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Title 30 — RESIDENTIAL CODE

Los Angeles County Municipal Code Ch. 4 Foundations

Los Angeles County Municipal Code · 2026-09 edition · updated 2026-10-04 · Los Angeles County

Cite as: Los Angeles County Municipal Code Chapter 4 · Text as of 2026-10-04

R401 - GENERAL R401.1 - Application.

. . .

Wood foundations in Seismic Design Category D 0 , D 1 , or D 2 shall not be permitted.

Exception: In non-occupied, single-story, detached storage sheds and similar uses other than carport or garage, provided the gross floor area does not exceed 200 square feet, the plate height does not exceed 12 feet in height above the grade plane at any point, and the maximum roof projection does not exceed 24 inches.

(Ord. 2025-0051 § 17, 2025.)

R403 - FOOTINGS R403.1.2 - Continuous footing in seismic design categories D , D and D .

Exterior walls and required interior braced wall panels of buildings located in Seismic Design Categories D 0 , D 1 and D 2 shall be supported by continuous solid or fully grouted masonry or concrete footings.

(Ord. 2025-0051 § 18, 2025.)

R403.1.3.6 - Isolated concrete footings.

In detached one- and two-family dwellings located in Seismic Design Category A, B, or C that are three stories or less in height and constructed with stud bearing walls, isolated plain concrete footings supporting columns or pedestals are permitted.

(Ord. 2025-0051 § 19, 2025.)

R403.1.5 - Slope.

The top surface of footings shall be level. The bottom surface of footings shall not have a slope exceeding 1 unit vertical in 10 units horizontal (10-percent slope). Footings shall be stepped where it is necessary to change the elevation of the top surface of the footings or where the slope of the bottom surface of the footings will exceed one unit vertical in 10 units horizontal (10- percent slope).

For structures located in Seismic Design Category D 0 , D 1 , or D 2 , stepped footings shall be reinforced with two No. 4 reinforcing bars. Two bars shall be located at the top and bottom of the footings as shown in Figure R403.1.5.

(Ord. 2025-0051 § 20, 2025.)

(Ord. 2025-0051 § 21, 2025.)

R404 - FOUNDATION AND RETAINING WALLS R404.2 - Wood foundation walls.

Wood foundation walls shall be constructed in accordance with the provisions of Sections R404.2.1 through R404.2.6 and with the details shown in Figures R403.1(2) and R403.1(3). Wood foundation walls shall not be used for structures located in Seismic Design Category D 0 , D 1 , or D 2 .

(Ord. 2025-0051 § 22, 2025.)

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Los Angeles County Municipal Code

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