This　paper　presents　a　theoretical　study　on　elastic-plastic　seismic　performance　of　lattice　shells.　Using　elastic-plastic　finite　element　theory　and　considering　the　internal　force　behavior　of　structural　element,　the　elastic-plastic　stiffness　matrix　for　lattice　shell　is　first　derived.　Then,　the　seismic　response　analysis　of　a　single-layer　cylindrical　lattice　shell　is　carried　out.　A　detailed　analysis　is　performed　to　investigate　the　elastic-plastic　performance　of　the　structure　under　strong　ground　motions.　The　elastic-plastic　behaviors　for　nodal　displacements　and　member　stresses　of　the　structure　are　discussed,　and　the　influence　of　depth-span　ratio　is　also　investigated.　Finally,　the　characteristics　for　elastic-plastic　seismic　response　of　lattice　shells　are　obtained.