24 C.F.R. § 200.926e
§ 200.926e Supplemental information for use with the CABO One and Two Family Dwelling Code. (24 CFR Part 200)
Operative Text
The following shall be used in Table No. R-202, Climatic and Geographic Design Criteria of the CABO One and Two Family Dwelling Code. (a) Roof live loads. (b) Roof snow load. The roof snow load shall be in accordance with section 7 of ASCE 7-88. (c) Wind pressures. The minimum Design Wind Pressures (net pressures) set forth below apply to areas designated as experiencing basic wind speeds up to and including 80 mph, as shown in ASCE 7-88, Figure 1, Basic Wind Speed Map. These pressures also apply to buildings not over 30 ft. in height above finish grade, assuming exposure C or defined in ASCE 7-88. (1) Minimum design wind pressure criteria. (i) Buildings (for overturning racking or sliding); p = 20 psf. (ii) Chimneys, p = 30 psf. (iii) Exterior walls, p = 15 psf inward or outward. Local pressure at corners of walls shall be not less than p = 30 psf outward. These local pressures shall not be included with the design pressure when computing overall loads. The pressures shall be applied perpendicularly outward on strips of width equal to 10 percent of the least width of building. (iv) Partitions, p = 10 psf. (v) Windows, p = 20 psf inward or outward. (vi) Roof, p = 20 psf inward or outward. (2) Severe wind design pressures. If the construction is higher than 30 ft., or if it is located in an area experiencing wind speeds greater than 80 mph, higher design wind pressures than shown above are required. Use Section 6 of ASCE 7-88 for higher criteria and for determining where wind speeds greater than 80 mph occur. Pressures are assumed to act horizontally on the gross area of the vertical projection of the structure except as noted for roof design. (d) Seismic conditions shall be in accordance with Section 9 of ASCE 7-88. (e) Subject to damage from: weathering. A jurisdiction's weathering region shall be as established by the map in ASTM C 62-83. (f) Subject to damage from: frost line depth. Exterior wall footings or foundation walls including those of accessory buildings shall extend a minimum of 6 in. below the finished grade and, where applicable, the prevailing frost line. (g) Subject to damage from: termites. “Yes” shall be used in locations designated as Regions I, II or III. “No” shall be used in locations designated as Region IV. The map for Termite Infestation Probability in appendix A of CABO, One and Two Family Dwelling Code shall be used to determine the jurisdiction's region. (h) Subject to damage from: decay. “Yes” shall be used in locations designated as moderate to severe and slight to moderate. “No” shall be used in locations designated as none to slight. The Decay Probability map in appendix A of CABO, One and Two Family Dwelling Code shall be used to determine the jurisdiction's decay designation.
Section 200.926e of 24 CFR Part 200 establishes supplemental structural and environmental design criteria that must be used alongside the CABO One and Two Family Dwelling Code's climatic and geographic design table. The rule sets minimum wind pressure values for various building components, requires snow and seismic loads to follow specific ASCE 7-88 standards, and mandates that local geographic maps determine a site's exposure to weathering, frost depth, termite infestation, and wood decay risk. Buildings taller than 30 feet or located in areas with wind speeds exceeding 80 mph are subject to more stringent wind design requirements under the same referenced standard.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and developers constructing or overseeing one- and two-family dwellings subject to FHA standards under 24 CFR Part 200 § 200.926e generally ensure that their design professionals incorporate the prescribed minimum wind pressures—such as 15 psf for exterior walls and 20 psf for roofs and windows—into construction documents. Compliant operators also verify that their projects reference the appropriate ASCE 7-88 sections for snow and seismic loads, and that site-specific determinations for frost line depth, weathering region, termite probability, and decay risk are drawn from the maps referenced in the CABO code appendices. For structures exceeding 30 feet in height or situated in high-wind zones, operators typically confirm that engineers apply the elevated design pressure criteria specified in Section 6 of ASCE 7-88.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants living in one- or two-family homes built under FHA guidelines may find it useful to know that 24 CFR Part 200 § 200.926e sets baseline structural safety standards—covering wind resistance, frost protection, and resistance to termite and decay damage—that are meant to be incorporated into the home's original construction. If a tenant has concerns about structural deficiencies that may relate to these design requirements, general enforcement paths can include raising the issue with a local building or housing code enforcement office, or contacting a tenant-rights organization familiar with federal housing construction standards. Reviewing any available inspection records or certificates of occupancy may also help clarify whether the dwelling was built in compliance with the criteria outlined in § 200.926e.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 4, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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