Chatham County Georgia | 120-130 mph Design Wind Speed | Exposure Category C Coastal/B Inland | Georgia State Building Code (IBC) | Historic Preservation Compliance
Calculate Savannah Wind Loads Now →Savannah, located in Chatham County, Georgia, has moderate wind load requirements appropriate for its position on the Georgia coast. Savannah requires a design wind speed of approximately 120-130 mph (3-second gust) for Risk Category II structures, based on ASCE 7-22 wind speed maps and proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and Savannah River.
As a historic coastal city, Savannah faces unique wind load compliance challenges. The city must balance hurricane preparedness with historic preservation requirements in its 22 historic squares and National Historic Landmark District. Projects in the historic district must comply with both Georgia State Minimum Standard Codes (which adopts the International Building Code) and strict historic preservation guidelines from the Historic Savannah Foundation and Chatham County-Savannah Metropolitan Planning Commission.
Design Wind Speed (Risk Category II): 120-130 mph (3-second gust, varies by location)
Design Wind Speed (Risk Category III): ~135-145 mph
Design Wind Speed (Risk Category IV): ~145-155 mph
Exposure Category: C (coastal areas, Tybee Island), B inland
Building Code: Georgia State Minimum Standard Codes (adopts IBC)
Wind Load Standard: ASCE 7-22
Historic District: Strict preservation requirements apply to 22 historic squares
Coastal Exposure: Savannah River estuary and Atlantic Ocean proximity
Savannah's design wind speeds of 120-130 mph are derived from ASCE 7-22 wind speed maps for the coastal Georgia region. This velocity range accounts for the city's exposure to Atlantic hurricanes and tropical storms while recognizing that Savannah typically experiences moderate wind speeds compared to South Florida and the Gulf Coast.
The exact wind speed for a specific Savannah project depends on precise location. Coastal areas near Tybee Island and the Savannah River entrance typically require the higher end of the range (125-130 mph) due to direct ocean exposure with Exposure Category C, while inland neighborhoods in the historic district and west Savannah may use the lower end (120-125 mph) with possible Exposure Category B justification. The WindLoadCalc.com calculator automatically determines the correct velocity based on your project's zip code or address.
Savannah's unique geography and historic character significantly influence wind load requirements:
Calculating wind loads for Savannah projects requires following ASCE 7-22 methodology with Georgia Building Code requirements. The fundamental velocity pressure equation is:
qz = 0.00256 Kz Kzt Kd Ke V²
For a typical Savannah coastal project with V = 125 mph and Exposure C conditions, the resulting pressures are moderate but still require careful engineering. A Tybee Island coastal project with:
Results in a velocity pressure of approximately qz = 36.5 psf—moderate compared to Florida coastal cities but still requiring proper structural design and wind-resistant construction methods.
Savannah's historic district presents unique challenges for wind load compliance:
Challenge: Historic structures in Savannah's National Historic Landmark District must comply with modern wind load requirements while preserving architectural integrity
Solution: Work with preservation consultants and structural engineers experienced in historic retrofits. Many solutions exist including concealed hurricane shutters, enhanced roof deck attachment, and structural strengthening from interior spaces
Key Resource: Historic Savannah Foundation provides guidance on preservation-compliant wind mitigation strategies
Recent hurricanes have demonstrated the importance of proper wind load compliance in Savannah:
Savannah 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 | Savannah Design Wind Speed | Building Types |
|---|---|---|
| Risk Category I | ~110-120 mph | Agricultural facilities, temporary structures, minor storage |
| Risk Category II | 120-130 mph | Residential, commercial, most standard occupancies |
| Risk Category III | ~135-145 mph | Schools, assembly >300, substantial hazardous materials |
| Risk Category IV | ~145-155 mph | Hospitals, fire stations, emergency shelters, EOCs |
Savannah projects require careful exposure category determination based on location and surrounding terrain:
Engineers must carefully evaluate exposure categories for Savannah projects. While the historic district has dense urban character and substantial tree coverage, proximity to the Savannah River and Atlantic Ocean may require Exposure C for conservative design.
Savannah/Chatham County uses zip codes primarily in the 31401-31419 range. Wind speeds vary by location:
The WindLoadCalc.com wind load calculator automatically determines the correct wind speed and exposure category recommendations when you enter any Savannah/Chatham County zip code or address, using ASCE 7-22 wind speed maps and local terrain analysis.
WindLoadCalc.com automatically handles all Savannah/Chatham County requirements including location-specific wind velocities (120-130 mph range), appropriate Exposure Category recommendations, Risk Category adjustments, and component pressure coefficients. Simply enter your Savannah project address or zip code for instant, accurate calculations.
Calculate Savannah Wind Loads Now →All wind load calculations for Savannah building permits must be prepared by or under the direct supervision of a Professional Engineer (PE) or Architect licensed in Georgia. The sealed calculations must include:
Engineers, architects, and contractors should reference these official resources for Savannah wind load compliance:
The wind load calculator at WindLoadCalc.com automatically applies all Savannah-specific requirements:
WindLoadCalc.com provides instant, accurate wind load calculations for Savannah/Chatham County projects. Our software automatically handles location-specific wind velocities (120-130 mph), appropriate Exposure Category recommendations, and generates PE-ready reports for building permit submission.
Try Savannah Wind Load Calculator →