Unincorporated Orange County does not mandate foundation bolting for existing homes. California's Earthquake Brace + Bolt (EBB) program offers grants up to $3,000 for qualifying homeowners to bolt their homes to foundations and brace cripple walls.
Unincorporated Orange County does not have a mandatory foundation anchoring ordinance for existing homes. However, California's Earthquake Brace + Bolt (EBB) program, administered by the California Residential Mitigation Program (CRMP), provides grants up to $3,000 for eligible homeowners to seismically retrofit their homes. Eligible homes are typically pre-1980 construction with raised foundations. The retrofit involves bolting the home's sill plate to the foundation and bracing cripple walls (short wood-framed walls between the foundation and first floor). New construction since the 1950s-1960s has generally been required to include foundation bolting under building codes. Pre-1940s homes in older unincorporated areas are most at risk. Building permits from OC Building are required for retrofit work. Licensed contractors certified in seismic retrofit are recommended. The California Earthquake Authority offers premium discounts for retrofitted homes.
No mandatory anchoring requirement — no violations for non-retrofit. Building permits required for any structural work. Unpermitted modifications violate building codes. Insurance claims may be affected by non-retrofitted foundations.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Orange County.
See how Irvine's foundation anchoring rules stack up against other locations.
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