Earthquake Safety in San Francisco, CA (2026)
4 verified earthquake safety rules for San Francisco, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Soft-Story Retrofit
San Francisco's Mandatory Seismic Retrofit Program (Ordinance 66-13, signed April 2013) requires seismic strengthening of wood-frame soft-story buildings with 5+ units built before 1978. All building tiers had compliance deadlines that passed by September 2021. Non-compliant buildings face escalating penalties.
San Francisco Mandatory Soft-Story Retrofit Program (Ordinance 66-13)
Heavy RestrictionsFoundation Anchoring
San Francisco encourages foundation anchoring (bolting) for older wood-frame homes to prevent earthquake damage. Foundation bolts anchor the wooden structure to its concrete foundation, and cripple wall bracing prevents collapse. The city offers expedited permit processing for voluntary seismic upgrades.
San Francisco Earthquake Foundation Anchoring Requirements
Some RestrictionsUnreinforced Masonry
San Francisco Ordinance 225-92 mandated seismic retrofit of approximately 2,000 unreinforced masonry buildings. Voters approved $350 million in bonds for low-interest loans to building owners. Over 95% of identified UMBs have been retrofit or demolished as of 2014.
San Francisco Unreinforced Masonry Building (UMB) Retrofit Ordinance
Heavy RestrictionsSeismic Gas Shutoff
California law requires seismic gas shutoff valves on new construction and major renovations. San Francisco follows state requirements under California Health and Safety Code Sections 19200-19204. Valves automatically close the gas supply during earthquakes to prevent fires.