LOUISIANA · IRC 2015/2021 · ASCE 7-10/7-16
Louisiana Wind Load Requirements
Gulf-Coast hurricane exposure drives the nation's toughest coastal-parish provisions — Wind Zone III, PE-sealed design, and wind-borne debris protection.
ADOPTED CODE · ASCE 7 EDITION
Code Adoption Is Jurisdiction-Based
Louisiana has no single statewide wind code — each parish or city adopts an IRC edition, and that selects the matching ASCE 7 reference.
2015 IRC Jurisdictions
Reference ASCE 7-10 for wind load calculations.
ASCE 7-102021 IRC Jurisdictions
Reference ASCE 7-16 for wind load calculations.
ASCE 7-16Commercial Buildings
Follow IBC 2015/2018/2021 mapping to ASCE 7-10 / 7-16.
IBC + ASCE 7The Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code (LSUCC) sets minimum standards, but local officials may adopt more stringent rules. Always confirm the edition and ASCE 7 version with the parish or city building official before design.
GULF COAST vs INLAND · DESIGN SPEED RANGES
Coastal Parishes Carry the Highest Wind Speeds
ASCE 7 maps run hot along the Gulf shoreline and ease inland. Exact mph depends on site coordinates and risk category.
| Risk Category | Coastal Parishes (Gulf Coast) | Inland Parishes | Typical Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | 130–150 mph | 90–115 mph | Agricultural, temporary |
| II | 140–160 mph | 105–120 mph | Homes, offices |
| III | 145–165 mph | 110–125 mph | Assembly, schools 300+ |
| IV | 150–170 mph | 115–130 mph | Hospitals, fire stations |
Gulf Coast — Wind Zone III
110+ mph design speeds, wind-borne debris protection, enhanced roof attachment, reinforced bracing.
110+ MPH · ZONE IIIInland Parishes
Lower mapped speeds, but hurricane and tropical-system loads still govern much of the state.
90–130 MPHWind speeds shown are approximate ASCE 7 map ranges. Verify exact values with the ASCE 7 wind speed maps or the ASCE Wind Design Geodatabase. Storm history: Katrina (2005), Gustav (2008), Isaac (2012), Ida (2021).
CITY GUIDE · COASTAL PARISHES
Louisiana City & Parish Wind Guides
Start with our city-specific guide, then map your project against the eight coastal Wind Zone III parishes.
New Orleans
Orleans Parish — full city wind load guide.
150–160 MPH →Metro Coastal Parishes
Jefferson (Metairie, Kenner, Gretna), Orleans, St. Bernard, St. Charles.
WIND ZONE IIIBayou & Gulf Parishes
Plaquemines, Terrebonne (Houma), LaFourche (Thibodaux), St. Mary (Morgan City).
EXTREME EXPOSURECOMPLIANCE · COASTAL HIGH-WIND PROVISIONS
What Louisiana Requires
Hurricane-Prone Region rules apply where Risk Category II basic wind speed meets or exceeds 115 mph.
PE Seal
Required for Wind Zone III wind load calcs, commercial, and 3+ unit residential. Regulated by LAPELS.
PE REQUIREDComponents & Cladding
Windows/doors rated to design pressure or tested per ASTM E1886/E1996; enhanced fastening schedules.
C&C DESIGNContinuous Load Path
Roof-to-foundation connection mandatory per IRC R602.10.6, with enhanced roof-sheathing attachment.
IRC R602Exposure Category
Exposure C minimum for coastal parishes; Exposure D mandatory within 600 ft of the Gulf shoreline.
C / D COASTALWind-Borne Debris Region: within 1 mile of the coast where basic wind speed exceeds 140 mph, glazing must be impact-resistant or protected. Unlike Florida, Louisiana keeps no central product-approval database — compliance is shown through engineering calculations, manufacturer certifications, or third-party testing.
RISK CATEGORY · ASCE 7
Risk Category Sets the Wind Speed Map
Higher risk category means a longer-return-period map, a higher design wind speed, and higher loads.
START CALCULATING
Run Louisiana Wind Loads in Seconds
Gulf-Coast wind engineering since 2002 — post-Katrina, post-Ida, every coastal parish handled. ZIP in, ASCE 7 pressures out.