Cal. Health and Safety Code § 19210

(a) The Legislature finds and declares that there exists a serious threat of fire, explosion, or electrocution to the people of California from water heaters that overturn or experience damage to the plumbing or electrical wiring during an earthquake, and that a large number of structures will suffer damage from water heaters due to the lack of adequate strapping or bracing. (b) The Legislature further finds and declares that it is the goal of the State of California to reduce earthquake hazards in this state. (c) The Legislature further finds and declares that the original state policy goal of having all water heaters strapped or properly anchored by the year 2000 has not been achieved, thereby exposing the residents of California to a continuing serious risk of injury or damage from water heaters overturned or demolished during earthquakes. (d) The Legislature further finds and declares that occupants of rental housing in this state are vulnerable to the threat of fire, explosion, or electrocution from water heaters that overturn or experience damage during an earthquake, and are not authorized to strap, brace, or anchor water heaters in their units without the owner’s advance approval, thus exposing them to hazardous conditions that they cannot mitigate. (e) It is the intent of the Legislature that compliance with Section 19211 shall not result in the displacement of existing households.