CEA is committed to making California communities safer, more resilient, and better able to recover from a damaging earthquake.
If you own an older house (built before 2000), consider a seismic retrofit to strengthen it and make it more resistant to earthquakes.
There are several kinds of seismic retrofits—the one you need depends on what type of house you have.*
Brace & Bolt Retrofit
A “brace and bolt” retrofit strengthens homes built before 1980 that have what’s known as a raised foundation. Often these houses have one or two steps up to a front porch. This seismic retrofit involves bolting or bolting and bracing the house to its foundation in compliance with California Existing Building Code Chapter A3.
For qualifying homes with a completed and verified brace and bolt retrofit, CEA offers an earthquake insurance premium discount to our policyholders of up to 25%.
There are two programs that can help fund your Brace + Bolt retrofit. For CEA policyholders, you may be eligible for funding through the CEA Brace + Bolt (CEA BB) program. For everyone else, including CEA policyholders who do not meet the eligibility requirements for CEA BB, you may be eligible for funding through the Earthquake Brace + Bolt (EBB) program that is run by the California Residential Mitigation Program (CRMP). EBB is open to California homeowners in select ZIP Codes.
More information on both programs is provided below.
Earthquake Brace + Bolt (EBB)
Earthquake Brace + Bolt is an incentive program, run by the CRMP, that offers grants of up to $3,000 to qualified homeowners with eligible houses in a select number of higher-earthquake-risk ZIP Codes.
You do not need to be a CEA policyholder to be eligible for this grant.
ZIP Codes chosen for program participation are ordered by the following two criteria:
- Earthquake Hazard: Hazard was identified using the United States Geological Survey (USGS) earthquake hazard map for California.
- Earthquake Vulnerability: Vulnerability was determined by identifying the percentage of pre-1940 houses in ZIP Codes in California (US Census Data). Older houses are more likely to require earthquake bracing and bolting.
Over time, and with additional funding, CRMP hopes to make all high hazard areas in California eligible for EBB grant funding.
Income-eligible homeowners may also qualify for a Supplemental Grant if their household income is $87,360 or less. When combined, these grants may be able to pay for up to 100 percent of a homeowner’s retrofit, if they qualify. Grants are contingent upon meeting eligibility requirements and available funds.
EBB program registration is open for a limited time each year. Visit the EBB website to learn when program registration is open, and if your home qualifies.
Learn about the value of an EBB retrofit
FAQs
Earthquake Brace + Bolt is an incentive program, run by the CRMP, that offers grants of up to $3,000 to qualified homeowners with eligible houses in a select number of higher-earthquake-risk ZIP Codes.
What are the retrofit requirements for earthquakes in California? ›
Retrofit work involves (1) bolting the house to its foundation and (2) bracing, as necessary, the perimeter of the crawl space. They must ensure that the performed retrofit must meet or exceed the Chapter A3 requirements for both sill plate anchorage and cripple wall bracing (if cripple walls are present).
How much does a seismic retrofit cost in California? ›
What is the Average Cost for a Seismic Retrofit in California? On average, a common type of earthquake retrofit on homes with a raised foundation completed by a licensed contractor may cost on average between $3,000 and $7,000.
Is earthquake retrofit tax deductible in California? ›
There is no tax break in 2021 for residential seismic retrofits. However you can apply to receive a rebate on money you spent on that seismic retrofit from the California Earthquake Brace and Bolt program.
Is earthquake retrofitting worth it? ›
Why Retrofitting is Necessary? Properly retrofitted houses are made stronger against earthquake shaking and damage. This means your house is safer, and you've reduced the chance of injury or even death in a devastating earthquake. You have invested a lot of time and money into your older house.
What is the only way Californians can purchase earthquake coverage? ›
The California Earthquake Authority (CEA)
You cannot buy earthquake insurance directly from the CEA. But you can buy it from insurance companies that are members of CEA. Most companies in California that sell homeowners or renters insurance are members of CEA. A CEA company can only offer CEA policies.
How long does earthquake retrofit take? ›
On average, the entire project can last from 4 to 12 weeks, which includes receiving a homeowner's permit and plans, construction and finagling of the permit by the building permit.
Is a retrofit inspection required in California? ›
Point-of-sale retrofit inspections are mandated by the City of LA and County of LA, and certain other cities in Southern California, when both residential and non-residential properties change ownership (point-of-sale).
What is the difference between retrofit vs deep retrofit? ›
A retrofit involves smaller-scale improvements like adding insulation or upgrading heating systems to improve comfort and reduce energy usage. On the other hand, a deep retrofit represents a more comprehensive overhaul, including replacing windows and installing advanced heating systems for maximal energy efficiency.
Are brick houses safer in an earthquake? ›
Houses built of unreinforced masonry – bricks, hollow clay tiles, stone, concrete blocks, or adobe – are very likely to be damaged during earthquakes. The mortar holding the masonry together is generally not strong enough to resist earthquake forces. Anchorage of walls to the floor and the roof is critical.
For houses built since 2000, the average cost of a deep retrofit is around €25,000. However, if you have an older house with more complex features or a larger floor area, the cost could be €75,000 or more.
Is the California residential mitigation program legit? ›
About The California Residential Mitigation Program (CRMP)
Q: Is CRMP a state agency? No, CRMP is a joint powers authority formed by the California Earthquake Authority (CEA) and the Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) through a Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement (JPA).
What is the FEMA earthquake grant? ›
The FEMA National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) State Assistance Grant Program was created to increase and enhance the effective implementation of earthquake risk reduction at the local level. FEMA makes federal funds available annually through its NEHRP State Assistance Grant Program.
What are California grants? ›
The Cal Grant is a California-specific financial aid for students attending University of California, California State University or California Community College, or other qualifying schools. We don't administer state aid programs. Contact the Cal Grant program for more information and to answer questions.
