1608 Snow Loads — 2025 California Building Code

1608.1 General.¶

Design snow loads shall be determined in accordance with Chapter 7 of ASCE 7, but the design roof load shall be not less than that determined by Section 1607.

Exception: Temporary structures complying with Section 3103.6.1.1.

Exceptions & meaning →

1608.2 Ground snow loads.¶

The ground snow loads to be used in determining the design snow loads for roofs shall be determined in accordance with the reliability-targeted (strength based) ground snow load values in Chapter 7 of ASCE 7 or Figures 1608.2(1) through 1608.2(4) for the contiguous United States and Table 1608.2 for Alaska. Site-specific case studies shall be determined in accordance with Chapter 7 of ASCE 7 and shall be approved by the building official. Snow loads are zero for Hawaii, except in mountainous regions as approved by the building official.

TABLE 1608.2—GROUND SNOW LOADS, p, FOR ALASKAN LOCATIONS
g

CITY/TOWN	ELEVATION (ft)	GROUND SNOW LOAD,pg a, b, c (lb/ft2)	GROUND SNOW LOAD,pg a, b, c (lb/ft2)	GROUND SNOW LOAD,pg a, b, c (lb/ft2)	GROUND SNOW LOAD,pg a, b, c (lb/ft2)
CITY/TOWN	ELEVATION (ft)	RISK CATEGORY	RISK CATEGORY	RISK CATEGORY	RISK CATEGORY
CITY/TOWN	ELEVATION (ft)	I	II	III	IV
Adek	100	32	40	46	50
Anchorage/Eagle Riverc	500	64	80	92	100
Arctic Village	2,100	38	48	55	60
Bethel	100	51	64	74	80
Bettles	700	102	128	147	160
Cantwell	2,100	109	136	156	170
Cold Bay	100	45	56	64	70
Cordova	100	128	160	184	200
Deadhorse	100	32	40	46	50
Delta Junction	400	51	64	74	80
Dillingham	100	141	176	202	220
Emmonak	100	128	160	184	200
Fairbanks	1,200	77	96	110	120
Fort Yukon	400	64	80	92	100
Galena	200	77	96	110	120
Girdwood	200	179	224	258	280
Glennallen	1,400	58	72	83	90
Haines	100	237	296	340	370
Holy Cross	100	154	192	221	240
Homerc	500	58	72	83	90
Iliamna	200	102	128	147	160
Juneau	100	90	112	129	140
Kaktovik	100	58	72	83	90
Kenai/Soldotna	200	83	104	120	130
Ketchikan	100	38	48	55	60
Kobuk	200	115	144	166	180
Kodiak	100	45	56	64	70
Kotzebue	100	77	96	110	120
McGrath	400	83	104	120	130
Nenana	400	96	120	138	150
Nikiski	200	102	128	147	160

16-18 2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE

STRUCTURAL DESIGN

TABLE 1608.2—GROUND SNOW LOADS, p, FOR ALASKAN LOCATIONS-continued
g

CITY/TOWN	ELEVATION (ft)	GROUND SNOW LOAD,pg a, b, c (lb/ft2)	GROUND SNOW LOAD,pg a, b, c (lb/ft2)	GROUND SNOW LOAD,pg a, b, c (lb/ft2)	GROUND SNOW LOAD,pg a, b, c (lb/ft2)
CITY/TOWN	ELEVATION (ft)	RISK CATEGORY	RISK CATEGORY	RISK CATEGORY	RISK CATEGORY
CITY/TOWN	ELEVATION (ft)	I	II	III	IV
Nome	100	90	112	129	140
Palmer/Wasilla	500	64	80	92	100
Petersburg	100	122	152	175	190
Point Hope	100	58	72	83	90
Saint Lawrence Island	100	122	152	175	190
Saint Paul Islands	100	51	64	74	80
Seward	100	77	96	110	120
Sitka	100	64	80	92	100
Talkeetna	400	154	192	221	240
Tok	1,700	45	56	64	70
Umiat	300	38	48	55	60
Unalakleet	100	45	56	64	70
Unalaska	100	96	120	138	150
Utqiagvik (Barrow)	100	32	40	46	50
Valdez	100	205	256	294	320
Wainwright	100	32	40	46	50
Whittier	100	346	432	497	540
Willow	300	102	128	147	160
Yakutat	100	179	224	258	280
For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 pound per square foot = 0.0479 kN/m2. a. Statutory requirements of the building official are not included in this state ground snow load table. b. For locations where there is substantial change in altitude over the city/town, the load applies at and below the cited elevation within the jurisdiction and up to 100 feet above the cited elevation unless otherwise noted. c. For locations in Anchorage/Eagle River and Homer above the cited elevation, the ground snow load shall be increased by 15 percent for every 100 feet above the cited elevation.

1608.2.1 Ground snow conversion. Where required, the ground snow loads, p g, of Figures 1608.2(1) through 1608.2(4) and Table 1608.2 shall be converted to allowable stress design ground snow loads, p g(asd), using Equation 16-17. Equation 16-17 p g(asd) = 0.7 p g

where:

p g(asd) = Allowable stress design ground snow load. p g = Ground snow load determined from Figures 1608.2(1) through 1608.2(4) and Table 1608.2.

Exceptions & meaning →

1608.3 Ponding instability.¶

Ponding instability on roofs shall be evaluated in accordance with ASCE 7.

STRUCTURAL DESIGN

16-20 2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE

STRUCTURAL DESIGN

16-22 2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE

STRUCTURAL DESIGN

Exceptions & meaning →

1608.1 General.¶

1608.2 Ground snow loads.¶

1608.3 Ponding instability.¶

Explained in plain English