GuidelineRecommended
Residential floor live load: 40 psf minimum (30 psf sleeping rooms)
HUD RSDG §3.4Description
Residential floor live loads per ASCE 7: 40 psf minimum for habitable spaces (kitchens, dining, living, family, hallways, stairs); 30 psf for sleeping areas (bedrooms). Attics with limited storage: 20 psf. Attic without storage: 10 psf.
Why this exists
Live loads represent transient occupant loads. The 40 psf basis comes from large-gathering scenarios that all habitable spaces must accommodate; bedrooms can use the lower 30 psf because they don't see crowd loads.
Measurements
| Property | Operator | Value | Unit | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
habitableLoad | min | 40 | psf | Habitable floor live load |
sleepingLoad | min | 30 | psf | Sleeping-area live load |
atticStorageLoad | min | 20 | psf | Attic with limited storage |
atticNoStorageLoad | min | 10 | psf | Attic without storage |
Categories
Structure
Source
HUD (US Department of Housing and Urban Development)no manifest entry
Residential Structural Design Guide, Second Edition (2nd ed)
Section: Chapter 3, §3.4
Published 2000-01-01 · last verified 2026-05-10
Solver enforcement
Browsable only — the solver does not currently enforce this directive (no spec-level data to check against). This entry exists so the architect personas can cite it in conversation and the user can read what the rule says.
Related directives
- Continuous load path from roof to foundation · HUD RSDG §2.4
- Residential structural reliability targets 1-in-100 to 1-in-1000 annual probability of failure · HUD RSDG §2.5
- Wind load design uses ASCE 7 basic wind speed for the locality · HUD RSDG §3.6
- Ground snow load for Virginia: 25 psf eastern, up to 40 psf western mountains · HUD RSDG §3.7
- Footing depth must extend below frost line: 18-24 inches in Virginia · HUD RSDG §4.4
Last reviewed 2026-05-10.