Register May 2022 No. 797
Chapter SPS 321
CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS
Subchapter I — Scope
Subchapter II — Design Criteria
SPS 321.02 Loads and materials.
SPS 321.035 Interior circulation.
SPS 321.04 Stairways and elevated areas.
SPS 321.05 Natural light and natural ventilation.
SPS 321.06 Ceiling height.
SPS 321.07 Attic and crawl space access.
SPS 321.08 Fire separation and dwelling unit separation.
SPS 321.085 Fireblocking.
SPS 321.09 Smoke detectors.
SPS 321.095 Automatic fire sprinklers.
SPS 321.097 Carbon monoxide detectors.
SPS 321.10 Protection against decay and termites.
SPS 321.115 Installation of elevators or dumbwaiters.
Subchapter III — Excavations
SPS 321.125 Erosion control and sediment control.
SPS 321.13 Excavations adjacent to adjoining property.
SPS 321.14 Excavations for footings and foundations.
Subchapter IV — Footings
SPS 321.16 Frost protection.
Subchapter V — Foundations
Subchapter VI — Floors
SPS 321.20 Concrete floors.
SPS 321.203 Garage floors.
SPS 321.205 Wood floors in contact with the ground.
SPS 321.21 Precast concrete floors.
SPS 321.22 Wood frame floors.
Subchapter VII — Walls
SPS 321.24 Exterior covering.
SPS 321.25 Wood frame walls.
SPS 321.26 Masonry walls.
Subchapter VIII — Roof and Ceilings
SPS 321.27 Roof design and framing.
SPS 321.28 Weather protection for roofs.
Subchapter IX — Fireplace Requirements
SPS 321.29 Masonry fireplaces.
SPS 321.30 Masonry chimneys.
SPS 321.32 Factory-built fireplaces.
Subchapter X — Construction in Floodplains
SPS 321.33 Construction in floodplains.
SPS 321.34 Construction in coastal floodplains.
Subchapter XI — Installation of Manufactured Homes
SPS 321.40 Installation standards.
Ch. SPS 321 Note
Note: Chapter Ind 21 was renumbered to be chapter ILHR 21,
Register, February, 1985, No. 350, eff. 3-1-85. Chapter ILHR 21 was renumbered chapter Comm 21 under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 1., Stats., and corrections made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 6. and 7., Stats.,
Register, January, 1999, No. 517. Chapter Comm 21 was reprinted to correct the Table of Contents,
Register October 2009 No. 646. Chapter Comm 21 was renumbered chapter SPS 321 under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 1., Stats.,
Register December 2011 No. 672.
SPS 321.01
SPS 321.01 Scope. The provisions of this chapter shall apply to the design and construction of all one- and 2-family dwellings.
SPS 321.01 History
History: Cr.
Register, November, 1979, No. 287, eff. 6-1-80.
SPS 321.02
SPS 321.02 Loads and materials. Every dwelling shall be designed and constructed in accordance with the requirements of this section.
SPS 321.02(1)
(1)
Design load. Every dwelling shall be designed and constructed to support the actual dead load, live loads and wind loads acting upon it without exceeding the allowable stresses of the material. The construction of buildings and structures shall result in a system that provides a complete load path capable of transferring all loads from point of origin through the load-resisting elements to the foundation.
SPS 321.02(1)(a)
(a) Dead loads. Every dwelling shall be designed and constructed to support the actual weight of all components and materials. Earth-sheltered dwellings shall be designed and constructed to support the actual weight of all soil loads.
SPS 321.02(1)(b)1.1. `Floors and ceilings.' Floors and ceilings shall be designed and constructed to support the minimum live loads listed in Table 321.02. The design load shall be applied uniformly over the component area.
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See PDF for table 
SPS 321.02(1)(b)2.
2. `Snow loads.' Roofs shall be designed and constructed to support the minimum snow loads listed on the zone map. The loads shall be assumed to act vertically over the roof area projected upon a horizontal plane.
SPS 321.02(1)(c)
(c) Wind loads. Dwellings shall be designed and constructed to withstand either a horizontal and uplift pressure of 20 pounds per square foot acting over the surface area or the wind loads determined in accordance with ASCE 7–05,
Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures.
SPS 321.02 Note
Note: ASCE 7–05 allows for substantial reduction from 20 psf as applied to the surface area.
SPS 321.02(2)
(2)
Methods of design. All dwellings shall be designed by the method of structural analysis or the method of accepted practice specified in each part of this code.
SPS 321.02 Note
Note: See ch.
NR 116, rules of the department of natural resources, for special requirements relating to buildings located in flood plain zones. Information regarding the elevation of the regional flood may be obtained from the local zoning official.
SPS 321.02(3)(a)(a)
General. Design, construction, installation, practice and structural analysis shall conform to the following nationally recognized standards.
