ASCE 7-16 · 40 STATES · NO PERMIT MANDATE
Wind Load Requirements in the Other 40 States
These states do not require wind load calculations by law to pull a building permit — but insurance, warranties, and liability often still demand them.
THE LEGAL DISTINCTION
What "No Mandatory Permit" Actually Means
Building departments here do not require submitted wind load or C&C certifications to issue a permit — unlike the 10 states where documentation is legally required.
Not Required for Permit
No wind load or Components & Cladding cert is demanded at the counter in these 40 states.
40 STATESDifferent From the 10
FL, TX, CA, NC, SC, LA, HI, GA, VA & NY legally require wind load docs before a permit.
10 MANDATORYCodes Still Reference ASCE 7
Every state adopts a building code that points to ASCE 7-16 for the wind load methodology.
ASCE 7-16WHY ENGINEERS STILL RUN THEM
When You Still Need Wind Load Calculations
The building department may not ask — but six common situations make ASCE 7 analysis necessary or strongly recommended.
Solar Installations
PV arrays need wind load calcs so panels survive wind events and protect the investment.
PV ARRAYSInsurance Requirements
Many commercial policies require certified calcs for coverage on new builds and high-value assets.
COVERAGERoofing Companies
Uplift ratings and fastening patterns depend on wind data — shielding roofers from failure liability.
UPLIFTManufacturer Warranties
Window, door & roofing makers require proof of proper wind load selection to honor coverage.
WARRANTYLiability Protection
"The state didn't require it" is no defense. Documented calcs are critical legal protection.
DEFENSECommercial Leases
Landlords require engineering docs for signage, awnings & facade work regardless of permits.
TENANTCODE PATHWAY
How These States Adopt ASCE 7
No permit mandate does not mean no standard. Each state adopts the IBC, which references ASCE 7-16 for the wind load method you should use when calculations are needed.
State Adopts IBC
Each state enacts a version of the International Building Code as its base.
IBCIBC Points to ASCE 7
The code references ASCE 7-16 as the governing wind load standard.
ASCE 7-16Use Your Wind Speed
Map the 3-second-gust basic wind speed for the project location.
WIND MAPRun MWFRS & C&C
Calculate pressures for the structure and its cladding to ASCE 7.
PRESSURESIN-DEPTH RESEARCH
Featured State Guides
Eleven states with full wind load guides — local requirements, code references, and city-specific data.
Oklahoma
Tornado capital — Moore, OKC & Tulsa wind requirements.
TORNADO ALLEYKansas
Heart of Tornado Alley — Wichita, Topeka, Kansas City.
TORNADO ALLEYNebraska
Northern Tornado Alley — Omaha & Lincoln wind codes.
TORNADO ALLEYIowa
2020 Derecho — Des Moines & Cedar Rapids requirements.
DERECHOMissouri
Joplin tornado legacy — St. Louis & Kansas City codes.
TORNADO ALLEYArkansas
Southern Tornado Alley — Little Rock & NW Arkansas.
TORNADO ALLEYArizona
Solar capital — Phoenix & Tucson monsoon winds.
SOLAR BELTNevada
Desert winds — Las Vegas & Reno mountain exposure.
DESERTColorado
Mountain & plains — Denver & Colorado Springs codes.
MOUNTAINMassachusetts
Coastal exposure — Boston & Cape Cod hurricanes.
COASTALNew Jersey
Shore exposure — Atlantic City & Newark coastal codes.
COASTALQUICK REFERENCE · ASCE 7-16
All 40 States at a Glance
Basic wind speed range and the one fact that matters most for each state. Cards with a guide link to the full deep-dive.
Arizona
90–105 mph — monsoon season brings severe thunderstorm winds.
VIEW GUIDEArkansas
105–120 mph — high tornado risk, proper analysis critical.
VIEW GUIDEColorado
90–115 mph — eastern plains in Tornado Alley, severe mountain winds.
VIEW GUIDEIowa
90–115 mph — core Tornado Alley state with derecho risk.
VIEW GUIDEKansas
90–120 mph — heart of Tornado Alley, highest frequency.
VIEW GUIDEMassachusetts
110–130 mph — hurricane exposure, coastal high winds.
VIEW GUIDEMissouri
90–115 mph — Tornado Alley, Joplin 2011 devastation.
VIEW GUIDENebraska
90–120 mph — core Tornado Alley, frequent severe weather.
VIEW GUIDENevada
85–100 mph — desert winds with mountain exposure.
VIEW GUIDENew Jersey
110–130 mph — coastal exposure, hurricane risk.
VIEW GUIDEOklahoma
90–120 mph — heart of Tornado Alley, extreme risk.
VIEW GUIDEAlabama
110–130 mph — PE seal required for all structural calculations.
ASCE 7-16Alaska
85–110 mph — snow often governs, wind critical on the coast.
ASCE 7-16Connecticut
110–130 mph — coastal exposure, hurricane remnants.
ASCE 7-16Delaware
110–125 mph — coastal state with hurricane exposure.
ASCE 7-16Idaho
85–100 mph — mountain gap winds can exceed 100 mph.
ASCE 7-16Illinois
90–115 mph — Tornado Alley, high severe-weather risk.
TORNADOIndiana
90–115 mph — tornado risk and severe thunderstorms common.
TORNADOKentucky
90–110 mph — significant tornado risk, especially west.
TORNADOMaine
100–130 mph — coastal winds and nor'easters.
ASCE 7-16Maryland
105–120 mph — coastal exposure, Chesapeake Bay channeling.
ASCE 7-16Michigan
90–110 mph — Great Lakes wind effects, severe storms.
ASCE 7-16Minnesota
90–110 mph — severe thunderstorms, occasional tornadoes.
ASCE 7-16Mississippi
110–140 mph — Gulf Coast hurricane exposure.
ASCE 7-16Montana
85–110 mph — high plains winds, mountain gap winds.
ASCE 7-16New Hampshire
100–125 mph — coastal and mountain winds, winter storms.
ASCE 7-16New Mexico
90–105 mph — high plains winds, severe thunderstorms.
ASCE 7-16North Dakota
90–110 mph — tornado risk, severe thunderstorm winds.
TORNADOOhio
90–110 mph — tornado risk, especially southwest regions.
TORNADOOregon
85–120 mph — coastal exposure, Columbia Gorge winds.
ASCE 7-16Pennsylvania
90–110 mph — severe thunderstorms, occasional tornadoes.
ASCE 7-16Rhode Island
110–130 mph — full coastal exposure, hurricane risk.
ASCE 7-16South Dakota
90–115 mph — Tornado Alley, severe weather common.
TORNADOTennessee
90–110 mph — significant tornado risk, especially Middle TN.
TORNADOUtah
85–105 mph — mountain canyon winds, severe thunderstorms.
ASCE 7-16Vermont
90–110 mph — mountain winds, winter storms.
ASCE 7-16Washington
85–110 mph — coastal exposure, Columbia Gorge extreme winds.
ASCE 7-16West Virginia
90–105 mph — mountain ridge winds can be severe.
ASCE 7-16Wisconsin
90–110 mph — severe thunderstorms, occasional tornadoes.
ASCE 7-16Wyoming
90–120 mph — high plains and extremely severe mountain winds.
ASCE 7-16CITY-LEVEL DATA
Major City Wind Load Requirements
Basic wind speed ranges for cities in states without a dedicated state page, grouped by region.
NORTHEAST — COASTAL, HURRICANE REMNANTS, NOR'EASTERS
Boston, MA
110–120 mph basic wind speed.
110–120Cape Cod, MA
120–140 mph basic wind speed.
120–140Providence, RI
110–120 mph basic wind speed.
110–120Hartford, CT
105–115 mph basic wind speed.
105–115Newark, NJ
105–115 mph basic wind speed.
105–115Jersey City, NJ
110–120 mph basic wind speed.
110–120Atlantic City, NJ
120–130 mph basic wind speed.
120–130Philadelphia, PA
105–115 mph basic wind speed.
105–115Pittsburgh, PA
100–110 mph basic wind speed.
100–110Baltimore, MD
105–120 mph basic wind speed.
105–120Washington, DC
105–115 mph basic wind speed.
105–115Chicago, IL
100–115 mph basic wind speed.
100–115MIDWEST & TORNADO ALLEY — GREAT LAKES WINDS, SEVERE STORMS, EXTREME TORNADO RISK
Detroit, MI
100–110 mph basic wind speed.
100–110Minneapolis, MN
100–110 mph basic wind speed.
100–110Milwaukee, WI
100–115 mph basic wind speed.
100–115Indianapolis, IN
100–110 mph basic wind speed.
100–110Columbus, OH
100–110 mph basic wind speed.
100–110Cleveland, OH
100–115 mph basic wind speed.
100–115Cincinnati, OH
100–110 mph basic wind speed.
100–110Oklahoma City, OK
105–120 mph basic wind speed.
TORNADOTulsa, OK
100–115 mph basic wind speed.
TORNADOKansas City, MO
100–115 mph basic wind speed.
TORNADOSt. Louis, MO
100–115 mph basic wind speed.
TORNADOWichita, KS
105–120 mph basic wind speed.
TORNADOOmaha, NE
100–115 mph basic wind speed.
TORNADODes Moines, IA
100–115 mph basic wind speed.
TORNADOSOUTH, MOUNTAIN, WEST, PACIFIC NORTHWEST & TERRITORIES
Little Rock, AR
100–115 mph basic wind speed.
TORNADONashville, TN
100–110 mph basic wind speed.
100–110Memphis, TN
100–115 mph basic wind speed.
100–115Louisville, KY
100–110 mph basic wind speed.
100–110Birmingham, AL
100–115 mph basic wind speed.
100–115Mobile, AL
140–150 mph — Gulf hurricane exposure.
140–150Denver, CO
100–115 mph basic wind speed.
100–115Phoenix, AZ
90–100 mph basic wind speed.
90–100Tucson, AZ
90–100 mph basic wind speed.
90–100Albuquerque, NM
90–100 mph basic wind speed.
90–100Las Vegas, NV
95–105 mph basic wind speed.
95–105Salt Lake City, UT
90–105 mph basic wind speed.
90–105Boise, ID
90–100 mph basic wind speed.
90–100Seattle, WA
95–110 mph basic wind speed.
95–110Tacoma, WA
95–110 mph basic wind speed.
95–110Spokane, WA
90–100 mph basic wind speed.
90–100Portland, OR
95–105 mph basic wind speed.
95–105Anchorage, AK
110–130 mph basic wind speed.
110–130San Juan, PR
165–180 mph — full hurricane exposure.
165–180OFFICIAL .GOV SOURCES
State Building Code Resources
Direct links to official state building-code authorities. All open in a new tab. Links verified as of December 2025.
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Building Codes
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.GOVArizona
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PROTECT EVERY PROJECT
Need Wind Load Calculations?
Even in states without a mandate, proper ASCE 7 analysis protects your project, your clients, and your professional reputation.