Design Criteria

Residential design criteria

View local jurisdiction design criteria in Table R301.2, also listed below.

Ground snow load

  • N/A

Wind design

  • Speed (mph): 110
  • Topographic effects: Yes
  • Special wind region: No
  • Windborne debris zone: No

Seismic design category (R-3)

  • D₀

Subject to damage from

  • Weathering: Negligible
  • Frost line depth: N/A
  • Termite: Very heavy

Winter design temperature

  • N/A

Ice barrier underlayment required

  • N/A

Flood hazards

Air freezing index

  • 6

Mean annual temperature

  • 60.6° Fahrenheit

Commercial design criteria

Seismic design category
  • D (determined by CBC §1613.2.5)
Wind design
  • Exposure: C, unless the site complies with the definition for Exposure B
  • Wind Speed: See table below for Ultimate Design Wind Speed, 3 second gust (CBC §1609.3).
  • Lower design wind speeds may be evaluated on a project specific basis.
Risk CategorySpeed (mph)
I90
II95
III105

Additional design criteria

Geotechnical investigations/reports

  • Soils reports are required for new buildings.
  • Exception: Allowable Soil Bearing Pressure of 1500 PSF (CBC Table 1806.2) may be used for small additions, renovations, and minor structures (sheds, utility structures, fences, etc.) without a soils report.
  • Many areas of Sacramento contain expansive soil. It is the designer’s responsibility to identify if expansive soil is present. If present, a soils report is required per CBC §1803 and CRC §R401.4. An addendum to the soils report is required if the report is more than three years old or if the soils report references the previous code cycle.
Climate zone
  • 12
Water pressure
  • 40 psi maximum guaranteed

Rainfall

  • 1.5” per hour max for structural design of roof framing elements.
  • 3” per hour for the purpose of sizing roof drains, conductors, leaders, gutters, and storm sewers. View Sacramento City Code section 15.24.030.

Flood plan development

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