Do newer homes need seismic reinforcement?
Modern building codes have been written so that newer homes usually don’t need to be seismically reinforced if they were properly constructed. However, builders sometimes do not understand provisions of the code that are specific to earthquake reinforcement and neglect to follow these aspects of the building code. Special hardware has been developed to add greater strength to newer homes and compensate for possible builder’s oversights. Usually retrofits of newer homes are simple and inexpensive.
