Title 16 - Buildings and Construction

R602.6 Drilling and Notching of Studs.

Drilling and notching of studs shall be in accordance with the following:

1. 1.
   Notching. Any stud in an exterior wall or bearing partition may be cut or notched to a depth not exceeding twenty-five percent (25%) of its width. Studs in nonbearing partitions may be notched to a depth not to exceed forty percent (40%) of a single stud width.
2. 2.
   Drilling. Any stud may be bored or drilled, provided that the diameter of the resulting hole is no more than sixty percent (60%) of the stud width, the edge of the hole is no more than five-eighths inch (5/8”) to the edge of the stud, and the hole is not located in the same section as a cut or notch. Studs located in exterior walls or bearing partitions drilled over forty percent (40%) and up to sixty percent (60%) shall also be doubled with no more than two successive doubled studs bored. See Figures R602.6(1) and R602.6(2).

Exception: Use of approved stud shoes is permitted when they are installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.

R602.6.1 Drilling and notching of top plate. When piping or ductwork is placed in or partly in an exterior wall or interior load-bearing wall, necessitating cutting, drilling or notching of the top plate by more than fifty percent (50%) of its width, a galvanized metal tie not less than 0.054 inch thick (16 ga) and one and one-half inches (1½”) wide shall be fastened across and to the plate at each side of the opening with not less than four 10d (0.148 inch diameter) nails having a minimum length of one and one-half inches (1½”) at each side or equivalent. The metal tie must extend a minimum of six inches (6”) past the opening. See Figure R602.6.1.

Exception: When the entire side of the wall with the notch or cut is covered by wood structural panel sheathing.

(History: Ord. BC-3286 §67, 2020; Ord. BC-2936 §49, 2012)

Effective on: 1/1/1901