A multiple level-of-detail (LOD) simulation framework is proposed in this study, to take full consideration of the diversity of structural types, available data, and simulation scenarios in an actual application of seismic-damage simulation to urban buildings. Firstly, key features of the frequently used seismic simulation methods for buildings are discussed, and logical relationships of these simulation methods, as well as the available multi-source data, are established in different LODs. Secondly, implementation of the proposed multi-LOD simulation framework is presented, and a unified city data structure is proposed to enable effective management and storage of data with different LODs. Finally, the Beijing central business district, which has various types of buildings, is investigated in detail to demonstrate the proposed multi-LOD framework. The accuracy, efficiency, and corresponding requirements of different LOD simulations are compared and discussed. The outcomes of this work are expected to provide a useful reference for the application of seismic-damage simulations in complex urban areas.