Los Angeles Municipal Code Art. 1.5 , Division 6 [wall Construction]

(Amended by Ord. No. 182,845, Eff. 1/3/14.)

Section

91.5.600 Basic Provisions.

(Amended by Ord. No. 187,719, Eff. 1/23/23.)

Chapter 6 of the CRC is hereby adopted by reference with the exceptions, modifications and additions set forth below.

91.5.602.3.2. (Readopted by Ord. No. 188,797, Eff. 12/31/25.) Wood stud walls shall be capped with a double top plate installed to provide overlapping at corners and intersections with bearing partitions. End joints in top plates shall be offset at least 24 inches (609.6 mm). Joints in plates need not occur over studs. Plates shall be not less than 2 inches (50.8 mm) nominal thickness and have a width at least equal to the width of the studs.

EXCEPTION: In other than Seismic Design Category D 0 , D 1 , or D 2 , a single top plate used as an alternative to a double top plate shall comply with the following:

1. The single top plate shall be tied at the corners, intersecting walls, and at in-line splices in straight wall lines in accordance with LAMC Table 91.5.602.3.2.

2. The rafters or joists are centered over the studs with a tolerance of no more than 1 inch (25 mm).

3. Omission of the top plate is permitted over headers where the headers are adequately tied to adjacent wall sections in accordance with LAMC Table 91.5.602.3.2.

Table 91.5.602.3.2 Single Top-Plate Splice Connection Details

(Readopted by Ord. No. 188,797, Eff. 12/31/25.)

For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 foot = 304.8 mm.

91.5.602.3.6. Use of staples. Use of staples in roof, floor, subfloor, and braced wall panels shall be prohibited in Seismic Design Category D 0 , D 1 , or D 2 . (Added by Ord. No. 188,797, Eff. 12/31/25.)

91.5.602.10.2.3. Minimum Number of Braced Wall Panels. Braced wall lines with a length of 16 feet (4877 mm) or less shall have not less than two braced wall panels of any length or one braced wall panel equal to 48 inches (1219 mm) or more. Braced wall lines greater than 16 feet (4877 mm) shall have not less than two braced wall panels. In Seismic Design Category D 0 , D 1 , or D 2 , no braced wall panel shall have a contributing length less than 48 inches in length or as required in Section R602.10.3, whichever is greater. (Amended by Ord. No. 188,797, Eff. 12/31/25.)

Table 91.5.602.10.3(3) Bracing Requirements Based on Seismic Design Category

(Amended by Ord. No. 188,797, Eff. 12/31/25.)

For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 foot = 305 mm, 1 pound per square foot = 0.0479 kPa.

a. Linear interpolation shall be permitted.

b. Interpolation of bracing length between the Sds values associated with the seismic design categories shall be permitted when a site-specific Sds value is determined in accordance with Section 1613.2 of the California Building Code.

c. Where the braced wall line length is greater than 50 feet, braced wall lines shall be permitted to be divided into shorter segments having lengths of 50 feet or less, and the amount of bracing within each segment shall be in accordance with this table.

d. Method LIB shall have gypsum board fastened to one side with nails or screws Table R602.3(1) for exterior sheathing or Table R702.3.5 for interior gypsum board. Spacing of fasteners at panel edges shall not exceed 8 inches.

Method LIB shall have gypsum board fastened to not less than one side with nails or screws in accordance with Table R602.3(1) for exterior sheathing or Table R702.3.5 for interior gypsum board. Spacing of fasteners at panel edges shall not exceed 8 inches.

e. Methods PFG and CS-SFB do not apply in Seismic Design Categories D0, D1 and D2.

f. Methods PFH, PFG and ABW are only permitted on a single story or a first of two stories.

g. Where more than one bracing method is used, mixing methods shall be in accordance with Section R602.10.4.1.

h. One- and two-family dwellings in Seismic Design Category D2 exceeding two stories shall be designed in accordance with accepted engineering practice.

i. Methods GB and PCP braced wall panel h/w ratio shall not exceed 1:1 in SDC D0, D1 and D2. Methods DWB, SFB, PBS, HPS, and CS-SFB are not permitted in D0, D1 and D2.

Table 91.5.602.10.4 Bracing Methods f

(Amended by Ord. No. 188,797, Eff. 12/31/25.)

For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 foot = 305 mm, 1 degree = 0.0175 rad, 1 pound per square foot = 47.8 N/m2, 1 mile per hour = 0.447 m/s.

a. Adhesive attachment of wall sheathing, including Method GB, shall not be permitted in Seismic Design Categories C, D0, D1 and D2.

b. Applies to panels next to garage door opening when supporting gable end wall or roof load only. May only be used on one wall of the garage. In Seismic Design Categories D0, D1 and D2, roof covering dead load may not exceed 3 psf.

c. Garage openings adjacent to a Method CS-G panel shall be provided with a header in accordance with CRC Table 602.7(1). A full height clear opening shall not be permitted adjacent to a Method CS-G panel.

d. Method CS-SFB does not apply in Seismic Design Categories D0, D1 and D2 and in areas where the wind speed exceeds 100 mph.

e. Method applies to detached one- and two-family dwellings in Seismic Design Categories D0 through D2 only.

f. Methods GB and PCP braced wall panel h/d ratio shall not exceed 1:1 in SDC D0, D1, and D2. Methods LIB, DWB, SFB, PBS, HPS, and PFG are not permitted in SDC D0, D1, and D2.

g. Use of stapes in braced wall panels shall be prohibited in SDC D0, D1 and D2.

Table 91.5.602.10.5 Minimum Length Of Braced Wall Panels

(Amended by Ord. No. 188,797, Eff. 12/31/25.)

For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 mile per hour = 0.447 m/s.

NP = Not Permitted.

a. Linear interpolation shall be permitted.

b. Use the actual length when it is greater than or equal to the minimum length. The actual length of Methods CS-G, CS-WSP, CS-SFB, PFH, PFG and CS-PF is the length of the full-height sheathed section.

c. Maximum header height for PFH is 10 feet (3048 mm) in accordance with CRC Figure R602.10.6.2, but wall height may be increased to 12 feet (3657.6 mm) with pony wall.

\d. Maximum opening height for PFG is 10 feet (3048 mm) in accordance with CRC Figure R602.10.6.3, but wall height may be increased to 12 feet (3657.6 mm) with pony wall.

e. Maximum opening height for CS-PF is 10 feet (3048 mm) in accordance with CRC Figure R602.10.6.4, but wall height may be increased to 12 feet (3657.6 mm) with pony wall.

[Figure]

Figure 91.5.602.10.6.1 Method ABW – Alternate Braced Wall Panel

(Readopted by Ord. No. 188,797, Eff. 12/31/25.)

[Figure]

Figure 91.5.602.10.6.2 Method PFH – Portal Frame with Hold-downs at Garage Door Openings

(Readopted by Ord. No. 188,797, Eff. 12/31/25.)

[Figure]

Figure 91.5.602.10.6.4 Method CS-PF – Continuously Sheathed Portal Frame Construction

(Readopted by Ord. No. 188,797, Eff. 12/31/25.)

91.5.606.12.2.2.3. Reinforcement of Requirements for Masonry Elements. (Readopted by Ord. No. 188,797, Eff. 12/31/25.) Masonry elements listed in CRC Section R606.12.2.2.2 shall be reinforced in either the horizontal or vertical direction as shown in CRC Figure R606.11(2) and in accordance with the following:

1. Horizontal reinforcement. Horizontal joint reinforcement shall consist of at least one No. 4 bar spaced not more than 48 inches (1219 mm). Horizontal reinforcement shall be provided within 16 inches (406 mm) of the top and bottom of these masonry elements.

2. Vertical reinforcement. Vertical reinforcement shall consist of at least one No. 4 bar spaced not more than 48 inches (1219 mm). Vertical reinforcement shall be within 16 inches (406 mm) of the ends of masonry walls.