Are Gutters Required By Code

From my cursory knowledge of building code gutters are never explicitly required although r 801 3 requires some controlled method of drainage 5 ft from the foundation walls or to an approved drainage system.

Are gutters required by code.

Gutters are not required by the international residential code irc or the residential edition of the florida building code fbc with two exceptions. 2 if the home has a footing and foundation wall not a thickened edge concrete slab foundation like most newer homes and is in an area that has expansive clay or collapsible soils. They are generally not required by law on a sloping roof and many modern homes omit them even in instances where they are beneficial. Plumbing codes typically use the vertically projected roof.

Sunday august 23 2020. Rain gutters are the most controversial type of gutter. Drive around any neighborhood in san diego los angeles riverside or orange county and you are going to see some homes that have full gutter systems some that have partial gutters and some with no gutters at all. Downspouts and gutters are sized in relation to rainfall on this basis.

Gutters and downspouts are not required in dry b climates as shown in the iecc climate zone map 2009 iecc figure 301 1 and table 301 1. Local codes may require that drainage systems only be designed for the latter. 1 if the roof overhang eave is less than 6 inches. International energy conservation code iecc climate regions.

In order to decide for yourself whether rain gutters are necessary for your home it is best to first weigh the facts. Chapter 8 code of miami dade county requires that roof slope drains gutters crickets and overflow scupper calculations appear on the framing plans. On the other hand section r405 1 does require foundation drainage and provides fairly elaborate direction due to the importance of keeping basements dry.