Although one can do nothing about the level of seismic hazard a structure could experience, it is now well known that seismic structural response can be reduced by structural control techniques. Modern seismic response control methods can be divided into either passive or active controls. Hybrid techniques which combine the advantages of the two are also being considered. Base isolation is a well known passive control method. Other passive methods are supplementary damping or energy dissipation devices such as viscoelastic dampers, friction dampers, fluid dampers and other yielding devices. The active control methods for aerospace and electrical engineering applications, are now being considered for control of civil structures. This paper describes some latest passive and active structural control methods. Some active control methods with potential for application to civil structures are identified.