Los Angeles County, CA | 90-100 mph Design Wind Speed | California Building Code (CBC) | Port of Long Beach | Exposure B/C/D | Seismic Dominates
Calculate Long Beach Wind Loads Now →Long Beach, located in Los Angeles County, California, has moderate wind load requirements due to its coastal climate and low risk of extreme wind events. California uses the California Building Code (CBC), also known as Title 24, which is based on the International Building Code (IBC) with California-specific amendments. Design wind speeds for Risk Category II structures typically range from 90-100 mph (3-second gust) depending on location and coastal exposure, with urban areas generally at the lower end and exposed coastal and port areas at the higher end.
These requirements reflect Long Beach's temperate coastal climate and relatively low risk for hurricanes, tornadoes, or severe wind events compared to Gulf Coast and Atlantic coastal cities. However, Long Beach is home to the Port of Long Beach, the second-busiest container port in the United States, which requires careful attention to wind loads for port infrastructure, cranes, and high-occupancy waterfront structures. In Long Beach, seismic design typically governs structural requirements rather than wind loads, as the region is located in a high seismic zone near major fault lines including the Newport-Inglewood and Palos Verdes faults.
Design Wind Speed (Risk Category II): 90-100 mph (3-second gust, varies by location)
Design Wind Speed (Risk Category III): ~105-115 mph
Design Wind Speed (Risk Category IV): ~115-130 mph
Exposure Category: B (urban/suburban), C (coastal areas), or D (near ocean/port)
Building Code: California Building Code (CBC, Title 24)
Wind Load Standard: ASCE 7-22 (current edition)
County: Los Angeles County
Special Considerations: Port of Long Beach (2nd busiest US port), Queen Mary historic ship, coastal exposure, oil industry heritage, seismic design typically governs
Long Beach's design wind speed of 90-100 mph for Risk Category II structures reflects the city's favorable coastal climate and low risk of extreme wind events. Unlike Gulf Coast and Atlantic coastal cities, Long Beach is protected from hurricanes by cold Pacific Ocean currents and does not experience tornado activity common in the central United States. The wind speed requirements account for occasional strong Pacific storm events and coastal exposure, but are significantly lower than hurricane-prone regions.
Long Beach's mild coastal climate means wind loads are rarely the governing factor in structural design. Instead, seismic considerations dominate due to the region's proximity to the Newport-Inglewood Fault (which runs directly through Long Beach), the Palos Verdes Fault offshore, and the larger San Andreas Fault system. Engineers designing for Long Beach must balance both wind and seismic requirements, with seismic forces typically controlling structural system design while wind loads influence cladding, roofing, and component design—particularly for port structures and waterfront facilities.
The Port of Long Beach is the second-busiest container port in the United States, handling over 9 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) annually. The port's massive infrastructure presents unique wind load engineering challenges:
Port of Long Beach projects should carefully evaluate Exposure Category D requirements where applicable and consider both normal operational wind speeds (for crane tie-down procedures) and ultimate design wind speeds per ASCE 7-22.
Calculating wind loads for Long Beach projects requires following ASCE 7-22 methodology as adopted by the California Building Code (CBC). The fundamental velocity pressure equation is:
qz = 0.00256 Kz Kzt Kd Ke V²
For Long Beach with V = 95 mph (typical urban Long Beach) and standard conditions, the resulting pressures are moderate. A Long Beach project with:
Results in a velocity pressure of approximately qz = 16.4 psf—significantly lower than hurricane-prone regions and even lower than many inland cities prone to severe thunderstorm winds.
For coastal Long Beach areas along San Pedro Bay and the Pacific Ocean using Exposure C or D, the pressures increase substantially due to the higher velocity pressure coefficients for open terrain and waterfront exposure, potentially doubling the base pressure in the most exposed port areas.
California has a statewide building code—the California Building Code (CBC, Title 24)—which is based on the International Building Code (IBC) with extensive California-specific amendments addressing seismic design, energy efficiency, and accessibility. Long Beach adopts the CBC with minimal local amendments.
Key Long Beach building code considerations:
You can access Long Beach building permits and requirements through the City of Long Beach Development Services Department.
Long Beach 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 | Long Beach Design Wind Speed | Building Types |
|---|---|---|
| Risk Category I | ~80-90 mph | Agricultural facilities, temporary structures, minor storage |
| Risk Category II | 90-100 mph | Residential, commercial, most standard occupancies |
| Risk Category III | ~105-115 mph | Schools, assembly >300, substantial hazardous materials, port terminals |
| Risk Category IV | ~115-130 mph | Hospitals, fire stations, emergency shelters, critical port facilities |
Long Beach projects require careful Exposure Category determination based on surrounding terrain and proximity to the Pacific Ocean and port areas:
Exposure Category B (Urban/Suburban): Most of inland Long Beach qualifies as Exposure B due to dense urban and 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.
Exposure Category C (Coastal/Open): Areas immediately along the Pacific Ocean coastline, Alamitos Bay, and certain beach areas may qualify as Exposure C. This includes coastal areas with open terrain and scattered obstructions having heights generally less than 30 feet. Exposure C produces significantly higher wind pressures than Exposure B.
Exposure Category D (Port/Waterfront): Port of Long Beach areas directly adjacent to San Pedro Bay, including container terminals, piers, and wharf structures, may qualify as Exposure D. This is the most severe exposure category for flat, unobstructed areas exposed to large bodies of water extending more than 5,000 feet upwind. Exposure D produces the highest wind pressures.
Engineering Judgment Required: The transition between Exposure B, C, and D in Long Beach's coastal and port areas requires professional engineering judgment. Waterfront projects should carefully evaluate upwind terrain characteristics for each wind direction and consider the most critical exposure case.
Long Beach is home to the RMS Queen Mary, the historic British ocean liner permanently moored in Long Beach Harbor and operating as a hotel and museum. The Queen Mary and other historic structures in Long Beach present unique wind load considerations:
While this page focuses on wind loads, it is critical to understand that seismic design typically governs structural requirements in Long Beach. The region is located in a very high seismic zone with several active fault systems:
In most Long Beach projects, seismic forces control the design of the main lateral force resisting system (MWFRS), while wind loads govern cladding and component design. Engineers must evaluate both wind and seismic load cases and design for the most critical conditions. Port structures require particularly careful analysis due to potential soil liquefaction near the waterfront.
Long Beach zip codes span from coastal areas to inland neighborhoods with varying wind speed requirements based on terrain and exposure. Common Long Beach zip codes include:
The WindLoadCalc.com wind load calculator automatically applies the appropriate Long Beach wind speed based on your specific zip code or street address, accounting for coastal proximity, port exposure, and local terrain conditions.
California has stringent Professional Engineer licensing requirements for structural design:
California's PE requirements are among the most stringent in the United States, reflecting the state's high seismic risk and emphasis on life safety.
Engineers, architects, and contractors should reference these official resources for Long Beach wind load compliance:
The wind load calculator at WindLoadCalc.com automatically applies all Long Beach-specific requirements:
WindLoadCalc.com automatically handles all Long Beach-specific requirements including the 90-100 mph design velocity, appropriate Exposure Category selection (B/C/D), Risk Category adjustments, and component pressure coefficients. Simply enter your Long Beach project address or zip code for instant, accurate calculations.
Calculate Long Beach Wind Loads Now →Long Beach's wind load requirements are similar to other Southern California coastal areas but lower than more exposed Northern California locations:
| Requirement | Long Beach | San Diego | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design Wind Speed | 90-100 mph | 95-110 mph | 85-100 mph |
| Exposure Category | B/C/D (port areas) | B/C | Primarily B |
| Climate | Mild Mediterranean coastal | Mild Mediterranean coastal | Mediterranean coastal/inland |
| Seismic Zone | Very High (SDC D/E) | High (SDC D/E) | Very High (SDC D/E) |
| Governing Design | Typically seismic | Typically seismic | Typically seismic |
| Building Code | California Building Code (CBC) | California Building Code (CBC) | California Building Code (CBC) |
Throughout Southern California, seismic design typically governs structural system design, but wind loads remain important for cladding, roofing systems, and component design. Long Beach's moderate wind speeds and mild climate, combined with the economic benefits of its major port, make it an attractive location for development despite the high seismic risk.
Long Beach has a significant oil industry heritage with numerous active and abandoned oil wells throughout the city, including offshore platforms. Industrial structures related to oil production present unique wind load considerations:
Engineers working on industrial projects in Long Beach should consult both ASCE 7 building code provisions and industry-specific standards (API, ASME) as applicable.
While Long Beach does not experience hurricanes, the city is subject to Pacific storm systems that can produce strong winds, particularly during winter months. Key weather considerations include:
The ASCE 7-22 design wind speeds for Long Beach account for all expected wind phenomena including winter Pacific storms and occasional Santa Ana events.
WindLoadCalc.com provides instant, accurate wind load calculations for Long Beach projects. Our software automatically handles the 90-100 mph velocity range, Exposure B/C/D determination, port structure considerations, and generates PE-ready reports for California building permit submission.
Try Long Beach Wind Load Calculator →