Building codes are adopted to provide a reasonable level of safety, and protection of public health, general welfare and property.

They are updated and published on a three-year cycle to reflect the latest standards of life-safety, public health and building technology. Building codes are adopted and amended by City Council to account for local conditions and practices.

2021 City Amendments

Compliance Tools

Allowable Soil Bearing Pressure

In general, for commercial construction projects, the City of Scottsdale requires a soils report. (See Sec. 1803 of the 2021 International Building Code.) However, there may be instances where the extent of a project is small and the requirement for a soils report is not pressed. In these instances, we would allow no less than the code minimum of Table 1806.2, Class 4 soil material. For this type of soil, we revise the Allowable Foundation Pressure from the stated 2,000 to a value of 1,500 psf max. Based on the extent of the project, we would reserve the right to request a report as stated in the Code section noted above.

Climatic & Geographic Design Criteria

Design Wind Speed

2021 IBC & IRC
  • Occupancy Category I = 95 MPH
  • Occupancy Category II = 105 MPH
  • Occupancy Category III = 110 MPH
  • Occupancy Category IV = 115 MPH

Occupancy Category determined by 2021 IBC Risk Category of Buildings and Other Structures Table 1604.5

IRC

Wind Exposure:

B or C as defined in COS Interpretations & Applications of Building Codes & Regulations No.15-1

Seismic Design:

Category 'B' for SFR, For other occupancies, Engineer to Calculate
Snow Load = None
Winter Design Temp = 37F
Summer Design Temp = 105F

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