Learn About Our Earthquake Retrofit Programs

Our retrofit grant programs

Does your house have a living space built over the garage? Does it sit on a raised foundation, with a crawlspace underneath your first floor? While both types of houses are common, often they lack structural soundness and are not strong enough to withstand shaking—making them vulnerable to damage or destruction from an earthquake. The California Residential Mitigation Program offers grants to retrofit these specific types of homes through our Earthquake Soft-Story (ESS) and Earthquake Brace + Bolt (EBB) retrofit grant programs.

Learn More About Our Retrofit Programs
Image: House with Room over garage. California Residential Mitigation Program offers grants to retrofit specific types of homes.
Is Your House Vulnerable?

Do You Need a Seismic Retrofit?

Most Californians live within 30 miles of an active earthquake fault. And certain types of older houses—including those built on a raised foundation, those with a living space above a garage, and those on a post and pier foundation, are more vulnerable to damage from an earthquake. Learn more about structural risks and how to strengthen your house to protect you and your family. 

Find My Home Type

Retrofit Q&As

What is a seismic retrofit?

If your home was built before 2000, it may be more vulnerable to earthquake damage. A retrofit, sometimes called a seismic retrofit, involves strengthening your house to make it more resistant to earthquakes. Completing a retrofit reduces damage, improves personal safety for you and your family, and protects financial security as well. Get prepared and worry less. Build a stronger tomorrow by strengthening your house today. Discover more details about retrofitting with our FAQs.  

Retrofit FAQs
Image: Female construction worker
Get Prepared. Worry Less.

Earthquake Risk in California Be Prepared

We all know California is earthquake country. In fact, there is a 99% chance that a major earthquake will strike California within the next 30 years.* Learn to be safe, such as how to create an emergency plan and kit for your family, and how to react during an earthquake. And, find contractors and retrofit guidelines to help you get started in strengthening your home against earthquakes.

*According to the third Uniform California Earthquake Rupture Forecast (UCERF3) report.

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Meet your partners in home preparedness

Formed in August 2011, the California Residential Mitigation Program (CRMP) was established to help California homeowners who wish to complete seismic retrofits of their houses. Our goal is to provide seismic retrofit grants to select homeowners, and information on seismic retrofitting to all, to help create a stronger and more resilient California.

Recent California Earthquake Activity
M 2.9
4 km ENE of Stovepipe Wells, CA
Time
Wednesday, November 6, 2024
3:09 PM
Location
36.614°N 117.11°W
Depth
0.01 km(0.01 mi)

Details of the Earthquake 4 km ENE of Stovepipe Wells, CA

M 2.7
2 km NE of Stovepipe Wells, CA
Time
Wednesday, November 6, 2024
9:54 AM
Location
36.617°N 117.13°W
Depth
8.49 km(5.28 mi)

Details of the Earthquake 2 km NE of Stovepipe Wells, CA

M 3.0
8 km SSE of San Clemente Is. (SE tip), CA
Time
Wednesday, November 6, 2024
8:17 AM
Location
32.755°N 118.313°W
Depth
-0.21 km(-0.13 mi)

Details of the Earthquake 8 km SSE of San Clemente Is. (SE tip), CA

M 2.6
9 km WNW of Petrolia, CA
Time
Tuesday, November 5, 2024
11:55 PM
Location
40.347°N 124.385°W
Depth
16.26 km(10.1 mi)

Details of the Earthquake 9 km WNW of Petrolia, CA

M 3.1
19 km N of Shelter Cove, CA
Time
Tuesday, November 5, 2024
7:34 PM
Location
40.202°N 124.113°W
Depth
12.37 km(7.69 mi)

Details of the Earthquake 19 km N of Shelter Cove, CA

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