In California, your water heater must be anchored.
If you are installing a new water heater in your home in California, state law requires you to anchor it or brace it to a wall to prevent it from falling and causing damage in the even of an earthquake. If a water heater were to fall, it could break open, flooding your home and causing major water damage. It could also sever the gas and water lines to which it is connected, which could cause a fire.
Strap Requirement
California Health and Safety Code Section 19211 requires that your water heater be anchored or strapped to a wall for support to prevent it from falling during an earthquake. All new and replacement water heaters must follow this law. You can buy do-it-yourself bracing kits from your local hardware store. Be sure that your kit bears the Division of the State Architect's stamp of approval on its packaging. This stamp confirms that it fulfills the state's legal requirements. The kit will only cost you about $20, whereas a fallen water heater could cost you thousands of dollars in repairs and damage.
Selling Your Home
If you are selling your house, California Civil Code Section 1102 requires you to disclose certain "earthquake weaknesses," or things that could cause damage to the property in the event of an earthquake. You must tell the buyer if your water heater is not anchored. Your real estate agent must supply you with information related to the disclosures you must make.
Local Law
The California Legislature made it mandatory for all residential water heaters to be strapped, braced or otherwise anchored by the year 2000. Commercial buildings don't face the same requirements under state law, but check your county or city's law to see if more stringent requirements have been written into the law. Some counties, such as Fresno County, require you to apply for a permit to replace your water heater.
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