SF Permits MCP Server

{
  "metadata": {
    "title": "Earthquake Brace+Bolt (EBB) Retrofit Program",
    "source": "DBI-IS-S09 Earthquake Brace+Bolt (Revised 08/23/2019)",
    "source_url": "https://sf.gov/resource/2022/information-sheets-dbi",
    "related_sources": [
      "CEBC Appendix Chapter A3 (Prescriptive Cripple Wall Bracing)",
      "AB-108 Administrative Bulletin (referenced in S-09)",
      "FEMA P-1100 Vulnerability-Based Seismic Assessment (ASCE 41-17)",
      "G-01 Signature on Plans (licensing requirements)"
    ],
    "last_verified": "2026-02-14",
    "confidence": "high"
  },

  "program_overview": {
    "name": "Earthquake Brace+Bolt (EBB)",
    "description": "Incentive-based seismic retrofit program for older wood-frame houses with cripple wall foundations. Provides up to $3,000 reimbursement for qualifying retrofits.",
    "administering_body": "California Residential Mitigation Program (CRMP)",
    "website": "https://www.earthquakebracebolt.com",
    "target_buildings": {
      "construction_type": "Wood-frame residential (single-family, 1-4 units)",
      "era": "Built before 1979",
      "foundation_type": "Cripple wall (short stud wall between foundation and first floor)",
      "cripple_wall_height": "4 feet or less",
      "stories": "1-2 stories"
    },
    "reimbursement": {
      "amount": "Up to $3,000",
      "conditions": [
        "Must be in an eligible ZIP code (published annually by CRMP)",
        "Must complete work within program timeline",
        "Must use a registered EBB contractor or be registered as owner-builder",
        "Must follow CEBC Appendix A3 prescriptive design OR engineered design"
      ]
    }
  },

  "permit_pathway": {
    "review_type": "OTC (Over-the-Counter) with plans",
    "review_type_note": "Prescriptive CEBC A3 retrofits are eligible for OTC review at DBI counter. Engineered designs may require in-house review.",
    "form": "Form 8 (OTC Alterations)",
    "permit_fee": "Per Table 1A-A based on construction valuation (typically $5,000-$15,000 range)",
    "licensed_professional_required": false,
    "licensing_note": "Per G-01 Status I, prescriptive EBB retrofits do NOT require a licensed architect or engineer — plans may be prepared by the homeowner, contractor, or unlicensed designer. However, engineered designs require a CA-licensed civil or structural engineer.",
    "application_description": "Application must explicitly state: 'Seismic retrofit per CEBC Appendix Chapter A3 prescriptive provisions' to qualify for OTC pathway. Generic descriptions like 'foundation work' may route to in-house review."
  },

  "plan_requirements": {
    "sheet_size": "11×17 minimum",
    "required_elements": [
      {
        "element": "Site plan",
        "details": "Show property lines, building footprint, setbacks, and north arrow"
      },
      {
        "element": "Foundation plan",
        "details": "Show all foundation walls with dimensions. Identify existing cripple walls to be braced. Show location and extent of new plywood sheathing, anchor bolts, and foundation plate connectors."
      },
      {
        "element": "Cripple wall elevations",
        "details": "Show each cripple wall with dimensions — height, length, openings. Show plywood sheathing extent, nailing pattern, framing connectors, and ventilation openings to remain."
      },
      {
        "element": "Anchor bolt schedule",
        "details": "Show type (expansion or adhesive), size (typically 1/2\" or 5/8\"), spacing, edge distance, and embedment depth per CEBC A3"
      },
      {
        "element": "Foundation plate connector details",
        "details": "Show connector type (UFP10, A35, or equivalent), spacing, and fastener schedule per CEBC A3 Table A3-2"
      },
      {
        "element": "Plywood sheathing details",
        "details": "Show panel thickness (minimum 15/32\" Structural I), nailing pattern (4\" edges / 12\" field minimum per CEBC A3), and blocking at panel edges"
      },
      {
        "element": "Wall percentage calculations",
        "details": "Show braced wall percentage per CEBC A3 Table A3-1 — typically 80% of each cripple wall line must be sheathed"
      },
      {
        "element": "Existing conditions photos",
        "details": "Recommended: photos of existing cripple walls, foundation, and mudsill condition"
      }
    ],
    "cebc_a3_reference": {
      "table_a3_1": "Minimum bracing requirements — percent of cripple wall to be sheathed based on building weight and wall height",
      "table_a3_2": "Foundation sill plate connector schedule — type, spacing, and fasteners",
      "table_a3_3": "Anchor bolt requirements — size, spacing, edge distance by wall height"
    }
  },

  "scope_of_work": {
    "standard_ebb_retrofit_includes": [
      "Install anchor bolts connecting mudsill to concrete foundation (expansion or adhesive)",
      "Install foundation plate connectors (UFP10, A35, or equivalent) connecting cripple wall studs to mudsill",
      "Install structural plywood sheathing on cripple walls (Structural I, 15/32\" minimum)",
      "Install blocking between cripple wall studs at plywood panel edges",
      "Nailing per CEBC A3 schedule (typically 8d nails at 4\" o.c. edges, 12\" o.c. field)",
      "Maintain or replace ventilation openings per IRC requirements"
    ],
    "common_additions": [
      "Water heater strapping (required by code, often done simultaneously)",
      "Cripple wall stud replacement (if existing studs are damaged or inadequate)",
      "Mudsill replacement (if existing mudsill is deteriorated)",
      "Garage opening strengthening (if cripple wall contains garage door opening)"
    ],
    "out_of_scope": [
      "Foundation replacement or underpinning (requires engineered design + in-house review)",
      "Structural work above first floor (requires licensed engineer)",
      "Chimney bracing (separate scope, may be combined)",
      "Soft-story retrofit per AB-094/106 (different program, multi-unit buildings)"
    ]
  },

  "inspection_requirements": {
    "inspections": [
      {
        "type": "Foundation / anchor bolt inspection",
        "timing": "After anchor bolts installed, before covering",
        "what_inspector_checks": ["Bolt type and size per plan", "Spacing per CEBC A3", "Edge distance", "Embedment depth", "Mudsill condition"]
      },
      {
        "type": "Framing / sheathing inspection",
        "timing": "After plywood and connectors installed, before covering",
        "what_inspector_checks": ["Plywood grade and thickness", "Nailing pattern", "Blocking at panel edges", "Foundation plate connectors", "Ventilation maintained"]
      },
      {
        "type": "Final inspection",
        "timing": "After all work complete",
        "what_inspector_checks": ["Completion per approved plans", "No outstanding corrections"]
      }
    ]
  },

  "relationship_to_other_programs": {
    "soft_story_program": {
      "program": "Mandatory Soft-Story Retrofit (AB-094/106)",
      "distinction": "Soft-story program targets multi-unit buildings (5+ units typically) with weak ground floors. EBB targets 1-4 unit wood-frame with cripple walls. Different scope, different requirements.",
      "overlap": "Some single-family homes may be in soft-story program zones but qualify for EBB instead if they have cripple walls ≤4ft"
    },
    "urm_retrofit": {
      "program": "Unreinforced Masonry (URM) Retrofit",
      "distinction": "URM program targets brick/stone buildings. EBB is wood-frame only."
    },
    "ab_108": {
      "bulletin": "AB-108",
      "purpose": "Referenced in S-09 — administrative bulletin providing additional DBI guidance for EBB retrofits in San Francisco"
    }
  },

  "cost_estimates": {
    "typical_range": "$3,000-$10,000",
    "factors_affecting_cost": [
      "Linear feet of cripple wall to brace",
      "Access difficulty (crawl space height, obstructions)",
      "Condition of existing mudsill and foundation",
      "Number of anchor bolts needed",
      "Whether additional work is needed (stud replacement, mudsill repair)"
    ],
    "ebb_reimbursement": "Up to $3,000 — homeowner pays remainder",
    "permit_fee_estimate": "$200-$500 typically (based on construction valuation via Table 1A-A)"
  },

  "common_issues": [
    {
      "id": "EBB-01",
      "issue": "Plans don't show wall percentage calculations per CEBC A3 Table A3-1",
      "fix": "Add calculation showing total cripple wall length, braced length, and percentage for each wall line"
    },
    {
      "id": "EBB-02",
      "issue": "Anchor bolt spacing or edge distance doesn't meet CEBC A3",
      "fix": "Verify anchor bolt schedule against CEBC A3 Table A3-3. Minimum edge distance is typically 1-3/4\" for 1/2\" bolts"
    },
    {
      "id": "EBB-03",
      "issue": "Nailing pattern not specified or inadequate",
      "fix": "Specify 8d nails at 4\" o.c. at panel edges and 12\" o.c. at intermediate supports per CEBC A3"
    },
    {
      "id": "EBB-04",
      "issue": "Ventilation openings blocked by new plywood",
      "fix": "Show ventilation openings on plan — IRC requires 1 sqft per 150 sqft of crawl space. Cut plywood around vents or provide alternate ventilation."
    },
    {
      "id": "EBB-05",
      "issue": "Existing mudsill deteriorated — plans don't address",
      "fix": "If mudsill is damaged, plan must show replacement method. Pressure-treated lumber required for replacement mudsill."
    }
  ],

  "tool_integration": {
    "predict_permits_keywords": ["brace and bolt", "cripple wall", "foundation bolting", "ebb", "earthquake brace", "seismic retrofit residential"],
    "review_path": "OTC with plans (prescriptive CEBC A3) or in-house (engineered design)",
    "signature_requirement": "G-01 Status I exempt (prescriptive) or Status III (engineered)",
    "fee_calculation": "Table 1A-A alterations category based on construction valuation"
  }
}