R301.2.2.2.5 Irregular Buildings

The seismic provisions of this code shall not be used for irregular structures located in Seismic Design Categories C, D₀, D₁ and D₂. Irregular portions of structures shall be designed in accordance with accepted engineering practice to the extent the irregular features affect the performance of the remaining structural system. Where the forces associated with the irregularity are resisted by a structural system designed in accordance with accepted engineering practice, design of the remainder of the building shall be permitted using the provisions of this code. A building or portion of a building shall be considered to be irregular where one or more of the following conditions occur:

1. Where exterior shear wall lines or braced wall panels are not in one plane vertically from the foundation to the uppermost story in which they are required.
   
   
   Exception: For wood light-frame construction, floors with cantilevers or setbacks not exceeding four times the nominal depth of the wood floor joists are permitted to support braced wall panels that are out of plane with braced wall panels below provided that:

   1. Floor joists are nominal 2 inches by 10 inches (51 mm by 254 mm) or larger and spaced not more than 16 inches (406 mm) on center.
   2. The ratio of the back span to the cantilever is not less than 2 to 1.
   3. Floor joists at ends of braced wall panels are doubled.
   4. For wood-frame construction, a continuous rim joist is connected to ends of cantilever joists. When spliced, the rim joists shall be spliced using a galvanized metal tie not less than 0.058 inch (1.5 mm) (16 gage) and 1¹/₂ inches (38 mm) wide fastened with six 16d nails on each side of the splice or a block of the same size as the rim joist of sufficient length to fit securely between the joist space at which the splice occurs fastened with eight 16d nails on each side of the splice; and
   5. Gravity loads carried at the end of cantilevered joists are limited to uniform wall and roof loads and the reactions from headers having a span of 8 feet (2438 mm) or less.
2. Where a section of floor or roof is not laterally supported by shear walls or braced wall lines on all edges.
   
   
   Exception: Portions of floors that do not support shear walls or braced wall panels above, or roofs, shall be permitted to extend not more than 6 feet (1829 mm) beyond a shear wall or braced wall line.
3. Where the end of a braced wall panel occurs over an opening in the wall below and ends at a horizontal distance greater than 1 foot (305 mm) from the edge of the opening. This provision is applicable to shear walls and braced wall panels offset in plane and to braced wall panels offset out of plane as permitted by the exception to Item 1.
   
   
   Exception: For wood light-frame wall construction, one end of a braced wall panel shall be permitted to extend more than 1 foot (305 mm) over an opening not more than 8 feet (2438 mm) in width in the wall below provided that the opening includes a header in accordance with the following:

   1. The building width, loading condition and framing member species limitations of Table R602.7(1) shall apply; and
   2. Not less than one 2 × 12 or two 2 × 10 for an opening not more than 4 feet (1219 mm) wide; or
   3. Not less than two 2 × 12 or three 2 × 10 for an opening not more than 6 feet (1829 mm) in width; or
   4. Not less than three 2 × 12 or four 2 × 10 for an opening not more than 8 feet (2438 mm) in width; and
   5. The entire length of the braced wall panel does not occur over an opening in the wall below.
4. Where an opening in a floor or roof exceeds the lesser of 12 feet (3658 mm) or 50 percent of the least floor or roof dimension.
5. Where portions of a floor level are vertically offset.
   
   
   Exceptions:

   1. Framing supported directly by continuous foundations at the perimeter of the building.
   2. For wood light-frame construction, floors shall be permitted to be vertically offset when the floor framing is lapped or tied together as required by Section R502.6.1.
6. Where shear walls and braced wall lines do not occur in two perpendicular directions.
7. Where stories above grade plane partially or completely braced by wood wall framing in accordance with Section R602 or cold-formed steel wall framing in accordance with Section R603 include masonry or concrete construction. Where this irregularity applies, the entire story shall be designed in accordance with accepted engineering practice.
   
   
   Exception: Fireplaces, chimneys and masonry veneer as permitted by this code.