Compliance With Seismic Codes

California seismic building codes apply to all existing buildings with at least one masonry bearing wall that is not reinforced. With the recent devastation in Japan all earthquake sensitive zones may need to turn to revision of the earthquake engineering codes that are are in place. California has very stringent codes that must be complied with in order to me such strict standards.There are some exceptions for buildings in particular occupancy categories. There are also earthquake resistant requirements in the California Building Code for new buildings. 

The California Safety Commission Codes are some of the strictest in in the world.