SECTIONS 8897 - California Statutes

GOVERNMENT CODE

SECTION 8897

8897. (a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(1) There exists a serious threat to homes in the State of
California from damage during earthquakes. Over 23,000 homes were
damaged or destroyed during the Loma Prieta earthquake of October 17,
1989, due to the lack of adequate foundation anchoring or as a
result of cripple wall failure.
(2) The building codes used in the State of California did not
require homes to be bolted to their foundations until on or about
1949, and some of California's local jurisdictions did not enforce
the anchor bolting requirements until as late as 1958.
(3) There are approximately 1,200,000 homes in the State of
California which may not be bolted or anchored to their foundations
or do not have adequate cripple wall bracing.
(4) There also exists a serious threat of gas leaks followed by
fire and explosion from water heaters that overturn, damaging the
plumbing or electrical wiring during an earthquake due to the lack of
adequate anchoring, strapping, or bracing.
(b) Therefore, it is the goal of the Legislature to ensure that
all homes be anchored to their foundations, have adequately braced
cripple walls, and have the water heaters braced, strapped, or
anchored, and that deficiencies be disclosed by the seller to
prospective buyers.
(c) The Legislature finds and declares that the disclosure of
earthquake deficiencies should provide a prospective buyer with
information on the possible vulnerability of the dwelling being
purchased. It is the intent of the Legislature that the seller be
able to complete the report without having to consult with any design
professional.