Los Angeles County, CA | 95-110 mph Design Wind Speed | CBC Title 24 | Seismic Dominates Design | Exposure B/C
Calculate Los Angeles Wind Loads Now →Los Angeles, located in Los Angeles County, California, has relatively moderate wind load requirements compared to hurricane-prone coastal regions. 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 Los Angeles typically range from 95-110 mph (3-second gust) depending on precise location, terrain, and elevation.
Unlike coastal hurricane zones or tornado-prone regions, Los Angeles faces low to moderate wind risk. The primary structural design concern in Los Angeles 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. Los Angeles is known for Santa Ana winds—hot, dry, high-velocity winds that create extreme wildfire risk but typically do not generate the sustained high wind speeds that drive structural wind load design.
Design Wind Speed (Risk Category II): 95-110 mph (3-second gust, varies by location and terrain)
Design Wind Speed (Risk Category III): ~105-120 mph
Design Wind Speed (Risk Category IV): ~115-130 mph
Exposure Category: B (urban areas), C (coastal areas like Santa Monica)
Building Code: California Building Code (CBC, Title 24)
Wind Load Standard: ASCE 7-22 (current edition)
County: Los Angeles County
Design Priority: Seismic loading typically governs structural design
Notable Wind Events: Santa Ana winds (wildfire risk, not structural wind loads)
Los Angeles's design wind speed of 95-110 mph for Risk Category II structures reflects the region's moderate wind climate. Unlike Florida's hurricane-prone coast (130-185 mph) or the Gulf Coast (130-160 mph), Los Angeles does not experience tropical cyclones or extreme wind events. The 95-110 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 Southern California.
While Los Angeles is famous for Santa Ana winds—strong, dry, downslope winds that occur from September through May—these events are more significant for wildfire danger than structural wind loads. Santa Ana winds can produce gusts of 40-70 mph (occasionally higher in mountain passes and canyons), but these velocities are well below the design wind speeds specified in ASCE 7. The primary structural concern from Santa Ana winds is their role in spreading wildfires, not direct wind damage to buildings.
In Los Angeles, seismic design requirements almost always govern structural design rather than wind loads. Los Angeles sits near multiple active fault systems including the San Andreas Fault, creating 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 Los Angeles building permits. Wind loads may control certain aspects of design including:
Calculating wind loads for Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles with V = 100 mph (typical central LA) and standard conditions, the resulting pressures are moderate. A Los Angeles project with:
Results in a velocity pressure of approximately qz = 15.3 psf—significantly lower than hurricane-prone regions (30-50+ psf) but still important for C&C design and tall buildings.
For coastal Los Angeles areas like Santa Monica, Malibu, and Venice Beach using Exposure C (open terrain near the ocean), the pressures increase due to the higher velocity pressure coefficient for open 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. Los Angeles uses the CBC with minimal local amendments specific to the City of Los Angeles.
Key Los Angeles building code considerations:
You can access Los Angeles building permits and requirements through the City of Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS).
Los Angeles 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 | Los Angeles Design Wind Speed | Building Types |
|---|---|---|
| Risk Category I | ~85-100 mph | Agricultural facilities, temporary structures, minor storage |
| Risk Category II | 95-110 mph | Residential, commercial, most standard occupancies |
| Risk Category III | ~105-120 mph | Schools, assembly >300, substantial hazardous materials |
| Risk Category IV | ~115-130 mph | Hospitals, fire stations, emergency shelters, EOCs |
Los Angeles projects require careful Exposure Category determination based on surrounding terrain and proximity to the Pacific Ocean:
Exposure Category B (Urban/Inland): Most of Los Angeles qualifies as Exposure B due to dense urban 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 downtown LA, Hollywood, San Fernando Valley, and inland neighborhoods.
Exposure Category C (Coastal/Open): Coastal areas like Santa Monica, Venice Beach, Malibu, Marina del Rey, and Long Beach near the ocean may qualify as Exposure C. This includes coastal areas with open terrain (ocean) and scattered obstructions. Exposure C produces significantly higher wind pressures than Exposure B.
Engineering Judgment Required: The transition between Exposure B and C in Los Angeles's coastal areas requires professional engineering judgment. Generally, properties within 1-2 blocks of the ocean should be evaluated as Exposure C.
Los Angeles is famous for Santa Ana winds—hot, dry, gusty winds that blow from the interior deserts toward the coast, typically from September through May. While these winds are a critical concern for wildfire risk and air quality, they generally do not produce the sustained high wind speeds that govern structural design.
Santa Ana Wind Characteristics:
The design wind speeds specified in ASCE 7-22 (95-110 mph for LA) are based on statistical analysis of extreme wind events including Santa Ana winds. Buildings designed to these standards have adequate resistance to Santa Ana wind pressures. The primary Santa Ana concern for buildings is ember intrusion and wildfire exposure, not direct wind damage.
Downtown Los Angeles has numerous high-rise buildings, including iconic structures like U.S. Bank Tower, Wilshire Grand Center, and Aon Center. For these tall buildings, wind load analysis becomes more complex and critical:
Despite wind load considerations, seismic design still typically governs the lateral force-resisting system for Los Angeles high-rises due to the region's high seismicity.
Los Angeles zip codes span a large geographic area with varying wind speed requirements based on elevation, terrain, and proximity to the coast. Common Los Angeles zip codes include:
The WindLoadCalc.com wind load calculator automatically applies the appropriate Los Angeles wind speed based on your specific zip code or street address, accounting for proximity to the coast, elevation, and local terrain conditions.
Wind load calculations for Los Angeles building permits have specific PE requirements under California law:
Engineers, architects, and contractors should reference these official resources for Los Angeles wind load compliance:
The wind load calculator at WindLoadCalc.com automatically applies all Los Angeles-specific requirements:
WindLoadCalc.com automatically handles all Los Angeles-specific requirements including the 95-110 mph design velocity, appropriate Exposure Category selection, Risk Category adjustments, and component pressure coefficients. Simply enter your Los Angeles project address or zip code for instant, accurate calculations.
Calculate Los Angeles Wind Loads Now →Los Angeles's wind load requirements differ from California's exposed coastal areas:
| Requirement | Los Angeles (Inland) | California Coast (Exposed) |
|---|---|---|
| Design Wind Speed | 95-110 mph | 100-125 mph |
| Exposure Category | Primarily B, some coastal C | C or D (very exposed) |
| Primary Design Driver | Seismic (earthquakes) | Seismic (earthquakes) |
| Corrosion Protection | Standard | Enhanced (salt spray) |
| Wildfire Risk | High (Santa Ana winds) | Moderate to High |
| Building Code | CBC Title 24 | CBC Title 24 |
Throughout California, 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 urban areas like Los Angeles.
While this page focuses on wind loads, Los Angeles engineers and homeowners must also address wildfire risk. Los Angeles County has extensive Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) areas where homes interface with wildfire-prone vegetation. Key considerations include:
Los Angeles building permits in high fire hazard severity zones require compliance with both wind load and wildfire protection standards.
WindLoadCalc.com provides instant, accurate wind load calculations for Los Angeles projects. Our software automatically handles the 95-110 mph velocity range, Exposure B/C determination, and generates PE-ready reports for building permit submission to LADBS.
Try Los Angeles Wind Load Calculator →