GEORGIA · 2020 IBC · ASCE 7-16
Georgia Wind Load Requirements
From Atlantic-coast hurricane exposure near Savannah to the lower-speed inland mountains — design wind loads under the 2020 IBC and ASCE 7-16.
BUILDING CODE
The standard Georgia enforces
Georgia has adopted the 2020 International Building Code with state amendments, referencing ASCE 7-16 as the authority for all wind load calculations.
2020 IBC
International Building Code with Georgia amendments.
STATEWIDEASCE 7-16
MWFRS and Components & Cladding wind methods.
REFERENCEDPE / SE Seal
Required for designated and coastal structures.
CERTIFICATIONLocal AHJ
Enforced by local building departments.
JURISDICTIONWIND SPEED MAP · VULT (RISK II)
Coast versus inland
ASCE 7-16 ultimate design wind speeds drop as you move inland from the Atlantic barrier islands toward the North Georgia mountains.
Atlantic Coast
Coastal counties & barrier islands.
120–130 MPHSoutheast Georgia
Near-coast transition zone.
110–120 MPHCentral Georgia
Interior counties, lower exposure.
90–110 MPHNorth Mountains
Lowest design speeds statewide.
85–95 MPHCITY GUIDES
Georgia city wind load guides
City-specific wind speeds, local code notes, and practical design considerations.
DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
What Georgia design must address
Coastal counties with design speeds of 130+ mph fall in wind-borne debris regions where all openings must be protected.
Components & Cladding
Corner zones see GCp roughly 40–60% above field zones — enhanced fastening at corners and edges.
C&COpening Protection
Impact glazing, rated assemblies, or approved shutters in 130+ mph debris regions.
DEBRIS REGIONContinuous Load Path
Roof-to-wall straps through to anchored foundations with rated uplift capacity.
LOAD PATHCOASTAL JURISDICTIONS
Atlantic coastal counties
PE-sealed structural plans are typically required throughout Georgia's Atlantic coastal counties, regardless of structure type.
Chatham
Savannah, Tybee Island
Glynn
Brunswick, St. Simons, Jekyll, Sea Island
McIntosh
Darien, Sapelo Island
Camden
St. Marys, Cumberland Island
Bryan
Richmond Hill (coastal portions)
Liberty
Midway (coastal portions)
RISK CATEGORY
Risk category sets the design map
Higher risk category reads from a longer return-period wind map — raising the design speed and loads.
Category I
Agricultural and temporary structures.
LOWER SPEEDSCategory II
Standard residential and commercial.
STANDARDCategory III
Schools, assembly housing 300+ people.
INCREASEDCategory IV
Hospitals, EOCs, essential facilities.
HIGHESTRUN THE NUMBERS
Calculate Georgia wind loads to ASCE 7-16
Professional ASCE 7 wind load calculator software for MWFRS and Components & Cladding.