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<br /> Hazard Mitigation Plan | 2022 <br />Earthquake Hazards <br />- 68 - <br /> <br />Structures and Building Code <br />The built environment is susceptible to damage from earthquakes. Buildings that collapse can <br />trap and bury people. Lives are at risk, and the cost to clean up the damages is great. In most <br />California communities, including the City of Santa Ana, many buildings were built before 1973 <br />when building codes were not as strict. In addition, retrofitting is not required except under certain <br />conditions and can be expensive. Therefore, the number of buildings at risk remains high. <br />Perhaps at greatest risk are the unreinforced masonry buildings. The California Seismic Safety <br />Commission makes annual reports on the progress of the retrofitting of unreinforced masonry <br />buildings. According to the State of California’s 2006 URM Report, all URM buildings within the <br />City have been identified and upgraded to meet local municipal requirements. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Implementation of earthquake mitigation policy most often takes place at the local government <br />level. The City of Santa Ana Planning and Building Department enforces building codes <br />pertaining to earthquake hazards. <br /> <br />Additionally, the City has implemented basic building requirements that are above and beyond <br />what the State demands for hazard mitigation. Newly constructed buildings in Santa Ana that are <br />built in an area subject to earthquake-induced landslide or liquefaction are typically built with extra <br />foundation support. Such support is found in the post-tension reinforced concrete foundation; this <br />same technique is used by coastal cities to prevent home destruction during cases of liquefaction. <br /> <br />Generally, these codes seek to discourage development in areas that could be prone to flooding, <br />landslide, wildfire and/or seismic hazards; and where development is permitted, that the <br />applicable construction standards are met. Developers in hazard-prone areas may be required <br />to retain a qualified professional engineer to evaluate level of risk on the site and recommend <br />appropriate mitigation measures. <br />