Franklin's Seismic Design Category, explained

Under the seismic model IBC and ASCE 7 use for new construction, Franklin is Category B. Low seismic hazard. Code requires basic seismic detailing (bracing, connections) but no special structural system restrictions. Nationally, Franklin ranks above 45% of the 4,875 cities in this dataset for seismic hazard - the 45th percentile.

How Franklin compares

USGS's underlying values for Franklin: 0.07g peak ground acceleration, 0.139g at short period, 0.072g at 1 second. Within Ohio alone, Franklin ranks 131 of 254 cities by seismic hazard - the 49th percentile in-state. Franklin has a population of about 11,758.

Retrofit economics for Franklin

A full earthquake retrofit typically runs $5,000-$10,000 nationally (around $7,000 typical), driven mainly by house size and foundation type, not by Ohio specifically. California's Earthquake Brace + Bolt grant, which covers a large share of this cost, is a California-only program and does not apply in Ohio.

Insuring against this, not just retrofitting

A Franklin homeowner cannot buy a standalone earthquake policy in most cases - it is added to an existing homeowners policy as an endorsement, so the place to start is a regular home-insurance quote.

Where Franklin's figures come from

Franklin's Category B and every number above trace to USGS's own ASCE 7-16 Design Maps service - see the methodology guide. See the category explainer for what Category B does and doesn't tell you about Franklin.