Preparing our buildings and infrastructure for earthquakes

Learn about the Concrete Building Safety Program

Ever since the Loma Prieta earthquake, San Francisco has been proactive about understanding and reducing our earthquake risk. For the past three years, the City has been developing a program focused on concrete and tilt-up buildings.Concrete Building Safety Program

Young woman wearing beige coat and white shirt holding a white cell phone.

Get the latest information on city emergencies

In an emergency, the City will share official updates and resources.

Stay safe during an earthquake

Learn what do do before, during, and after an earthquake.

Earthquake safety implementation program

Learn about the City's program to improve building safety.

City Programs and Reports

Strengthening privately-owned buildings

The Soft Story Retrofit program has strengthened almost 4,700 buildings. See if your building has already been retrofitted.
Some construction projects trigger seismic upgrading. Check the City's earthquake safety rules.
The Facade Inspection and Maintenance program checks that older building facades are secure.
The Concrete Building Safety Program compiles information about two building types with potential seismic risk.

Strengthening City-owned buildings

The 10-year Capital Plan identifies and plans for high priority capital investments, including seismic retrofits.
One way that San Francisco pays for upgrades to city-owned buildings and infrastructures is through bonds like the Public Works Emergency Safety and Emergency Response Bonds.

Programs to speed recovery

Building owners can prepare to quickly re-occupy their tall or complex building after an earthquake by participating in the Building Occupancy Resumption Program.
The San Francisco Lifelines Council convenes infrastructure providers to collaborate on bouncing back from earthquakes.

Reports on seismic safety

The Community Action Plan for Seismic Safety details San Francisco's earthquake risk and makes recommendations for how the City can become safer.
The Lifelines Restoration Performance Report highlights challenges for restoring utility services after a major earthquake.
The San Francisco Tall Buildings Safety Study evaluates seismic risk and considerations for San Francisco's tall buildings.
The Private Schools Evaluation program checked the structural safety of San Francisco's private schools.