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Appendix AQ — TINY HOUSES

Section AS103

California Residential Code (Title 24, Part 2.5) · 2022 edition · updated 2026-09-12 · California

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

AS103.1 Shape.

Bales shall be rectangular in shape, except for partial bales made to fill nonrectangular spaces in accordance with Section AS103.6.

APPENDIX AS—STRAWBALE CONSTRUCTION

AS103.2 Size.

Bales shall have a height and thickness of not less than 12 inches (305 mm), except as otherwise permitted or required in this appendix. Bales used within a continuous wall shall be of consistent height and thickness to ensure even distribution of loads within the wall system. See Figure AS103.2 for approximate dimensions of common straw bales.

AS103.3 Ties.

Bales shall be confined by synthetic fiber, natural fiber or metal ties sufficient to maintain required bale density. Ties shall be not less than 3 inches (76 mm) and not more than 6 inches (152 mm) from the two untied faces and shall be spaced not more than 12 inches (305 mm) apart. Bales with broken ties shall be retied with sufficient tension to maintain required bale density.

AS103.4 Moisture content.

The moisture content of bales at the time of application of the first coat of plaster or the installation of another finish shall not exceed 20 percent of the weight of the bale. The moisture content of bales shall be determined with a moisture meter designed for use with baled straw or hay, equipped with a probe of sufficient length to reach the center of the bale. Not less than 5 percent and not fewer than 10 bales shall be randomly selected and tested.

AS103.5 Density.

Bales shall have a dry density of not less than 6.5 pounds per cubic foot (104 kg/cubic meter). The dry density shall be calculated by subtracting the weight of the moisture in pounds (kg) from the actual bale weight and dividing by the volume of the bale in cubic feet (cubic meters). Not less than 2 percent and not fewer than five bales shall be randomly selected and tested on-site.

AS103.6 Partial bales.

Partial bales made after original fabrication shall be retied with ties complying with Section AS103.3.

AS103.7 Types of straw.

Bales shall be composed of straw from wheat, rice, rye, barley or oat. The dry stems of other cereal grains or similar crops shall be acceptable where

Note: Illustrations also show the predominant direction of the lengths of straw in a typical straw bale. However, some randomness of direction is normal.

FIGURE AS102.1 BALE ORIENTATIONS

Copyright © 2022 by, or licensed to, International Code Council, Inc. (ALL RIGHTS RESERVED); licensed to California Building Standards Commission pursuant to License Agreement. No further reproductions is authorized. 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.

APPENDIX AS—STRAWBALE CONSTRUCTION

For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm.

FIGURE AS103.2 APPROXIMATE DIMENSIONS OF COMMON STRAW BALES

approved by the building official. Bales shall not be composed of hay.

AS103.8 Orientation of bales.

Straw bales shall be placed laid flat, on-edge or on end in accordance with this appendix.

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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. Appendix AF — RADON CONTROL
  3. Appendix AI — PRIVATE SEWAGE
  4. Appendix AJ — EXISTING
  5. Appendix AK — SOUND
  6. Appendix AO — AUTOMATIC
  7. Appendix AR — LIGHT STRAW-CLAY
  8. Appendix AS — STRAWBALE
  9. Appendix AU — COB CONSTRUCTION
  10. Appendix AV — BOARD
  11. Appendix AW — 3D-PRINTED BUILDING
  12. Chapter 1 — SCOPE AND APPLICATION
  13. Chapter 3 — BUILDING PLANNING
  14. Chapter 4 — FOUNDATIONS
  15. Chapter 5 — FLOORS
  16. Chapter 6 — WALL CONSTRUCTION
  17. Chapter 7 — WALL COVERING
  18. Chapter 8 — ROOF-CEILING CONSTRUCTION
  19. Chapter 9 — ROOF ASSEMBLIES
  20. Chapter 10 — CHIMNEYS AND FIREPLACES
  21. Chapter 44 — REFERENCED STANDARDS
  22. Appendix AH — PATIO COVERS
  23. Appendix AL — PERMIT FEES
  24. ▸Appendix AQ — TINY HOUSES
    Overview
    1. Section AQ101
    2. Section AQ102
    3. Section AQ103
    4. Section AQ104
    5. Section AQ105
    6. Section AQ106
    7. Section AR101
    8. Section AR102
    9. Section AR103
    10. Section AR104
    11. Section AR105
    12. Section AS101
    13. Section AS102
    14. Section AS103
    15. Section AS104
    16. Section AS105
    17. Section AS106
    18. Section AS107
    19. Section AS108
    20. Section AS109
  25. Appendix AT — SOLAR-READY PROVISIONS—DETACHED ONE- AND
  26. Appendix AX — SWIMMING POOL SAFETY ACT
  27. Appendix AY — AREAS PROTECTED BY THE FACILITIES
  28. Appendix AZ — EMERGENCY HOUSING

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