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Chapter 3 — BUILDING PLANNING

Section R318

California Residential Code (Title 24, Part 2.5) · 2019 edition · updated 2026-09-12 · California

Italicized text is a California amendment to the model code, as printed in the official publication.

PROTECTION AGAINST SUBTERRANEAN TERMITES

R318.1 Subterranean termite control methods.

In areas subject to damage from termites as indicated by Table R301.2(1), protection shall be by one, or a combination, of the following methods:

  1. Chemical termiticide treatment in accordance with Section R318.2.

  2. Termite-baiting system installed and maintained in accordance with the label.

  3. Pressure-preservative-treated wood in accordance with the provisions of Section R317.1.

  4. Naturally durable termite-resistant wood.

  5. Physical barriers in accordance with Section R318.3 and used in locations as specified in Section R317.1.

  6. Cold-formed steel framing in accordance with Sections R505.2.1 and R603.2.1.

R318.1.1 Quality mark. Lumber and plywood required to be pressure-preservative treated in accordance with Section R318.1 shall bear the quality mark of an approved inspection agency that maintains continuing supervision,

116 2019 CALIFORNIA RESIDENTIAL CODE

Copyright © 2019 ICC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Accessed by Kevin Day (kevin.day@dgs.ca.gov), (California Building Standards Commission) Order Number #100735044 on Jul 24, 2019 03:54 PM (PDT) pursuant to License Agreement with ICC. No further reproduction or distribution authorized. Single user only, copying and networking prohibited. ANY UNAUTHORIZED REPRODUCTION OR DISTRIBUTION IS A VIOLATION OF THE FEDERAL COPYRIGHT ACT AND THE LICENSE AGREEMENT, AND SUBJECT TO CIVIL AND CRIMINAL PENALTIES THEREUNDER.

100735044

testing and inspection over the quality of the product and that has been approved by an accreditation body that complies with the requirements of the American Lumber Standard Committee treated wood program.

R318.1.2 Field treatment. Field-cut ends, notches and drilled holes of pressure-preservative-treated wood shall be retreated in the field in accordance with AWPA M4.

R318.2 Chemical termiticide treatment.

Chemical termiticide treatment shall include soil treatment or field-applied wood treatment. The concentration, rate of application and method of treatment of the chemical termiticide shall be in strict accordance with the termiticide label.

R318.3 Barriers.

Approved physical barriers, such as metal or plastic sheeting or collars specifically designed for termite prevention, shall be installed in a manner to prevent termites from entering the structure. Shields placed on top of an exterior foundation wall shall be used only if in combination with another method of protection.

R318.4 Foam plastic protection.

In areas where the probability of termite infestation is “very heavy” as indicated in Figure R301.2(7), extruded and expanded polystyrene, polyisocyanurate and other foam plastics shall not be installed on the exterior face or under interior or exterior foundation walls or slab foundations located below grade. The clearance between foam plastics installed above grade and exposed earth shall be not less than 6 inches (152 mm).

Exceptions:

  1. Buildings where the structural members of walls, floors, ceilings and roofs are entirely of noncombustible materials or pressure-preservative-treated wood.

  2. Where in addition to the requirements of Section R318.1, an approved method of protecting the foam plastic and structure from subterranean termite damage is used.

  3. On the interior side of basement walls.

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▸Contents — California Residential Code (Title 24, Part 2.5)
California Residential Code (Title 24, Part 2.5)
  1. Chapter 2 — DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
  2. Chapter 1 — SCOPE AND APPLICATION
  3. ▸Chapter 3 — BUILDING PLANNING
    Overview
    1. Section R300
    2. Section R301
    3. Section R302
    4. Section R303
    5. Section R304
    6. Section R305
    7. Section R306
    8. Section R307
    9. Section R308
    10. Section R309
    11. Section R310
    12. Section R311
    13. Section R312
    14. Section R313
    15. Section R314
    16. Section R315
    17. Section R316
    18. Section R317
    19. Section R318
    20. Section R319
    21. Section R320
    22. Section R321
    23. Section R322
    24. Section R323
    25. Section 324
    26. Section R325
    27. Section R334
    28. Section R335
    29. Section R326
    30. Section R327
    31. Section R336
    32. Section R337
    33. Section R337.1
    34. Section R337.2
    35. Section R337.3
    36. Section R337.4
    37. Section R337.5
    38. Section R337.6
    39. Section R337.7
    40. Section R337.8
    41. Section R337.9
    42. Section R337.10
    43. Section R340
    44. Section R338
  4. Chapter 4 — FOUNDATIONS
  5. Chapter 5 — FLOORS
  6. Chapter 6 — WALL CONSTRUCTION
  7. Chapter 7 — WALL COVERING
  8. Chapter 8 — ROOF-CEILING CONSTRUCTION
  9. Chapter 9 — ROOF ASSEMBLIES
  10. Chapter 10 — CHIMNEYS AND FIREPLACES
  11. Chapter 44 — REFERENCED STANDARDS
  12. Appendix F — RADON CONTROL METHODS
  13. Appendix H — PATIO COVERS
  14. Appendix I — PRIVATE SEWAGE DISPOSAL
  15. Appendix J — EXISTING BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES
  16. Appendix K — SOUND TRANSMISSION
  17. Appendix L — PERMIT FEES
  18. Appendix O — AUTOMATIC VEHICULAR GATES
  19. Appendix Q — TINY HOUSES
  20. Appendix R — LIGHT STRAW-CLAY CONSTRUCTION
  21. Appendix S — STRAWBALE CONSTRUCTION
  22. Appendix T — SOLAR-READY PROVISIONS—DETACHED ONE- AND
  23. Appendix V — SWIMMING POOL SAFETY ACT
  24. Appendix W — AREAS PROTECTED BY THE FACILITIES
  25. Appendix X — EMERGENCY HOUSING

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