Earthquake Safety in Anaheim, CA (2026)
4 verified earthquake safety rules for Anaheim, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Soft-Story Retrofit
Anaheim does not currently operate a mandatory soft-story retrofit ordinance like Los Angeles or San Francisco, but older wood-frame apartments with tuck-under parking sit within the Newport-Inglewood Fault zone and face well-documented collapse risk. Voluntary retrofits are encouraged, and California AB 1857 authorized statewide retrofit planning standards.
Anaheim Soft-Story Seismic Retrofit
Some RestrictionsFoundation Anchoring
Anaheim homes built before 1940 often lack foundation bolts that tie the wood framing to the concrete stemwall, making them vulnerable to sliding off the foundation in a Newport-Inglewood Fault earthquake. Foundation bolting retrofits are permitted under California Existing Building Code Appendix Chapter A3 and eligible for up to 3,000 dollars in Brace and Bolt grants.
Anaheim Foundation Bolting and Anchoring
Some RestrictionsUnreinforced Masonry
Anaheim completed its mandatory unreinforced masonry (URM) retrofit program under California Government Code 8875 and Anaheim Municipal Code Chapter 15.52. Owners of URM buildings had to retrofit, demolish, or post visible warning placards. Most of the historic URM stock in Anaheim's Colony Historic District has been retrofitted.
Anaheim Unreinforced Masonry Ordinance
Heavy RestrictionsCal. Gov. Code § 8875 (Building Earthquake Safety – Definitions)
8875. Unless the context otherwise requires, the following definitions shall govern the construction of this chapter: (a) “Potentially hazardous building” means any building constructed prior to the adoption of local building codes requiring earthquake resistant design of buildings and constructed of unreinforced masonry wall construction. “Potentially hazardous building” includes all buildings...
Seismic Gas Shutoff
California Health and Safety Code 19200 through 19205 and the California Plumbing Code require seismic gas shutoff valves when a building is newly constructed or undergoes a substantial addition or alteration over 10,000 dollars. Anaheim enforces these standards through the Planning and Building Department at permit issuance.
Anaheim Seismic Gas Shutoff Valves
Some RestrictionsCal. Health & Safety Code § 19200 (Seismic Gas Shutoff Devices – Findings)
19200. The Legislature finds and declares that existing law does not require that any new seismic gas shutoff valve sold by any person in this state shall, prior to sale, be certified by the State Architect.
Looking for Orange County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Anaheim city rules.
Earthquake Safety in Orange County →