Registration is closed right now. Don't miss the next window.
Status (checked October 15, 2026): closed. The last Earthquake Brace + Bolt window ran August 20 to October 17, 2025. CRMP hasn't announced the next one; it says registration is "typically offered annually or as funding is available." Windows can be short, and late registrations are not accepted.
Two free ways to hear first: sign up for CRMP's official email updates, and/or leave your email here and we'll send you a plain reminder when registration reopens (and one before it closes), with the 5-minute checklist so you're ready on day one.
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Free guide: the EBB grant, step by step
Hiring someone? Read how to choose an earthquake retrofit contractor first (directory rule, license check, permits, red flags).
- Check your ZIP. Only listed ZIP codes qualify. Search yours on the official EBB/CRMP site.
- Sign up for alerts. Registration is closed as of October 15, 2026 and opens for a limited time when funded (get a reminder). Early or late registrations are not accepted, so get the official email alert.
- Register when it opens. Answer the official qualification questions online (have your email handy for a confirmation code). Registering does not guarantee acceptance.
- Income $94,480 or less? Say so when registering. If accepted, return the Income Verification Form within 30 days to be considered for the Supplemental Grant (first-come, first-served; in San Diego up to $2,650 for brace-and-bolt or $1,125 for bolt-only).
- Don't start work early. No retrofit may begin before the program approves construction. Work started before acceptance can disqualify the house.
- Hire from the official Contractor Directory (or do it yourself as an owner-builder). Directory contractors are California-licensed and FEMA-trained.
- Get a permit, do the work, pass inspection. The work must follow California Existing Building Code, Chapter A3: bolt the house to the foundation, brace cripple walls if present, and strap the water heater.
- Submit your paperwork through your EBB homeowner dashboard to get paid.
Before you call anyone: a 5-minute crawlspace checklist
- Year built (on your property tax bill or county assessor record).
- Is there a crawlspace hatch? Take 3–4 photos with flash.
- Can you see short wood stud walls between the concrete and the floor? Roughly how tall?
- Any visible bolts or metal plates along the foundation already?
- Any cracks or past damage? (Damage must be repaired first; EBB pays for prevention, not repair.)
- Is the water heater strapped?
Typical cost of an EBB retrofit by a licensed contractor: $3,000–$7,000, depending on house size and work needed (source: EBB). Chimney work is not covered.
Optional: get up to 3 quotes from vetted, licensed retrofit contractors
Want a free estimate (many contractors also confirm whether your house qualifies)? Tell us a little about the house and we'll share it with up to 3 San Diego contractors we've checked. Totally optional: the checker and guide above are free either way.
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Last updated October 15, 2026. Prices are published ranges, not quotes.
How much is the Earthquake Brace + Bolt grant?
The EBB program pays up to $3,000 toward a qualifying retrofit of a raised-foundation house. Income-eligible San Diego households can also get a supplemental grant of up to $2,650 for brace-and-bolt or $1,125 for bolt-only. The larger $7,000 supplemental figure applies only in Northern California.
Source: Earthquake Brace + Bolt
How much does an earthquake retrofit cost?
Angi and HomeAdvisor report typical earthquake retrofit costs of about $3,489 to $8,676, with an average near $6,082. A simple brace-and-bolt job on a short crawlspace usually lands at the low end, and the EBB grant can cover a large share. Get written quotes from licensed contractors.
Source: Angi
Can I apply for the EBB grant right now?
Not today. Registration is closed as of October 15, 2026. The last window ran August 20 to October 17, 2025. Use the free checker to see whether your house likely qualifies, and leave your email for a reminder when registration reopens, so you can apply on the first day.
Source: Earthquake Brace + Bolt
Questions
How much is the grant?
Up to $3,000 toward a code-compliant retrofit. Owner-occupants earning $94,480 a year or less can also apply for a Supplemental Grant while funds last. In Southern California, including San Diego, that is up to $2,650 more for a brace-and-bolt retrofit or $1,125 for bolt-only (CRMP Supplemental Grant rules). The larger $7,000 supplement you may see online applies to Northern California ZIP codes.
Who qualifies?
A detached wood-frame house (1–4 units) built before 1980, on a continuous raised-perimeter foundation, on level or low-slope ground, in an EBB ZIP code, with no brace-and-bolt retrofit already started or done and no earlier retrofit grant on the parcel. You must be an owner on the deed and live there as your main home.
My cripple walls are taller than 4 feet.
Taller cripple walls usually need plans from a licensed design professional (engineer or architect). Check the EBB rules for that path.
Is registration open now?
No, not as of October 15, 2026. The last window ran August 20 to October 17, 2025. CRMP says registration is typically offered annually or as funding is available, and hasn't announced a date. Get a reminder when it reopens.
Are you the official program?
No. We're an independent free guide, not affiliated with CEA, CRMP or Earthquake Brace + Bolt. Registering with EBB is free and you can do it directly.
Sources
- CRMP: The EBB Retrofit + FAQs (grant amounts, $94,480 income limit, cost range, retrofit types)
- EBB Program Rules, effective September 14, 2026 (eligible applicants, qualifying houses, last registration window Aug 20 to Oct 17, 2025)
- EBB Supplemental Grant Rules, January 28, 2026 (SoCal caps: $2,650 brace-and-bolt, $1,125 bolt-only; $94,480 income limit)
- CRMP: How to register (registration "typically offered annually or as funding is available"; official email alerts)
- CRMP: EBB Qualification Questions
- CRMP: Southern California EBB ZIP list (2025 edition). Always confirm your ZIP with the live search on the official site.
Last checked: October 15, 2026.