Funding Seismic And Sewer Upgrades In Danville

Sticker shock is real when you hear you need an earthquake retrofit or a sewer lateral repair. You want to protect your home, stay on budget, and avoid delays that can impact daily life or a future sale. In this guide, you’ll learn who does what in Danville, which grants and financing options are available, and how to move from permit to completion with confidence. Let’s dive in.

Who does what in Danville

Danville’s Permit Center handles building permits for structural work, including foundation bolting, cripple-wall bracing, and new shear walls. Review application steps and plan-check hours on the Town’s Permit Center page before you start.

Central Contra Costa Sanitary District (Central San) manages wastewater for Danville and oversees private sewer laterals. Property owners are responsible for the lateral from the home to the public main, and Central San issues permits and inspections for any lateral work. Read the requirements and contractor guidance in Central San’s permit FAQs.

Seismic funding options

CRMP grants: EBB and ESS

California Residential Mitigation Program (CRMP) offers competitive grants for vulnerable home types. The Earthquake Brace + Bolt program typically provides up to about $3,000 for raised-foundation brace-and-bolt retrofits, and Earthquake Soft-Story grants have reached up to $13,000 in some rounds. Check current availability and ZIP-code eligibility on the CRMP site.

Do not start work until CRMP approves your pre-work documentation. After acceptance, follow CRMP’s required steps for permits, bids, and timelines outlined in the “What’s Next” guidance for accepted homeowners. You can review those steps here: CRMP accepted homeowner process.

Loan support through CalCAP Seismic Safety

If you need financing, some lenders enroll retrofit loans in CalCAP Seismic Safety. The program supports loans up to $250,000 with lender loss-reserve coverage for up to 10 years. Terms and rates are set by participating lenders, so ask your bank if it participates: CalCAP Seismic Safety.

PACE financing considerations

Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) lets you finance eligible improvements and repay through your property tax bill. Programs and terms vary by administrator, and the assessment can affect future refinancing or sale, so review the trade-offs carefully. You can verify active administrators in California on the DFPI’s PACE registry.

Insurance discounts after retrofitting

Verified seismic retrofits can reduce earthquake insurance premiums. The California Earthquake Authority notes discounts that can reach about 20 to 25 percent, depending on retrofit type and documentation. See the discount details and verification requirements on the CEA’s premium discounts page.

Federal funding outlook

Large federal mitigation funds have been in flux. A major FEMA BRIC allocation tied to California retrofit projects was canceled in 2025, which reduced federal support for some multifamily efforts. Expect more reliance on state and local programs, and watch for updates reported by outlets like the San Francisco Chronicle: report on BRIC changes.

Paying for sewer lateral work

Responsibility and permits

In Danville, you own and maintain the private lateral from your home to the public main. Central San requires permits for repairs or replacements and inspects to its standards. Start with Central San’s permit FAQs to understand materials, specifications, and inspection steps.

Financing options and cost-sharing

If you are converting from septic to sewer, Central San’s Septic-to-Sewer program offers financing and explains how neighbors can use a Contractual Assessment District for main extensions. Learn more on Central San’s Septic-to-Sewer page.

If a plumber charged you for a problem later found in the public main, Central San describes procedures for possible partial reimbursement. Review the details in their residents FAQ: Central San residents FAQs.

Step-by-step checklists

Seismic retrofit steps

1. Identify vulnerabilities. Ask a licensed engineer to check for raised foundations, cripple walls, or soft-story conditions, and review eligibility on the CRMP site.
2. Explore grants and financing. Register during CRMP windows, and if you need a loan, ask lenders about CalCAP Seismic Safety or consider PACE through the DFPI PACE registry.
3. Get bids and plans. Obtain written bids and, if needed, engineered plans. Do not start work until CRMP approves pre-work documentation if you plan to use a grant.
4. Pull permits. Submit your building permit to Danville’s Permit Center and allow time for plan check. Coordinate any plumbing impacts with Central San if relevant.
5. Complete and verify. Schedule inspections, then save final sign-offs and retrofit verification for possible CEA insurance discounts via the CEA discounts page.

Sewer lateral and septic conversion steps

1. Confirm service. Determine if you are on Central San and whether a conversion is needed. Start with Central San’s permit FAQs for lateral rules.
2. Plan scope and financing. For septic conversions or main extensions, review Central San’s Septic-to-Sewer options and ask about cost estimates.
3. Get multiple bids. Choose a contractor who meets Central San standards and understands required inspections.
4. Permit and inspect. Pull the Central San permit, complete work, and pass inspection. Keep all records for future disclosures.

Time your project around a sale

If you plan to list soon, align your retrofit or lateral work with your marketing timeline. Permit review and grant approvals can take weeks, so start early to avoid delaying your on-market date. Buyers will value clear documentation, which can reduce surprises in escrow and support pricing confidence.

If you are buying, request lateral condition information and ask about any completed seismic work and permits. You can also plan future upgrades by checking CRMP windows and gathering bids during inspections.

Documents to save

• Issued permits, plans, and final inspection cards.
• CRMP acceptance, scope, and completion verification.
• Contractor invoices and photos of work in progress.
• CEA retrofit verification used for insurance discounts.
• Central San lateral permits, inspection results, and any reimbursement correspondence.

Ready to map your timeline and budget to the market? Reach out for local guidance on sequencing permits, upgrades, and your sale or purchase plan with Michael Katwan.

FAQs

What permits do I need for a seismic retrofit in Danville?

• You need a building permit from the Town of Danville for structural or foundation work. Plan for plan check and inspections, and do not start if you are pursuing a CRMP grant until your pre-work documentation is approved.

How do I see if my home qualifies for an EBB grant?

• Check your address and ZIP code on the CRMP website during open registration windows. Eligibility and grant amounts vary by round and house type.

Who pays to replace a sewer lateral in Danville?

• The property owner is responsible for the private lateral from the house to the public main. Central San issues permits and inspects the work to district standards.

Can I use PACE for seismic upgrades in Contra Costa County?

• In many cases, yes, if a PACE administrator offers seismic or resiliency measures in your area. Review program terms carefully and confirm how a PACE assessment could affect future refinancing or a sale.

Will a verified retrofit lower my earthquake insurance premium?

• Often yes. Participating insurers, including CEA, offer premium discounts when you submit proper retrofit verification. The exact discount depends on the retrofit type and your policy.

Are federal grants available for small multifamily retrofits right now?

• Availability is limited and can change. A major FEMA BRIC funding tranche was canceled in 2025, so many projects rely on state programs and local financing; verify current solicitations before you plan around federal funds.