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Chapter 7 — WALL COVERING

Section R704

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.

R704.1 General wind limitations.

Where the design wind pressure is 30 pounds per square foot (1.44 kPa) or less, soffits shall comply with Section R704.2. Where the design wind pressure exceeds 30 pounds per square foot (1.44 kPa), soffits shall comply with Section R704.3. The design wind pressure on soffits shall be determined using the component and cladding loads specified in Table R301.2.1(1) for walls using an effective wind area of 10 square feet (0.93 m 2 ) and adjusted for height and exposure in accordance with Table R301.2.1(2).

R704.2 Soffit installation where the design wind pressure is 30 psf or less.

is 30 psf or less. Where the design wind pressure is 30 pounds per square foot (1.44 kPa) or less, soffit installation shall comply with Section R704.2.1, R704.2.2, R704.2.3 or

WALL COVERING

R704.2.4. Soffit materials not addressed in Sections R704.2.1 through R704.2.4 shall be in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions.

R704.2.1 Vinyl soffit panels. Vinyl soffit panels shall be installed using fasteners specified by the manufacturer and shall be fastened at both ends to a supporting component such as a nailing strip, fascia or subfascia component in accordance with Figure R704.2.1(1). Where the unsupported span of soffit panels is greater than 16 inches (406 mm), intermediate nailing strips shall be provided in accordance with Figure R704.2.1(2). Vinyl soffit panels shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions. Fascia covers shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions.

R704.2.2 Fiber-cement soffit panels. Fiber-cement soffit panels shall be a minimum of 1 /4 inch (6.4 mm) in thickness and shall comply with the requirements of ASTM C1186, Type A, minimum Grade II, or ISO 8336, Category A, minimum Class 2. Panel joints shall occur over framing or over wood structural panel sheathing. Soffit panels shall be installed with spans and fasteners in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions.

R704.2.3 Hardboard soffit panels. Hardboard soffit panels shall be not less than 7 /16 inch (11.11 mm) in thickness and shall be fastened to framing or nailing strips with 2 1 /2-inch by 0.113-inch (64 mm by 2.9 mm) siding nails spaced not more than 6 inches (152 mm) on center at panel edges and 12 inches (305 mm) on center at intermediate supports.

R704.2.4 Wood structural panel soffit. The minimum nominal thickness for wood structural panel soffits shall be 3 /8 inch (9.5 mm) and shall be fastened to framing or nailing strips with 2-inch by 0.099-inch (51 mm by 2.5 mm) nails. Fasteners shall be spaced not less than 6 inches (152 mm) on center at panel edges and 12 inches (305 mm) on center at intermediate supports.

R704.3 Soffit installation where the design wind pressure exceeds 30 psf.

exceeds 30 psf. Where the design wind pressure is greater than 30 psf, soffit installation shall comply with Section R704.3.1, R704.3.2, R704.3.3 or R704.3.4. Soffit materials not addressed in Sections R704.3.1 through R704.3.4 shall be in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions.

R704.3.1 Vinyl soffit panels. Vinyl soffit panels and their attachments shall be capable of resisting wind loads specified in Table R301.2.1(1) for walls using an effective wind area of 10 square feet (0.929 m 2 ) and adjusted for height and exposure in accordance with Table R301.2.1(2). Vinyl soffit panels shall be installed using fasteners specified by the manufacturer and shall be fastened at both ends to a supporting component such as a nailing strip, fascia or subfascia component in accordance with Figure R704.2.1(1). Where the unsupported span of soffit panels is greater than 12 inches (305 mm), intermediate nailing strips shall be provided in accordance with Figure

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.

WALL COVERING

R704.2.1(2). Vinyl soffit panels shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions. Fascia covers shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions.

R704.3.2 Fiber-cement soffit panels. Fiber-cement soffit panels shall comply with Section R704.2.2 and shall be capable of resisting wind loads specified in Table R301.2.1(1) for walls using an effective wind area of 10 square feet (0.929 m 2 ) and adjusted for height and exposure in accordance with Table R301.2.1(2).

R704.3.3 Hardboard soffit panels. Hardboard soffit panels shall comply with the manufacturer’s installation instructions and shall be capable of resisting wind loads specified in Table R301.2.1(1) for walls using an effective wind area of 10 square feet (0.929 m 2 ) and adjusted for height and exposure in accordance with Table R301.2.1(2).

R704.3.4 Wood structural panel soffit. Wood structural panel soffits shall be capable of resisting wind loads specified in Table R301.2.1(1) for walls using an effective wind area of 10 square feet (0.929 m 2 ) and adjusted for height and exposure in accordance with Table R301.2.1(2). Alternatively, wood structural panel soffits shall be installed in accordance with Table R704.3.4.

FIGURE R704.2.1(1) TYPICAL SINGLE-SPAN VINYL SOFFIT PANEL SUPPORT

7-30 2022 CALIFORNIA RESIDENTIAL CODE

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.

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INSTRUCTIONS.

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.

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TABLE R704.3.4 PRESCRIPTIVE ALTERNATIVE FOR WOOD STRUCTURAL PANEL SOFFIT b, c, d, e

MAXIMUM DESIGN
PRESSURE
(+ or - psf)		 MINIMUM PANEL
SPAN RATING		 MINIMUM PANEL
PERFORMANCE
CATEGORY		 NAIL TYPE AND SIZE FASTENERa SPACING ALONG EDGES AND
INTERMEDIATE SUPPORTS
MAXIMUM DESIGN
PRESSURE
(+ or - psf)		 MINIMUM PANEL
SPAN RATING		 MINIMUM PANEL
PERFORMANCE
CATEGORY		 NAIL TYPE AND SIZE
 Galvanized Steel Stainless Steel
30 24/0 3/8 6d box
(2 × 0.099 × 0.266 head diameter)		 6f 4
40 24/0 3/8 6d box
(2 × 0.099 × 0.266 head diameter)
 6 4
50 24/0 3/8 6d box
(2 × 0.099 × 0.266 head diameter)		 4 4
50 24/0 3/8 8d common
(21/2 × 0.131 × 0.281 head diameter)
 6 6
60 24/0 3/8 6d box
(2 × 0.099 × 0.266 head diameter)
 4 3
60 24/0 3/8 8d common
(21/2 × 0.131 × 0.281 head diameter)		 6 4
70 24/16 7/16 8d common
(21/2× 0.131 × 0.281 head diameter)
 4 4
70 24/16 7/16 10d box
(3 × 0.128 × 0.312 head diameter)
 6 4
80 24/16 7/16 8d common
(21/2 × 0.131 × 0.281 head diameter)		 4 4
80 24/16 7/16 10d box
(3 × 0.128 × 0.312 head diameter)
 6 4
90 32/16 15/32 8d common
(21/2 × 0.131 × 0.281 head diameter)
 4 3
90 32/16 15/32 10d box
(3 × 0.128 × 0.312 head diameter)		 6 4

For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 pound per square foot = 0.0479 kPa. a. Fasteners shall comply with Sections R703.3.2 and R703.3.3. b. Maximum spacing of soffit framing members shall not exceed 24 inches. c. Wood structural panels shall be of an exterior exposure grade. d. Wood structural panels shall be installed with strength axis perpendicular to supports with not fewer than two continuous spans. e. Wood structural panels shall be attached to soffit framing members with specific gravity of at least 0.42. Framing members shall be minimum 2 × 3 nominal

with the larger dimension in the cross section aligning with the length of fasteners to provide sufficient embedment depths. f. Spacing at intermediate supports shall be not greater than 12 inches on center.

7-32 2022 CALIFORNIA RESIDENTIAL CODE

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.

CALIFORNIA RESIDENTIAL CODE – MATRIX ADOPTION TABLE

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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
    Overview
    1. Section R701
    2. Section R702
    3. Section R703
    4. Section R704
  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
  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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