City Structural Engineer vs Lender Engineer
Last updated: August 27, 2026
What does each engineer do?
The city design professional (civil or structural engineer or architect per §91.9305.1) designs the retrofit to meet Ordinance 183893 standards and prepares permit drawings. The official close-out items are the County Recorder certificate (§91.9306.6) and the statement on approved plans (§91.9310.2). The lender engineer evaluates the building as collateral and prepares a PML (Probable Maximum Loss) or SEL (Scenario Expected Loss) appraisal per Freddie Mac Chapter 64 and ASTM E2026 for underwriting. Their scopes do not overlap.
| Role | Responsibilities | Client | Deliverable |
|---|---|---|---|
| City design professional (civil or structural engineer or architect) | Design, permits per Ordinance 183893 | Building owner | Statement on approved plans (§91.9310.2) |
| Lender engineer | Earthquake collateral risk assessment per ASTM E2026 | Lender or servicer | PML/SEL appraisal (Freddie Mac) |
Why are they separate engagements?
The city design professional (civil or structural engineer or architect per §91.9305.1) is retained by the building owner to satisfy LADBS ordinance requirements. The lender engineer is retained by the lender or servicer to satisfy Freddie Mac underwriting requirements. Different clients, different purposes, different standards. Per Ordinance 183893, the Department files a County Recorder certificate (§91.9306.6) and the design professional puts a statement on the approved plans (§91.9310.2) to dismiss the Order. The PML/SEL appraisal does not replace ordinance compliance documentation.
| Criterion | City design professional | Lender engineer |
|---|---|---|
| Retained by | Building owner | Lender or servicer |
| Purpose | Ordinance 183893 compliance | Earthquake collateral risk assessment |
| Recipient | LADBS | Lender |
| Scope | Design, permits; close-out per §91.9306.6 and §91.9310.2 | PML/SEL appraisal per Freddie Mac Chapter 64 and ASTM E2026 |
| License required | California civil or structural engineer or architect (per §91.9305.1) | California civil or structural engineer (SE or PE) |
| Satisfies Order? | No | No |
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a city structural engineer and a lender engineer?
Ordinance 183893 §91.9305.1 prints that a civil or structural engineer or architect prepares the structural analysis. A lender PML/SEL is a separate appraisal. The printed city close-out items are §91.9306.6 and §91.9310.2.
Can one engineer serve both roles?
A California licensed civil or structural engineer or architect may be separately retained for both roles. However, the city design professional prepares ordinance compliance documentation for LADBS, while the lender engineer prepares collateral opinions for the lender. Per Ordinance 183893, the Department files a County Recorder certificate (§91.9306.6) and the design professional puts a statement on the approved plans (§91.9310.2) to dismiss the Order. Each engagement has distinct scope and deliverables.