Orange County, CA | 85-95 mph Design Wind Speed | CBC Title 24 | Seismic Dominates Design | Exposure B
Calculate Anaheim Wind Loads Now →Anaheim, located in Orange County, California, has low to moderate wind load requirements typical of Southern California inland areas. California uses the California Building Code (CBC), Title 24, which is based on the International Building Code (IBC) with California-specific amendments. Design wind speeds for Risk Category II structures in Anaheim typically range from 85-95 mph (3-second gust) depending on precise location and terrain.
Unlike coastal hurricane zones or tornado-prone regions, Anaheim faces minimal wind risk. The primary structural design concern in Anaheim is seismic loading, not wind. However, wind load calculations are still required for building permits, particularly for tall buildings, open structures, and components and cladding (C&C) design. Anaheim's inland location, approximately 10-15 miles from the Pacific Ocean, means the city experiences typical suburban wind conditions with substantial wind protection from buildings and vegetation.
Design Wind Speed (Risk Category II): 85-95 mph (3-second gust, inland Orange County)
Design Wind Speed (Risk Category III): ~95-105 mph
Design Wind Speed (Risk Category IV): ~105-115 mph
Exposure Category: B (suburban areas, most of Anaheim)
Building Code: California Building Code (CBC, Title 24)
Wind Load Standard: ASCE 7-22 (current edition)
County: Orange County
Design Priority: Seismic loading typically governs structural design
Notable Landmarks: Disneyland Resort, Honda Center, Angel Stadium of Anaheim
Anaheim's design wind speed of 85-95 mph for Risk Category II structures reflects the region's low wind climate and inland suburban location. Unlike Florida's hurricane-prone coast (130-185 mph) or the Gulf Coast (130-160 mph), Anaheim does not experience tropical cyclones or extreme wind events. The 85-95 mph velocity range is derived from ASCE 7-22 wind speed maps based on historical weather data and statistical analysis of extreme wind events in Orange County.
Anaheim's inland location provides substantial protection from coastal wind effects. The city is separated from the Pacific Ocean by several miles of dense suburban development, including cities like Garden Grove, Westminster, and Huntington Beach. This extensive urban development creates Exposure Category B conditions throughout most of Anaheim—characterized by numerous buildings, trees, and obstructions that reduce wind speeds at ground level and building height.
In Anaheim, seismic design requirements almost always govern structural design rather than wind loads. Orange County sits in a seismically active region with multiple nearby fault systems including the Newport-Inglewood Fault, Whittier Fault, and the more distant San Andreas Fault. This creates high seismicity that necessitates rigorous earthquake-resistant design. The California Building Code incorporates comprehensive seismic provisions that typically produce larger lateral forces and more stringent detailing requirements than wind loads.
However, wind load calculations are still mandatory for Anaheim building permits. Wind loads may control certain aspects of design including:
Calculating wind loads for Anaheim projects requires following ASCE 7-22 methodology as adopted by the California Building Code. The fundamental velocity pressure equation is:
qz = 0.00256 Kz Kzt Kd Ke V²
For Anaheim with V = 90 mph (typical central Anaheim) and standard conditions, the resulting pressures are low to moderate. An Anaheim project with:
Results in a velocity pressure of approximately qz = 12.2 psf—significantly lower than hurricane-prone regions (30-50+ psf) and lower than coastal California locations. This low velocity pressure reflects Anaheim's benign wind climate and well-protected suburban exposure.
California has a statewide building code—the California Building Code (CBC), Title 24—which is based on the International Building Code (IBC) with California-specific amendments. Anaheim uses the CBC with minimal local amendments specific to the City of Anaheim.
Key Anaheim building code considerations:
You can access Anaheim building permits and requirements through the City of Anaheim Planning and Building Department.
Anaheim projects must be classified into Risk Categories per ASCE 7-22 Table 1.5-1. Higher risk categories require increased design wind speeds:
| Risk Category | Anaheim Design Wind Speed | Building Types |
|---|---|---|
| Risk Category I | ~75-85 mph | Agricultural facilities, temporary structures, minor storage |
| Risk Category II | 85-95 mph | Residential, commercial, most standard occupancies |
| Risk Category III | ~95-105 mph | Schools, assembly >300, substantial hazardous materials |
| Risk Category IV | ~105-115 mph | Hospitals, fire stations, emergency shelters, EOCs |
Anaheim projects almost universally qualify as Exposure Category B due to dense suburban development throughout the city:
Exposure Category B (Suburban/Urban): Virtually all of Anaheim qualifies as Exposure B due to extensive suburban development with numerous buildings, trees, and other obstructions. Exposure B assumes urban and suburban areas with buildings having heights generally less than 30 feet extending more than 800 feet upwind. This includes all residential neighborhoods, commercial districts, the Anaheim Resort area, and industrial zones.
Dense Development: Anaheim's continuous suburban development provides substantial wind protection. The city has minimal open terrain or exposed areas that would qualify as Exposure C or D.
Inland Location: Anaheim's position approximately 10-15 miles from the Pacific Ocean means the city does not experience the coastal exposure conditions that might require Exposure C classification.
Anaheim is internationally known as the home of Disneyland Resort, the original Disney theme park. The Anaheim Resort District also includes the Anaheim Convention Center, Honda Center (home of the Anaheim Ducks NHL team), and Angel Stadium of Anaheim (home of the Los Angeles Angels MLB team). These major structures require comprehensive wind load analysis:
Despite comprehensive wind load requirements, seismic design typically still governs the lateral force-resisting systems for these structures due to Orange County's high seismicity.
Anaheim zip codes span the city with consistent wind speed requirements due to the uniform suburban exposure. Common Anaheim zip codes include:
The WindLoadCalc.com wind load calculator automatically applies the appropriate Anaheim wind speed based on your specific zip code or street address, accounting for elevation and local terrain conditions.
Wind load calculations for Anaheim building permits have specific PE requirements under California law:
Engineers, architects, and contractors should reference these official resources for Anaheim wind load compliance:
The wind load calculator at WindLoadCalc.com automatically applies all Anaheim-specific requirements:
WindLoadCalc.com automatically handles all Anaheim-specific requirements including the 85-95 mph design velocity, Exposure Category B selection, Risk Category adjustments, and component pressure coefficients. Simply enter your Anaheim project address or zip code for instant, accurate calculations.
Calculate Anaheim Wind Loads Now →Anaheim's wind load requirements differ from Orange County's exposed coastal areas:
| Requirement | Anaheim (Inland) | Orange County Coast |
|---|---|---|
| Design Wind Speed | 85-95 mph | 95-110 mph |
| Exposure Category | B (suburban) | C (coastal/open) |
| Primary Design Driver | Seismic (earthquakes) | Seismic (earthquakes) |
| Corrosion Protection | Standard | Enhanced (salt spray) |
| Distance from Ocean | 10-15 miles inland | 0-2 miles |
| Building Code | CBC Title 24 | CBC Title 24 |
Throughout Orange County, seismic design requirements typically govern structural design rather than wind loads. However, coastal areas experience higher wind speeds and more aggressive exposure conditions than inland suburban areas like Anaheim.
Anaheim's status as a major tourism destination creates unique structural engineering challenges beyond typical suburban development:
While wind loads are important for these structures, the governing design concern remains seismic performance due to Orange County's high seismicity.
WindLoadCalc.com provides instant, accurate wind load calculations for Anaheim projects. Our software automatically handles the 85-95 mph velocity range, Exposure B determination, and generates PE-ready reports for building permit submission to the City of Anaheim.
Try Anaheim Wind Load Calculator →