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Title 16 — BUILDING REGULATIONS›Chapter 16.04 — CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE, CALIFORNIA CODE OF

1809.7 Prescriptive footings for light-frame construction.

Palo Alto Municipal Code · 2026-09 edition · updated 2026-09-29 · Palo Alto

Where a specific design is not provided, concrete or masonry-unit footings

supporting walls of light-frame construction shall be permitted to be designed in accordance with Table 1809.7.

TABLE 1809.7

Prescriptive Footings Supporting Walls of Light-Frame Constructionabcd

Depth of Foundation
Thickness of Number of Floors Supported by the Width of Footing Thickness of Footing Below Natural
Foundation Wall
Footinge (inches) (inches) Surface of Ground or (inches)
Finish Grade (inches)

1 & 2 8 15 8 20
3 8 18 8 30
Group U Occupancies 8 12 8 12
ADU Conversionsf 8 12 8 12

a. Ground under the floor shall be permitted to be excavated to elevation of footing.

b. Interior stud-bearing walls shall be permitted to be supported by isolated footings. Footing width and length shall be twice the width shown in this table, and footings shall be spaced not more than 6 feet on center.

c. See Section 1905 for additional requirements for concrete footings of structures assigned to Seismic Design Category C, D, E or F.

d. All foundations as required in the above Table shall be continuous and have a minimum of three #4 bars of reinforcing steel, except for one story, detached accessory buildings of Group U occupancy where two bars are required.

e. Footings shall be permitted to support a roof in addition to the stipulated number of floors. Footings supporting roof only shall be as required for supporting one floor.

f. If existing detached accessory building is being converted to an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) and the existing foundation is being utilized, then a designer, architect or engineer shall provide a letter that the existing foundation complies with the conditions above and is deemed structurally sound.

(Ord. 5674 § 1 (part), 2025)

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▸Contents — Palo Alto Municipal Code
Palo Alto Municipal Code
  1. Article VIII — A. Board of Education
  2. Title 1 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
  3. Title 2 — ADMINISTRATIVE CODE
  4. Title 4 — BUSINESS LICENSES AND REGULATIONS
  5. Title 5 — HEALTH AND SANITATION
  6. Title 6 — ANIMALS
  7. Title 8 — TREES AND VEGETATION
  8. Title 9 — PUBLIC PEACE, MORALS AND SAFETY
  9. Title 10 — VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC
  10. Title 11 — ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT PROCEDURE
  11. Title 12 — PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES
  12. Title 13 — IMPROVEMENT PROCEDURE
  13. Title 15 — FIRE PREVENTION
  14. ▸Title 16 — BUILDING REGULATIONS
    Overview
    1. 16.04 California Building Code, California Code of Regulations…
    2. 16.05 California Mechanical Code, California Code of Regulatio…
    3. 16.08 California Plumbing Code, California Code of Regulations…
    4. 16.09 Sewer Use Ordinance
    5. 16.10 Private Sewage Disposal Systems
    6. 16.11 Stormwater Pollution Prevention
    7. 16.12 Recycled Water
    8. 16.13 Requirements for Food Facilities Related to Water Pollut…
    9. 16.14 California Green Building Standards Code, California Cod…
    10. 16.15 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
    11. 16.17 California Energy Code, California Code of Regulations, …
    12. 16.19 California Historical Building Code, California Code of …
    13. 16.20 Signs
    14. 16.24 Fences
    15. 16.28 Excavations, Grading and Fills
    16. 16.32 Moving and Relocating Buildings
    17. 16.36 House Numbering
    18. 16.38 Certificate of Use and Occupancy for Community Housing
    19. 16.40 Unsafe Buildings
    20. 16.42 Seismic Hazards Identification Program
    21. 16.44 Fallout Shelters
    22. 16.45 Transportation Impact Fee for New Nonresidential Develop…
    23. 16.46 Approval of Projects with Impacts on Traffic in the San …
    24. 16.47 Reserved
    25. 16.48 Reserved
    26. 16.49 Historic Preservation
    27. 16.50 Reserved
    28. 16.52 Flood Hazard Regulations
    29. 16.56 Handicapped Access Regulations - Appeal
    30. 16.57 In-Lieu Parking Fee for New Nonresidential Development i…
    31. 16.58 Development Impact Fees
    32. 16.59 Citywide Transportation Impact Fee
    33. 16.60 Charleston Arastradero Corridor Pedestrian and Bicyclist…
    34. 16.61 Public Art for Private Developments
    35. 16.62 Expired Permits for Residential Construction and Demolit…
    36. 16.63 Small Residential Rooftop Solar Energy Systems
    37. 16.64 Development Fee and In-lieu Payment Administration
    38. 16.65 Citywide Affordable Housing Requirements
    39. 16.66 Hauled Liquid Waste
    40. ▸Chapter 16.04 — CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE, CALIFORNIA CODE OF
      Overview
      1. 1.1 Aisles.
      2. 1.2 Corridors.
      3. 1.3 Exit access stairways and ramps.
      4. 2.2 Interior and exterior exit stairways and ramps.
      5. 2.4 Vestibules and areas on the level of discharge used for ex…
      6. 2.5 Exterior landings as required by Section 1010.1.5 for exit…
      7. 2.6 Group I-2 exit discharge stairways, ramps, aisles, walkway…
      8. 3.1. Electrical equipment rooms.
      9. 3.2. Fire command centers.
      10. 3.3. Fire pump rooms.
      11. 3.4. Generator rooms.
      12. 3.5. Public restrooms.
      13. 1031.2 Where required. In addition to the means of egress requ…
      14. 1208.6 Dwelling unit and congregate residence superficial floo…
      15. 1613.8 Suspended ceilings. Minimum design and installation sta…
      16. 1705.3 Concrete construction. The special inspections and test…
      17. 2.2. The footings are designed in accordance with Table 1809.7…
      18. 2.3. The structural design of the footing is based on a specif…
      19. 1803.2 Investigations required. Geotechnical investigations sh…
      20. 1809.7 Prescriptive footings for light-frame construction. Whe…
      21. 1901.2 Plain and reinforced concrete. Structural concrete shal…
      22. 1907.1 Structural slabs-on-ground.
      23. 1907.2 Nonstructural slabs-on-ground. Nonstructural slabs-on-g…
      24. 3304.1 Excavation and fill. Excavation and fill for buildings …
    41. Chapter 16.05 — CALIFORNIA MECHANICAL CODE, CALIFORNIA CODE OF
    42. Chapter 16.08 — CALIFORNIA PLUMBING CODE, CALIFORNIA CODE OF
    43. Chapter 16.09 — SEWER USE ORDINANCE
    44. Chapter 16.10 — PRIVATE SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEMS
    45. Chapter 16.11 — STORMWATER POLLUTION PREVENTION
    46. Part 2 — General Provisions
    47. Part 3 — Development Projects
    48. Part 10 — Copper Controls
    49. Part 3 — Development Projects
    50. Part 4 — Required Best Management Practices for All Dischargers
    51. Part 5 — Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination and Mobil…
    52. Part 6 — Pesticides Toxicity Control
    53. Part 7 — Trash Load Reductions
    54. Part 8 — Mercury Controls
    55. Part 9 — Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) Controls
    56. Part 10 — Copper Controls
    57. Chapter 16.12 — RECYCLED WATER
    58. Chapter 16.13 — REQUIREMENTS FOR FOOD FACILITIES RELATED TO WA…
    59. Part 6 — Rooftop Grease Containment System Requirements
    60. Part 11 — Food Facility Closure or Ownership Change
    61. Part 3 — Authority to Inspect and Enforce
    62. Part 4 — Prohibited Discharges, Devices, and Connections
    63. Part 5 — Grease Control Device Requirements
    64. Part 6 — Rooftop Grease Containment System Requirements
    65. Part 7 — Waste Oil Management Requirements
    66. Part 8 — Spill Response Requirements
    67. Part 9 — Best Management Practices for Existing Facilities
    68. Part 10 — Mobile Food Facilities
    69. Part 11 — Food Facility Closure or Ownership Change
    70. Chapter 16.14 — CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE,
    71. Part 1 — General
    72. Chapter 4 — RESIDENTIAL
    73. Chapter 7 — INSTALLER AND SPECIAL
    74. Part 7 — Local Modifications to
    75. Chapter 5 — NONRESIDENTIAL
    76. Part 9 — Local Modifications to
    77. Part 1 — General
    78. Chapter 1 — ADMINISTRATION
    79. Chapter 2 — DEFINITIONS
    80. Chapter 3 — GREEN BUILDING
    81. Chapter 4 — RESIDENTIAL MANDATORY MEASURES
    82. Chapter 7 — INSTALLER AND SPECIAL INSPECTOR QUALIFICATIONS
    83. Part 7 — Local Modifications to
    84. Chapter 5 — NONRESIDENTIAL MANDATORY MEASURES
    85. Part 9 — Local Modifications to
    86. Chapter 16.16 — CALIFORNIA ELECTRICAL CODE, CALIFORNIA CODE OF
    87. Chapter 16.17 — CALIFORNIA ENERGY CODE, CALIFORNIA CODE OF
    88. Chapter 16.19 — CALIFORNIA HISTORICAL BUILDING CODE, CALIFORNI…
    89. Chapter 16.20 — SIGNS
    90. Chapter 16.20 — Table 1
    91. Chapter 16.20 — Table 2
    92. Chapter 16.20 — Table 2
    93. Chapter 16.20 — Table 3
    94. Chapter 16.24 — FENCES
    95. Chapter 16.28 — GRADING AND EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL
    96. Chapter 16.32 — MOVING AND RELOCATING BUILDINGS
    97. Chapter 16.36 — HOUSE NUMBERING
    98. Chapter 16.38 — CERTIFICATE OF USE AND OCCUPANCY FOR COMMUNITY
    99. Chapter 16.40 — UNSAFE BUILDINGS
    100. Chapter 16.44 — FALLOUT SHELTERS
    101. Chapter 16.45 — TRANSPORTATION IMPACT FEE FOR NEW NONRESIDENTIAL
    102. Chapter 16.46 — APPROVAL OF PROJECTS WITH IMPACTS ON TRAFFIC I…
    103. Chapter 16.48 — RESERVED
    104. Chapter 16.49 — HISTORIC PRESERVATION
    105. Chapter 16.50 — RESERVED
    106. Chapter 16.52 — FLOOD HAZARD REGULATIONS
    107. Chapter 16.56 — HANDICAPPED ACCESS REGULATIONS - APPEAL
    108. Chapter 16.57 — IN-LIEU PARKING FEE FOR NEW NONRESIDENTIAL DEV…
    109. Chapter 16.58 — DEVELOPMENT IMPACT FEES
    110. Chapter 16.59 — CITYWIDE TRANSPORTATION IMPACT FEE
    111. Chapter 16.60 — CHARLESTON ARASTRADERO CORRIDOR PEDESTRIAN
    112. Chapter 16.61 — PUBLIC ART FOR PRIVATE DEVELOPMENTS
    113. Chapter 16.62 — EXPIRED PERMITS FOR RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION AND
    114. Chapter 16.63 — SMALL RESIDENTIAL ROOFTOP SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS
    115. Chapter 16.64 — DEVELOPMENT FEE AND IN-LIEU PAYMENT ADMINISTRA…
    116. Chapter 16.66 — HAULED LIQUID WASTE
  15. Title 17 — HAZARDOUS MATERIALS STORAGE
  16. Title 18 — ZONING
  17. Title 19 — MASTER PLAN
  18. Article 7 — AUTHORITY FOR AND SCOPE OF MASTER OR GENERAL PLANS.
  19. Article 8 — PROCEDURE FOR ADOPTION OF MASTER OR GENERAL PLAN.
  20. Chapter 19.06 — SPECIFIC PLANS
  21. Chapter 19.10 — COORDINATED AREA PLANS
  22. Title 20 — PRECISE PLANS
  23. Title 21 — SUBDIVISIONS AND OTHER DIVISIONS OF LAND
  24. Title 22 — PARKS

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