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EMR Program Rules

Image: Man on laptop - CRMP Program Rules

In order to participate in the Earthquake Multi-Unit Retrofit Program (EMR), building owners, contractors, and design professionals are required to agree to and follow the EMR Program Rules and Terms of Use.

EMR Program Rules Highlights

A summary of the Program Rules is included below.

Building Owners

 

Eligibility & Application:
  • The EMR Program is for owners of multi-unit (5–10 units) wood-frame residential buildings built before January 1, 1991, with a soft, weak, or open front (SWOF) deficiency, located in eligible California cities.
  • Owners must register during the open registration period on the CRMP website. When accepted to the program building owner must provide proof of ownership, a city-issued notice and order to retrofit, and other documentation.
  • Only buildings listed in cities with mandatory soft-story retrofit ordinances are eligible.
Incentive Payments:
  • Up to 70% of engineering and permit fees (max $7,000) and 70% of retrofit costs (max $4,260 per unit) are covered, paid after project completion and documentation.
  • Owners are responsible for costs exceeding the incentive payment.
Process & Documentation:
  • No engineering or construction work may begin before formal FEMA and CRMP approval.
  • Owners must use contractors listed in the EMR Contractor Directory and in good standing with the California Contractors State License Board.
  • Required documentation includes bids, permits, approved construction documents, pre- and post-retrofit photos with a date stamp, and final invoices.
  • All documentation is submitted via the online Property Owner Dashboard.
Timelines:
  • After acceptance, owners have 120 days to submit pre-retrofit documentation.
  • EMR photos and documents will be forwarded to FEMA for review. After receiving approval from FEMA, the CRMP Team will inform you that your retrofit may begin. You will have 270 days from that day to complete the retrofit. 
  • No actual construction work can be completed prior to notification to proceed from CRMP. Work completed prior to CRMP notification to proceed will result in a withdrawal from the Program and the building becoming ineligible for the incentive payment. 
Other Key Points:
  • Owners must notify and obtain agreement from all co-owners.
  • Incentive payments are grants, not loans, but may have tax implications—owners should seek professional advice.
  • Owners are responsible for compliance with all program rules and may be subject to recoupment of funds for non-compliance.
  • If your building is in a FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Area, you will need to submit a signed, notarized, and recorded Special Flood Hazard Area Conditions form, and a copy of your flood insurance policy, to CRMP before an EMR grant payment is made.

Example: A building owner in Los Angeles with a 6-unit wood-frame apartment built in 1985, who receives a notice and order from the city to complete a soft-story retrofit, can apply for EMR, submit all required documents, and—if approved—receive up to 70% of eligible costs reimbursed after successful completion and inspection.

Contractors

Eligibility & Directory Listing:
  • Contractors must be California licensed general contractors (Type A or B) in good standing and listed in the EMR Contractor Directory.
  • Contractors must complete the EMR mandatory orientation and quiz.
  • Contractors must register and maintain an account on the CRMP Contractor Dashboard.
Requirements:
  • All EMR retrofit work must comply with program rules and be performed by or overseen by personnel who have completed the EMR orientation.
  • Invoices must only include EMR retrofit work and detail labor, materials, overhead, and profit.
  • Permits must be solely for seismic retrofit work and reference the design professional’s documents.
  • Contractors must maintain current licenses, bonds, and workers’ compensation insurance.
Conduct & Removal:
  • Contractors may not claim endorsement or approval by CRMP in marketing materials.
  • Failure to comply with program rules or misrepresentation may result in removal from the directory.

Example: A contractor wishing to participate must ensure their license is current, complete the EMR orientation, register on the CRMP website, and provide detailed, compliant invoices for each EMR project.

 

For Design Professionals (Engineers and Architects)

For Design Professionals (engineers and architects) these include but are not limited to the following:

Eligibility & Directory Listing:
  • Must be licensed civil or structural engineers or architects in California. 
Requirements:
  • All plans, designs, and letters must comply with EMR Program Rules.
  • Engineered plans must comply with one of the following standards: FEMA P-807, IEBC Chapter A4 (Latest edition), or ASCE 41 (Latest edition).
  • Must complete, stamp, and sign the EMR Seismic Design Criteria (SDC) Form, affirming compliance with program requirements.
  • Maintain an active California license and not be barred from public works contracts.
Conduct & Removal:
  • Must provide good workmanship, reasonable pricing, and comply with all program rules.

CRMP has no obligation to maintain, keep current, or monitor licensing, financial condition, contracts, or competence of any Contractor or Design Professional listed on any directory or any other Contractor or Design Professional hired by a Participating Building Owner.