2306.3 Wood-frame shear walls. Wood-frame shear walls shall be designed and

constructed in accordance with AWC SDPWS. Where panels are fastened to framing members with staples, requirements and limitations of AWC SDPWS shall be met and the allowable shear values set forth in Table 2306.3(1), 2306.3(2) or 2306.3(3) shall be permitted. The allowable shear values in Tables 2306.3(1) and 2306.3(2) are permitted to be increased 40 percent for wind design. Panels complying with ANSI/APA PRP-210 shall be permitted to use design values for Plywood Siding in the AWC SDPWS. Shear walls sheathed with Portland cement plaster, gypsum lath, gypsum sheathing or gypsum board shall not be used to resist seismic forces in structures assigned to Seismic design Category D, E or F.

(c) Section 2308.6.8.1 of the 2025 California Building Code is amended as follows:

2308.6.8.1 Foundation Requirements. Braced wall lines shall be supported by continuous
foundations.

Exceptions:

1. One-story buildings with maximum plan dimension not exceeding 50 feet
(15,240 mm), may have continuous foundations located at exterior braced
wall lines only.
2. Two-story buildings with a maximum plan dimension not exceeding 50
feet (15,240 mm) may have braced wall lines supported on continuous
foundations at the exterior walls only, provided:
a. Cripple walls do not exceed 4 feet (1,219 mm) in height.
b. Where the first story is supported on a raised wood framed
floor, the interior braced wall panels are directly supported
by either doubled joists, continuous 4x blocking or minimum
4x floor beams.