Earthquake Retrofit Grants and Financing Options for Berkeley Property Owners
At-a-Glance: Retrofit Funding (as of August 2025)
Program Status Benefit Earthquake Brace + Bolt (EBB) (Statewide – CRMP) ✅ OPEN Up to $10,000 for pre-1980 raised-foundation homes Earthquake Soft-Story (ESS) (Statewide – CRMP) ❌ CLOSED Up to $13,000 for garage-under living space (subscribe for updates) Earthquake Multi-Unit Retrofit (EMR) (Statewide – CRMP) 🏗️ IN DEVELOPMENT For 5-10 unit multifamily buildings (details pending) City of Berkeley Retrofit Grants ✅ OPEN Up to $150,000 toward multifamily, mixed-use, or non-residential retrofits City of Berkeley Transfer Tax Refund ✅ OPEN Refund up to one-third of transfer tax if retrofit completed within 1 year of purchase
If you own a building in Berkeley that falls under the City’s mandatory retrofit requirements, you already know the cost of seismic upgrades can be substantial. Fortunately, several grants, rebates, and financing programs are available to help offset the expense. This article highlights the most widely used options, including a recent expansion of the Earthquake Brace + Bolt program, which may provide up to $10,000 in funding.
Earthquake Brace + Bolt (EBB)
The Earthquake Brace + Bolt (EBB) program offers grants to qualifying wood-frame homes with raised foundations constructed before 1980.
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Standard grant: Up to $3,000 toward a retrofit.
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New income-eligible supplement: Up to $7,000 additional funding for households earning $89,040 or less per year.
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Work covered: Bolting the home to its foundation, bracing cripple walls, and strapping the water heater.
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Selection: Homeowners register online and are chosen by lottery when the program window opens.
Registration is currently open. Learn more or sign up for notifications at EarthquakeBraceBolt.com.
Earthquake Soft-Story (ESS) Retrofit Program
ESS registration is currently closed. When open, the program provides reimbursement of up to 75% of retrofit costs, capped at $13,000, for certain owner-occupied, single-family homes built before 2000 with a soft-story living space over a garage.
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Eligibility: Homes must be located in Berkeley ZIP codes 94702–94710.
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Selection: Participants are chosen by random drawing.
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Requirements: Work must be done under permit and in compliance with FEMA P-1100 retrofit standards.
Subscribe for updates and learn more at California Residential Mitigation Program - sign up for updates.
Earthquake Multi-Unit Retrofit (EMR) Program
The Earthquake Multi-Unit Retrofit (EMR) program is a new state initiative under development for multifamily buildings with 5–10 units. While details are not yet finalized, owners can subscribe through CRMP’s website to receive updates when the program becomes available.
City of Berkeley Retrofit Grants (Local program, not part of CRMP)
For multifamily (3+ units), mixed-use, and non-residential properties, Berkeley offers a grant program that reimburses a portion of design and construction costs:
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Up to 75% of design costs, capped at $5,000 or $10,000, depending on building type.
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Up to 40% of construction costs, capped at $150,000.
Applicants must submit photos and undergo FEMA’s historic preservation review.
Transfer Tax Refunds
If you recently purchased a residential or mixed-use building, you may be eligible for a refund of up to one-third of the transfer tax paid if seismic work is completed within one year of purchase.
This refund can be combined with other funding sources, such as EBB or the City’s Retrofit Grants Program, to reduce overall costs.
Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Financing
Property owners may also finance seismic retrofits through PACE financing. These are long-term, fixed-cost loans that are repaid through property tax bills.
PACE can be used in combination with retrofit grants or transfer tax refunds, though eligibility varies by provider. Some well-known providers include AllianceNRG, FortiFi, Dividend, Ygrene, and CleanFund.
Putting It All Together
Retrofits are a significant investment, but between grants, refunds, and financing, property owners have more tools than ever to manage the cost.
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Smaller properties (1–4 units, owner-occupied): may benefit most from EBB and ESS.
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Larger multifamily and commercial buildings: may qualify for the City’s Retrofit Grants.
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Recent buyers: can stack transfer tax refunds with other programs.
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PACE financing: remains a flexible option for owners with equity.
📖 Be sure also to review our companion article, Mandatory Earthquake Retrofits in Berkeley: What Rental Housing Providers Need to Know, to confirm whether your property is subject to the City’s seismic retrofit requirements.