GEORGIA · FULTON COUNTY
Atlanta Wind Load Requirements
Inland piedmont design loads for severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, and tropical remnants — built on the Georgia State Minimum Standard Codes and ASCE 7-22.
INLAND PIEDMONT · LOWER WIND
A city in the forest, away from the coast
Atlanta sits well inland over rolling piedmont terrain. Wind speeds stay moderate, but severe convective storms and weakened tropical systems still drive real design loads.
No direct hurricane landfall — the controlling hazards are straight-line thunderstorm winds, occasional tornadoes, and inland-tracking tropical remnants.
WIND & EXPOSURE CONTEXT
What drives the design numbers
Risk category selects the map you read V from; higher categories pull from longer return-period maps and higher speeds.
Severe Thunderstorms
Spring and summer storms deliver damaging straight-line winds across the metro.
STRAIGHT-LINETornado Risk
The March 2008 EF2 struck downtown, damaging high-rises and the Georgia Dome.
EF2 2008Tropical Remnants
Weakened systems track inland through Georgia, still gusting past 70 mph.
INLAND TRACKExposure B
Dense development and the urban tree canopy firmly set Exposure B across the metro.
URBAN/SUBURBAN| Risk Category | Atlanta Design Wind Speed | Building Types |
|---|---|---|
| Risk Category I | ~100–105 mph | Agricultural, temporary, minor storage |
| Risk Category II | 105–115 mph | Residential, commercial, standard occupancy |
| Risk Category III | ~120–130 mph | Schools, assembly >300, hazardous materials |
| Risk Category IV | ~130–140 mph | Hospitals, fire stations, shelters, EOCs |
COMPLIANCE CHECKLIST
What you need to comply in Atlanta
Six things every Fulton County permit set should nail down before submission.
Design Wind Speed
Read 105–115 mph (Risk II, 3-second gust) from the ASCE 7-22 maps for your site.
105–115 MPHExposure Category
Use Exposure B for urban and suburban sites; rare open terrain may warrant C.
EXPOSURE BRisk Category
Classify per ASCE 7-22 Table 1.5-1 — schools and hospitals read higher speeds.
TABLE 1.5-1Topographic Factor
Piedmont hills and ridges can push Kzt above 1.0 — check ASCE 7-22 Section 26.8.
Kzt > 1.0Georgia Code & Permits
Georgia State Minimum Standard Codes adopt the IBC, referencing ASCE 7-22.
IBC · ASCE 7-22PE Seal
Commercial and complex projects need calcs sealed by a Georgia-licensed PE.
GA PEINLAND VS COASTAL
Atlanta vs coastal Georgia
Inland Atlanta carries far lower loads and no wind-borne-debris mandate compared with the coast.
| Requirement | Atlanta (Inland) | Coastal Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Design Wind Speed | 105–115 mph | 140–160 mph |
| Exposure Category | Primarily B (urban) | C or D required |
| Wind-Borne Debris | Not required | Impact protection required |
| Hurricane Impact Zone | Not applicable | Required compliance |
| Primary Risk | Thunderstorms, tornadoes, tropical remnants | Hurricanes, tropical storms |
NEARBY & STATEWIDE
Explore Georgia wind requirements
The broader metro shares Atlanta's 105–115 mph speeds and Exposure B conditions.
Georgia Statewide
Full Georgia wind load requirements and code adoption details.
STATE GUIDEAll States
Browse wind load requirements for every U.S. state.
DIRECTORYWind Speed by Location
Look up basic wind speed for any U.S. address or zip code.
LOOKUPCity of Atlanta Planning
Building inspection & permits within city limits.
OFFICIALFulton County Building
Building & development permits for unincorporated Fulton.
OFFICIALGeorgia PE Board
Professional Engineer & Land Surveyor licensing.
OFFICIALGeorgia DCA Codes
State construction codes & enforcement.
OFFICIALRUN THE NUMBERS
Automate your Atlanta wind loads
Enter any Atlanta address or zip code for the 105–115 mph velocity, Exposure B assignment, and PE-ready ASCE 7-22 reports.