Unreinforced Masonry: Anaheim vs Newport Beach
How do unreinforced masonry rules compare between Anaheim, CA and Newport Beach, CA?
Newport Beach has fewer restrictions than Anaheim.
Anaheim, CA
Orange County
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.
View full Anaheim rules →Newport Beach, CA
Orange County
Unincorporated Orange County does not have a mandatory unreinforced masonry (URM) retrofit ordinance. California SB 547 required inventories of URM buildings but did not mandate retrofits. Few URM buildings exist in unincorporated OC areas due to newer construction patterns.
View full Newport Beach rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Anaheim | Newport Beach |
|---|---|---|
| - | - | |
| Mandatory Retrofit | - | Not required in unincorporated OC |
| URM Inventory | - | SB 547 required listing |
| Prevalence | - | Few URM buildings in unincorp. OC |
| Retrofit Standards | - | CA Existing Building Code App A1 |
| Funding | - | FEMA Hazard Mitigation grants |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Anaheim FAQ
Newport Beach FAQ
Are there unreinforced masonry buildings in Orange County?
Very few in unincorporated areas. Most OC development occurred after modern seismic codes were adopted. Older commercial areas may have some URM structures.
Is URM retrofit mandatory?
No. Unincorporated OC does not have a mandatory URM retrofit ordinance. Voluntary retrofit is encouraged for any identified URM buildings.
How do I know if my building is URM?
A structural engineer can assess your building. Typical URM buildings are pre-1933 brick or stone construction without steel reinforcement.
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