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If you own a home in California with a raised foundation, this post is for you. The California Earthquake Brace and Bolt program can pay for most of the cost of retrofitting your old foundation to make it resistant to earthquakes. It’s a California Earthquake Authority backed program that is designed to proactively protect older homes before a large earthquake hits. There’s no income requirement and it’s open to both rental properties and primary residences.
I just finished my retrofit last year using this program and it was super easy. It took me no more than 30 minutes of work, and EBB paid for $3,000 of the $4,250 retrofit. The contractor I hired pulled the permits with the city, completed the work, and coordinated all of the paperwork. I never had to make a phone call, drive to City Hall, or talk to a city inspector. If you’re eligible for this program, I highly recommend it. While your total out-of-pocket cost will vary based on the home, you can expect to pay between $1,000-$3,000.
Do I Qualify?
To be eligible, you must:
Own the property (rental property counts).
Be located in an eligible ZIP code.
Not have completed the retrofit already.
Note: - No income requirement for the base grant! A supplemental grant may be available for owner-occupied properties for households with an annual income at or below $89,040.
Does My House Qualify?
Only certain homes qualify for the Earthquake Brace and Bolt program. Your home likely qualifies if:
It was built before 1980,
Sits on level ground
Has a raised foundation with a continuous perimeter concrete foundation.
If your home has a crawl space, it likely qualifies. If you’re unsure what kind of foundation you have, look at the outside of your home and look for crawl space vents or access points. If you see an access point, your home has a crawl space.
If you see this on your home, it's on a raised foundation.
How Do I Apply?
Applying for the EBB program is very easy.
Go to EarthquakeBraceBolt.com before October 17, 2025. (If you miss the deadline, it will open up again next year).
Click “Register Now”
Enter your information to create your account.
Important: If you pull a permit or start the work before acceptance, this may make you ineligible for reimbursement.
It’s a very easy registration process that should take no more than 5 minutes. Once you register, you are placed on a waitlist for the grant. The waitlist is pretty fast and you will more than likely receive your acceptance email in the next six months.
Once you are accepted for the grant, you need to select a contractor to complete the work. You can use the contractor directory to find one near you, or you can use the contractor I used. His name is Tim Sparks at Earthquake Bracing Incorporated and I was very happy with his work. His email address is timothygalesparks@gmail.com and phone number (760) 221-3664. Tim pulls the permit with the city and coordinates all of the repairs. Note: - Mesa has no business affiliation with Tim and we do not get any kickbacks from him.
What If My Home is Managed By Mesa?
If your home is managed by Mesa, we cannot fill out the application for you because the EBB requires the homeowner to initiate the process. Once you’ve been approved for the grant, please send an email to your property manager and CC timothygalesparks@gmail.com. Once you do this, we’ll facilitate scheduling and payments.
After the Work Is Completed
Seismic retrofits are excluded from reassessment, but you must file BOE-64 with your county assessor’s office to claim the exclusion. Mail in the form within 30 days of the project being completed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the Earthquake Brace + Bolt (EBB) program?
It’s a California state grant that helps homeowners pay for seismic retrofits on older homes with raised foundations. The grant covers up to $3,000, with extra funds available for low-income households.
How much does an earthquake retrofit cost?
Most retrofits cost $4,000–$6,000. With the $3,000 grant, homeowners usually pay about $1,000–$3,000 out of pocket.
Does my home qualify?
Your home likely qualifies if it was built before 1980, has a raised foundation with a continuous concrete perimeter, and sits on level ground. Homes with crawl spaces are usually eligible.
Can rental properties qualify for EBB?
Yes. Both owner-occupied and rental properties can qualify, up to five properties per owner.
Can I start the work before I’m accepted?
No. If you pull a permit or start construction before official acceptance, your project may be ineligible for reimbursement.
Will a retrofit increase my property taxes?
No. Seismic retrofits are excluded from property tax reassessment in California. Homeowners should file Form BOE-64 with their county assessor to claim the exemption.
How do I apply?
Register at EarthquakeBraceBolt.com during the open enrollment period.
