Seismic Upgrades

Older buildings, especially those built before 1980, are unlikely to withstand a large earthquake. You can reinforce buildings easily and inexpensively.

Lobby closed for In-person Services on Memorial Day

Building Services, Development Review/Current Planning and Long Range Planning will be closed May 25, 2026.

Washington County does not require building permits or inspections for seismic upgrades, though we will issue voluntary residential seismic upgrades on request. This provides documentation of resilience analysis and installation of seismic-resistive devices.

Find a contractor, engineer, or architect:

State of Oregon Construction Contractors Board
Structural Engineers Association of Oregon (SEAO)

Additional information:

Washington County Emergency Management Cooperative
FEMA Earthquake Safety at Home (2020)
FEMA: Protecting Your Property from Earthquakes: Brace Cripple Walls