structures
Rooftop solar array structural verification
Tenant improvements and adaptive reuse

What's different about Long Beach

Local conditions that affect structural design

City-specific factors that show up in many Long Beach calculations — and the things plan reviewers look for.

The Newport-Inglewood Fault runs right under Long Beach, and the 1933 Long Beach earthquake on that fault is part of why California began requiring earthquake-resistant design. Seismic detailing matters on nearly every project here.

Coastal soils include marine sands and soft muds that can liquefy in a strong quake, especially near the port and lower-lying areas. A geotechnical report is the usual starting point for foundations in these zones.

Long Beach has a long history with the Wilmington oil field and the ground subsidence it once caused. While injection programs largely stopped the settlement decades ago, older structures can still show differential settlement that an engineer may need to address.

The city runs a voluntary soft-story retrofit program, so older apartment buildings with parking underneath are a steady source of bracing and frame retrofit work.

ADUs and garage conversions are popular across the city's older neighborhoods, and they typically need stamped calculations for new openings, beams, and foundations.

Permits

Where to submit your Long Beach permit

Stamped calculations from clearspan are submitted directly to the City of Long Beach Building & Safety Bureau. Most residential structural submittals are reviewed online.

Building department

City of Long Beach Building & Safety Bureau

411 W Ocean Blvd, 2nd Floor, Long Beach, CA 90802

(562) 570-7648

Visit the building department →

Submittal notes

Long Beach runs its own Building & Safety Bureau and enforces the California code with local amendments. The city offers a voluntary soft-story seismic retrofit program rather than a mandatory one. Given the local soils, a geotechnical report is common for new foundations and additions. Confirm the jurisdiction for the project address before submitting.

FAQ

Structural engineering in Long Beach — FAQs

The questions Long Beach contractors and homeowners ask most often.

Do I need an engineer to remove a wall in my Long Beach home?+

If the wall is load-bearing, stamped structural calculations from an engineer will help you avoid plan-review comments and keep the Long Beach permit moving.

Do Long Beach's coastal soils require special foundation design?+

Often, yes. Marine sands and soft muds near the coast and the port can liquefy during an earthquake, so a geotechnical report is the usual first step. From there an engineer can design footings, piers, or ground improvement suited to the site.

How quickly can I get stamped calculations for a Long Beach permit?+

Most residential beam and wall-removal calculations are turned around within a few business days through clearspan's process. Timelines depend on scope, and availability of an engineer to review and accept the design through clearspan.

Nearby cities

Structural engineers in other Los Angeles Metro cities

Browse city pages for nearby jurisdictions.

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