Earthquake Safety in California (2026)
9 rules on the books across California, 4 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
Soft-Story Retrofit
Mandatory retrofit requirements for multi-story buildings with weak first floors, including compliance deadlines, engineering standards, and cost responsibilities.
Unreinforced Masonry
Retrofit requirements for older brick and masonry buildings that are vulnerable to earthquake damage, including compliance timelines and strengthening standards.
Los Angeles
Significant RestrictionsLos Angeles mandates seismic analysis and retrofit or demolition of all unreinforced masonry bearing wall buildings…
Read full rule →Anaheim
Some RestrictionsAnaheim completed its mandatory unreinforced masonry (URM) retrofit program under California Government Code 8875 and…
Read full rule →San Diego
Some RestrictionsSan Diego has an active Unreinforced Masonry (URM) Building ordinance requiring retrofit or demolition of pre-1939 URM…
Read full rule →San Leandro
Some RestrictionsCalifornia's URM Law (Government Code 8875 et seq.) required San Leandro and all SDC D/E jurisdictions to inventory…
Read full rule →Seismic Gas Shutoff
Requirements for automatic earthquake gas shutoff valves on residential and commercial properties to prevent post-earthquake fires.
Anaheim
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Health and Safety Code 19200 through 19205 and the California Plumbing Code require seismic gas shutoff…
Read full rule →San Leandro
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Health and Safety Code 19200-19205 and California Building Code 1.8.5 require seismic gas shutoff valves for…
Read full rule →Non-Ductile Concrete Retrofit
Mandatory retrofit programs for older non-ductile concrete buildings vulnerable to collapse, including LA's ordinance, compliance deadlines, and engineering standards.
Wood-Frame Retrofit
Strengthening rules for older multi-unit wood-frame buildings beyond standard soft-story compliance, including shear-wall and tie-down requirements.