In California, for multi-story wood frame buildings in Seismic Design Category D, what is the maximum building height allowed without requiring special seismic design provisions beyond conventional construction methods?
Correct Answer
D) 35 feet
CBC Section 2308.2 limits conventional wood frame construction to a maximum height of 35 feet in Seismic Design Category D. Buildings exceeding this height require engineered design and special seismic detailing. This limitation reflects California's recognition that taller wood frame buildings need enhanced seismic resistance beyond conventional framing methods to perform adequately in major earthquakes.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
CBC Section 2308.2 caps conventional light-frame wood construction at 35 feet in Seismic Design Category D. Buildings exceeding this height require engineered seismic design and special detailing. The 35-foot limit reflects the empirical performance limit of conventional framing in California's high-seismicity zones.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option A: 45 feet
45 feet significantly exceeds the 35-foot conventional construction limit in SDC D. A building at 45 feet would require full engineered seismic design, which goes beyond conventional methods.
Option B: 50 feet
50 feet is well above the threshold. No exception under CBC 2308.2 permits conventional wood frame construction to reach 50 feet in SDC D without engineered seismic design.
Option C: 40 feet
40 feet is above the 35-foot limit but close enough to be a plausible distractor. Conventional construction is not permitted between 35 and 40 feet in SDC D — 35 feet is the hard cap.
Memory Technique
SDC D + wood frame = 35 feet. Think 'D is dangerous — keep it low at 35.' Or: 35 feet is roughly 3 stories, which is the common sense limit for unengineered wood construction in earthquake country.
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