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California · Gov. Code §§8897.1–8897.5California earthquake hazards disclosure: the Homeowner's Guide and the seven deficiencies for pre-1960 homes

The seller of real property with a residential dwelling built before January 1, 1960, with one to four units of conventional light-frame construction, must deliver a copy of the Homeowner's Guide to Earthquake Safety to the buyer and complete the earthquake hazards disclosure, as soon as practicable before transfer of title (Cal. Gov. Code §8897.1(a)–(b)). The disclosure covers deficiencies within the seller's actual knowledge and material to the transaction: no anchor bolts securing the sill plate to the foundation; unbraced perimeter cripple walls; unbraced first-story walls; an unreinforced masonry perimeter foundation; unreinforced masonry dwelling walls; a habitable room above a garage; and an unanchored, unstrapped or unbraced water heater – plus known corrective measures (§8897.2). Court-ordered, foreclosure, fiduciary and certain other transfers are exempt (§8897.1(c)). A transfer isn't invalidated for non-compliance (§8897.4), and the real estate licensee's duty is limited to giving the seller a copy of the Guide for delivery to the buyer (§8897.5).

The rules

  1. 1. Which homes (§8897.1(a))

    Built before 1960; one to four units; conventional light-frame construction.

  2. 2. What to deliver (§8897.1(a))

    Homeowner's Guide to Earthquake Safety plus the earthquake hazards disclosure.

  3. 3. Deficiencies (§8897.2)

    Anchor bolts, cripple walls, first-story walls, masonry foundation or walls, room over garage, water heater.

  4. 4. Exemptions (§8897.1(c))

    Court-ordered, foreclosure and fiduciary transfers, among others.

What the TC can do

  • Check the year built – before 1960 triggers the Guide and the disclosure.
  • Get the Guide to the seller early and track the signed disclosure as a task.
  • Keep proof of delivery to the buyer before closing.

Questions about California earthquake disclosures

Which California homes need the earthquake hazards disclosure?

One-to-four unit dwellings of conventional light-frame construction built before January 1, 1960 (Cal. Gov. Code §8897.1(a)).

What does the agent have to do about the earthquake guide?

Give the seller a copy of the Homeowner's Guide to Earthquake Safety for delivery to the buyer (§8897.5).

Related guides

Add a task in ClosingCode for the earthquake guide and disclosure, with an owner and a due date.

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Source: California Government Code §§8897.1–8897.5 (leginfo.legislature.ca.gov, read October 26, 2026).

General information, not legal advice. ClosingCode is software; it is not a law firm or brokerage. This guide is not a substitute for the advice or services of an attorney.