Section 1905 — SEISMIC REQUIREMENTS
2025 California Building Code (Title 24, Part 2) · 2025 edition · updated 2026-07-29 · California
Italicized text is a California amendment to the model code, as printed in the official publication.
1905.1 General. ¶
In addition to the provisions of ACI 318, structural concrete shall comply with the requirements of Section 1905.
1905.2 ACI 318 Section 2.3. ¶
Modify existing definitions and add the following definitions to ACI 318 Section 2.3:
CAST-IN-PLACE CONCRETE EQUIVALENT DIAPHRAGM. A cast-in-place noncomposite topping slab diaphragm, as defined in Section 18.12.5, or a diaphragm constructed with precast concrete components that uses closure strips between precast components with detailing that meets the requirements of ACI 318 for the Seismic Design Category of the structure.
DETAILED PLAIN CONCRETE STRUCTURAL WALL. A wall complying with the requirements of Chapter 14, and Section 1905.5 of the California Building Code .
ORDINARY PLAIN CONCRETE STRUCTURAL WALL. A wall complying with the requirements of Chapter 14, excluding 14.6.2.
ORDINARY PRECAST STRUCTURAL WALL. A precast wall complying with the requirements of Chapters 1 through 13, 15, 16 and 19 through 26.
ORDINARY REINFORCED CONCRETE STRUCTURAL WALL. A cast-in-place wall complying with the requirements of Chapters 1 through 13, 15, 16 and 19 through 26.
PRECAST CONCRETE DIAPHRAGM. A diaphragm constructed with precast concrete components, with or without a cast-in-place topping, that includes the use of discrete connectors or joint reinforcement to transmit diaphragm forces.
1905.3 Intermediate precast structural walls. ¶
Intermediate precast structural walls shall comply with Section 18.5 of ACI 318 and this section.
1905.3.1 Connections designed to yield. Connections that are designed to yield shall be capable of maintaining 80 percent of their design strength at the deformation induced by the design displacement or shall use Type 2 mechanical splices.
1905.4 Foundations designed to resist earthquake forces. ¶
Foundations resisting earthquake-induced forces or transferring earthquake-induced forces between a structure and the ground shall comply with the requirements of Section 18.13 of ACI 318 and other applicable provisions of ACI 318 unless modified by Chapter 18.
1905.5 Detailed plain concrete structural walls. ¶
Detailed plain concrete structural walls are walls conforming to the requirements of ordinary plain concrete structural walls and Section 1905.5.1. [OSHPD 1R, 2 & 5] Plain concrete shall not be permitted.
1905.5.1 Reinforcement. Reinforcement shall be provided as follows:
Vertical reinforcement of not less than 0.20 square inch (129 mm [2] ) in cross-sectional area shall be provided continuously from support to support at each corner, at each side of each opening, and at the ends of walls. The continuous vertical bar required beside an opening is permitted to substitute for one of the two No. 5 bars required by Section 14.6.1 of ACI 318.
Horizontal reinforcement of not less than 0.20 square inch (129 mm [2] ) in cross-sectional area shall be provided: 2.1. Continuously at structurally connected roof and floor levels and at the top of walls. 2.2. At the bottom of load-bearing walls or in the top of foundations where doweled to the wall. 2.3. At a maximum spacing of 120 inches (3048 mm).
Reinforcement at the top and bottom of openings, where used in determining the maximum spacing specified in Item 2.3, shall be continuous in the wall.
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1905.6 Structural plain concrete. ¶
Structural plain concrete elements shall comply with this section in lieu of Section 14.1.4 of ACI 318. [OSHPD 1R, 2 & 5] Plain concrete shall not be permitted.
1905.6.1 Seismic Design Categories A and B. In structures assigned to Seismic Design Category A or B, detached one- and twofamily dwellings three stories or less in height constructed with stud-bearing walls are permitted to have plain concrete footings without longitudinal reinforcement.
1905.6.2 Seismic Design Categories C, D, E and F. Structures assigned to Seismic Design Category C, D, E or F shall not have elements of structural plain concrete, except as follows:
Structural plain concrete basement, foundation or other walls below the base as defined in ASCE/SEI 7 are permitted in detached one- and two-family dwellings three stories or less in height constructed with stud-bearing walls. In dwellings assigned to Seismic Design Category D or E, the height of the wall shall not exceed 8 feet (2438 mm), the thickness shall be not less than 7 [1] / 2 inches (190 mm), and the wall shall retain not more than 4 feet (1219 mm) of unbalanced fill. Walls shall have reinforcement in accordance with Section 14.6.1 of ACI 318.
Isolated footings of plain concrete supporting pedestals or columns are permitted, provided that the projection of the footing beyond the face of the supported member does not exceed the footing thickness. Exception: In detached one- and two-family dwellings three stories or less in height, the projection of the footing beyond the face of the supported member is permitted to exceed the footing thickness.
Plain concrete footings supporting walls are permitted, provided that the footings have not fewer than two continuous longitudinal reinforcing bars. Bars shall not be smaller than No. 4 and shall have a total area of not less than 0.002 times the gross cross-sectional area of the footing. For footings that exceed 8 inches (203 mm) in thickness, not fewer than one bar shall be provided at the top and bottom of the footing. Continuity of reinforcement shall be provided at corners and intersections.
Exceptions:
Where assigned to Seismic Design Category C, detached one- and two-family dwellings three stories or less in height constructed with stud-bearing walls are permitted to have plain concrete footings without longitudinal reinforcement.
For foundation systems consisting of a plain concrete footing and a plain concrete stemwall, not fewer than one bar shall be provided at the top of the stemwall and at the bottom of the footing.
Footings cast monolithically with a slab-on-ground shall have not fewer than one No. 4 bar at the top and bottom of the footing or one No. 5 bar or two No. 4 bars in the middle third of the footing depth.
1905.7 Design requirements for anchors. ¶
For the design requirements for anchors, Sections 1905.7.1 and 1905.7.2 provide exceptions that are permitted to ACI 318.
1905.7.1 Anchors in tension. The following exception is permitted to ACI 318 Section 17.10.5.2:
Exception: Anchors designed to resist wall out-of-plane forces with design strengths equal to or greater than the force determined in accordance with ASCE/SEI 7 Equation 12.11-1 or 12.14-1 shall be deemed to satisfy Section 17.10.5.3(d) of ACI 318.
1905.7.2 Anchors in shear. The following exceptions are permitted to ACI 318 Section 17.10.6.2:
Exceptions:
- For the calculation of the in-plane shear strength of anchor bolts attaching wood sill plates of bearing or nonbearing walls of light-frame wood structures to foundations or foundation stemwalls, the in-plane shear strength in accordance with Sections 17.7.2 and 17.7.3 of ACI 318 need not be computed and Section 17.10.6.3 of ACI 318 shall be deemed to be satisfied provided that all of the following are met: 1.1. The allowable in-plane shear strength of the anchor is determined in accordance with ANSI/AWC NDS Table 12E for lateral design values parallel to grain. 1.2. The maximum anchor nominal diameter is [5] / 8 inch (16 mm). 1.3. Anchor bolts are embedded into concrete not less than 7 inches (178 mm). 1.4. Anchor bolts are located not less than 1¾ inches (45 mm) from the edge of the concrete parallel to the length of the wood sill plate. 1.5. Anchor bolts are located not less than 15 anchor diameters from the edge of the concrete perpendicular to the length of the wood sill plate. 1.6. The sill plate is 2-inch (51 mm) or 3-inch (76 mm) nominal thickness.
- For the calculation of the in-plane shear strength of anchor bolts attaching cold-formed steel track of bearing or nonbearing walls of light-frame construction to foundations or foundation stemwalls, the in-plane shear strength in accordance with Sections 17.7.2 and 17.7.3 of ACI 318 need not be computed and 17.10.6.3 shall be deemed to be satisfied provided that all of the following are met:
Allowable in-plane shear strength of exempt anchors, parallel to the edge of concrete, shall be permitted to be determined in accordance with AISI S100 Section J3.3.1.
2.1. The maximum anchor nominal diameter is [5] / 8 inch (16 mm). 2.2. Anchors are embedded into concrete a minimum of 7 inches (178 mm).
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2.3. Anchors are located a minimum of 1 [3] / 4 inches (45 mm) from the edge of the concrete parallel to the length of the track.
2.4. Anchors are located a minimum of 15 anchor diameters from the edge of the concrete perpendicular to the length of the track. 2.5. The track is 33 to 68 mil (0.84 mm to 1.73 mm) designation thickness. 3. In light-frame construction bearing or nonbearing walls, shear strength of concrete anchors less than or equal to 1 inch (25 mm) in diameter attaching sill plate or track to foundation or foundation stemwalls need not satisfy Sections 17.10.6.3(a) through (c) when the design strength of the anchors is determined in accordance with Section 17.7.2.1(c) of ACI 318.
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Ask AI about this code▸ Contents — 2025 California Building Code (Title 24, Part 2)
- Chapter 1 — ADMINISTRATION
- Chapter 2 — DEFINITIONS
- Chapter 3 — OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION AND USE
- Chapter 4 — SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON OCCUPANCY A…
- Chapter 5 — GENERAL BUILDING HEIGHTS AND AREAS
- Chapter 6 — TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION
- Chapter 7 — FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
- Chapter 7A — MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION METHODS FOR EXTERIOR W…
- Chapter 8 — INTERIOR FINISHES
- Chapter 9 — FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY SYSTEMS
- Chapter 10 — MEANS OF EGRESS
- Chapter 11 — RESERVED
- Chapter 11A — HOUSING ACCESSIBILITY
- Chapter 11B — ACCESSIBILITY TO PUBLIC BUILDINGS, PUBLIC ACCOMM…
- Chapter 12 — INTERIOR ENVIRONMENT
- Chapter 13 — ENERGY EFFICIENCY
- Chapter 14 — EXTERIOR WALLS
- Chapter 15 — ROOF ASSEMBLIES AND ROOFTOP STRUCTURES
- Chapter 16 — STRUCTURAL DESIGN
- Chapter 16A — STRUCTURAL DESIGN
- Chapter 17 — SPECIAL INSPECTIONS AND TESTS
- Chapter 17A — SPECIAL INSPECTIONS AND TESTS
- Chapter 18 — SOILS AND FOUNDATIONS
- Chapter 18A — SOILS AND FOUNDATIONS
-
▸ Chapter 19 — CONCRETE
Overview- Section 1901 — GENERAL
- Section 1902 — COORDINATION OF TERMINOLOGY
- Section 1903 — SPECIFICATIONS FOR TESTS AND MATERIALS
- Section 1904 — DURABILITY REQUIREMENTS
- Section 1905 — SEISMIC REQUIREMENTS
- Section 1906 — FOOTINGS FOR LIGHT-FRAME CONSTRUCTION
- Section 1907 — SLABS-ON-GROUND
- Section 1908 — SHOTCRETE
- Section 1909 — ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGES …
- Section 1910 — ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR SKILLED NURSING FAC…
- Section 1911 — EXISTING CONCRETE STRUCTURES [OSHPD 1R, 2 & 5]
- Chapter 19A — CONCRETE
- Chapter 20 — ALUMINUM
- Chapter 21 — MASONRY
- Chapter 21A — MASONRY
- Chapter 22 — STEEL
- Chapter 22A — STEEL
- Chapter 23 — WOOD
- Chapter 24 — GLASS AND GLAZING
- Chapter 25 — GYPSUM PANEL PRODUCTS AND PLASTER
- Chapter 26 — PLASTIC
- Chapter 27 — ELECTRICAL
- Chapter 28 — MECHANICAL SYSTEMS
- Chapter 29 — PLUMBING SYSTEMS
- Chapter 30 — ELEVATORS AND CONVEYING SYSTEMS
- Chapter 31 — SPECIAL CONSTRUCTION
- Chapter 31A — SYSTEMS FOR WINDOW CLEANING OR EXTERIOR BUILDING…
- Chapter 31B — PUBLIC POOLS
- Chapter 31C — RADIATION
- Chapter 31D — FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS
- Chapter 31F — MARINE OIL TERMINALS
- Chapter 32 — ENCROACHMENTS INTO THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY
- Chapter 33 — SAFEGUARDS DURING CONSTRUCTION
- Chapter 34 — RESERVED
- Chapter 35 — REFERENCED STANDARDS
- Appendix A — EMPLOYEE QUALIFICATIONS
- Appendix B — BOARD OF APPEALS
- Appendix C — GROUP U—AGRICULTURAL BUILDINGS
- Appendix D — FIRE DISTRICTS
- Appendix E — RESERVED
- Appendix F — RODENTPROOFING
- Appendix G — FLOOD-RESISTANT CONSTRUCTION
- Appendix H — SIGNS
- Appendix I — PATIO COVERS
- Appendix J — GRADING
- Appendix K — GROUP R-3 AND GROUP R-3.1 OCCUPANCIES PROTECTED B…
- Appendix L — EARTHQUAKE RECORDING INSTRUMENTATION
- Appendix M — TSUNAMI-GENERATED FLOOD HAZARDS
- Appendix N — REPLICABLE BUILDINGS
- Appendix O — PERFORMANCE-BASED APPLICATION
- Appendix P — SLEEPING LOFTS
- Appendix Q — EMERGENCY HOUSING