Are straps required for hot water heaters for FHA?

[golandmark]

Local codes apply. HUD is silent on being double strapped. In California, water heaters must be double strapped. Elsewhere the lender may require it to be double strapped in addition to HUD's requirements but this is not likely. It sounds like you are dealing with someone who is confusing the CA guideline with a national guideline. I would ask them to cite their source for the requirement.