Maya and Harrison walk through the earthquake safety requirements California sets for homes: what the 2025 building code, water heater bracing law, seller disclosures and the Los Angeles soft-story program require, plus retrofit grants, based on the Seismic Safety Commission's Homeowner's Guide to Earthquake Safety, CRMP, LADBS and the California Earthquake Authority (figures checked October 2026).

• The 2025 California Building Standards Code (Title 24) took effect on January 1, 2026.
• Every residential water heater must be braced, anchored or strapped, and sellers must certify it in writing.
• Sellers of pre-1960 homes with one to four units must give buyers the Homeowner's Guide to Earthquake Safety; no statewide law requires a retrofit before a sale.
• LA's soft-story program covers older wood-frame buildings with ground-floor parking, not residential buildings with three or fewer units.
• Earthquake Brace + Bolt offers up to $3,000, plus up to $7,000 more for income-eligible households; CEA offers up to a 25% premium discount for retrofitted pre-1980 houses.

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General information only; confirm each point with your local building department.

Blog Link: https://calabuilders.com/earthquake-safety-requirements-for-california-homes-explained/

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