Inland Empire Home Seller Disclosure Requirements (2026)
California's full disclosure suite applies to Inland Empire sellers. The IE's particular issues include the San Andreas Fault running directly through the region, significant wildfire risk in foothill communities, and wind hazard disclosure.
California Required Disclosures
Transfer Disclosure Statement (TDS) — mandatory. Complete fully. Key IE-specific items:
Natural Hazard Disclosure (NHD) Report — mandatory. Hire a provider ($100–$200) for the required statutory NHD. The IE NHD will commonly flag:
Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zones: The San Andreas Fault runs northwest-to-southeast through San Bernardino County. Properties in San Bernardino, Redlands, Yucaipa, Cajon Pass, and the mountain communities above are in or near Alquist-Priolo zones. Structures built for human occupancy are prohibited within 50 feet of an active fault trace.
High and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones: The San Bernardino National Forest interface, Chino Hills, portions of Rancho Cucamonga and Fontana foothills, Riverside County hillside communities — all have significant fire hazard designation. Insurance availability is a material concern.
Seismic Hazard Zones (Liquefaction/Landslide): Valley floor areas near the Santa Ana River and some alluvial fan deposits have liquefaction risk maps.
Wildfire Insurance Disclosure for Foothill Properties
For properties in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (which includes much of the IE foothills), California's homeowners insurance crisis is a buyer concern:
Santa Ana Wind and Fire History
The Inland Empire experiences Santa Ana Wind events annually — dry, hot, fast winds that create extreme fire behavior. Several major fires have affected IE communities (October Fire 2003, Grand Prix/Old Fire 2003, many subsequent events). Any fire damage to the property must be disclosed on the TDS. Buyers' lenders and insurers will ask about prior fire claims.
Earthquake Preparedness Disclosure
California seller certification requirements include disclosure of whether a water heater is seismically strapped. In addition, many IE properties benefit from earthquake preparedness features (cripple wall bolting, foundation anchoring) that can be disclosed as positive selling points to buyers sensitive to seismic risk.