Philadelphia Code tit. 4, pt. R, ch. 7 — WALL COVERING | The Philadelphia Code (2026 Code: The Philadelphia Code and Home Rule Charter current through October 8, 2026) — City of Philadelphia

Philadelphia Code Subcode R, § R703 EXTERIOR COVERING

SECTION R703 EXTERIOR COVERING * * * [Pursuant to the UCC, delete Section R703.2 and replace as follows:] R-R703.2 Water-resistive barrier. Not fewer than one layer of water-resistive barrier shall be applied over studs or sheathing of all exterior walls with flashing as indicated in Section R703.4, in such a manner as to provide a continuous water-resistive barrier behind the exterior wall veneer. The water- resistive barrier material shall be continuous to the top of walls and terminated at penetrations and building appendages in a manner to meet the requirements of the exterior wall envelope as described in Section R703.1. Where the water-resistive barrier also functions as a component of a continuous air barrier, the water-resistive barrier shall be installed as an air barrier in accordance with Section N1102.4.1.1. Water-resistive barrier materials shall comply with one of the following: 1. No. 15 felt complying with ASTM D226, Type 1. 2. ASTM E2568, Type 1 or 2. 3. Foam plastic insulating sheathing water-resistive barrier systems complying with Section R703.1.1 and installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions. 4. ASTM E331 in accordance with Section R703.1.1. 5. Other approved materials in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions. No.15 asphalt felt and water-resistive barriers complying with ASTM E2556 shall be applied horizontally, with the upper layer lapped over the lower layer not less than 2 inches (51 mm), and where joints occur, shall be lapped not less than 6 inches (152 mm). Exception: A water-resistive barrier shall not be required in unconditioned detached tool sheds, playhouses, and other similar accessory structures provided all of the following requirements are met: 1. Exterior wall covering is limited to siding that is attached directly to the studs. 2. Exterior walls are uninsulated. 3. Interior side of exterior walls has no wall covering or wall finishes. * * * [Pursuant to the UCC, delete Section R703.3.1 and replace as follows:] R-R703.3.1 Exterior soffit installation. Exterior soffits shall comply with Section R704. * * * [Pursuant to the UCC, delete Section R703.4.1 and replace as follows:] R-R703.4.1 Flashing installation at exterior window and door openings. Flashing at exterior window and door openings shall extend to the surface of the exterior wall finish or to a water-resistive barrier complying with Section R-R703.2 for subsequent drainage. Air sealing shall be installed around all window and door openings on the interior side of the rough opening gap. Mechanically attached flexible flashings shall comply with AAMA 712. Flashing at exterior window and door openings shall be installed in accordance with one or more of the following: 1. The fenestration manufacturer’s installation and flashing instructions, or for applications not addressed in the fenestration manufacturer’s instructions, in accordance with the flashing or water-resistive barrier manufacturer’s instructions. Where flashing instructions or details are not provided, pan flashing shall be installed at the sill of exterior window and door openings. Pan flashing shall be sealed or sloped in such a manner as to direct water to the surface of the exterior wall finish or to the water resistive barrier for subsequent drainage. Openings using pan flashing shall incorporate flashing or protection at the head and sides. 2. In accordance with the flashing design or method of a registered design professional. 3. In accordance with other approved methods. * * * [Pursuant to the UCC, delete Section R703.7 and replace as follows:] R-R703.7 Exterior plaster (stucco). Installation of exterior plaster shall be in compliance with ASTM C926-2018B, ASTM C1063-2018B and the provisions of this code. * * *

Philadelphia Code Subcode R, § R704 SOFFITS

SECTION R704 SOFFITS * * * [Pursuant to the UCC, delete Section R704.1 and replace as follows.] R-R704.1 General wind limitations. Where the design wind pressure is 30 pounds per square foot (1.44 kPa) or less, exterior soffits shall comply with Section R-R704.2. Where the design wind pressure exceeds 30 pounds per square foot (1.44 kPa), exterior soffits shall comply with Section R-R704.3. The design wind pressure on exterior soffits shall be determined using the component and cladding loads specified in Table R301.2.1(1) for walls using an effective wind area of 10 square feet (0.93 m2) and adjusted for height and exposure in accordance with Table R301.2.1(2). * * * [Pursuant to the UCC, delete Section R704.2 and replace as follows:] R-R704.2 Exterior soffit installation where the design wind pressure is 30 psf or less. Where the design wind pressure is 30 pounds per square foot (1.44 kPa) or less, exterior soffit installation shall comply with Section R-R704.2.1, R-R704.2.2, R-R704.2.3 or R-R704.2.4. Soffit materials not addressed in Sections R-R704.2.1 through R-R704.2.4 shall be in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions. R-R704.2.1 Vinyl and aluminum soffit panels. Vinyl and aluminum soffit panels shall be installed using aluminum, galvanized, stainless steel or rust-preventative coated nails or staples or other approved corrosion-resistant fasteners specified by the manufacturer and shall be fastened at both ends to a supporting component such as a nailing strip, fascia or sub-fascia component in accordance with Figure R-R704.2.1(1). Where the unsupported span of soffit panels is greater than 16 inches (406 mm), intermediate nailing strips shall be provided in accordance with Figure R-R704.2.1(2). Vinyl and aluminum soffit panels shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions. Fascia covers shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions. FIGURE R-R704.2.1(1) TYPICAL SINGLE-SPAN VINYL AND ALUMINUM EXTERIOR SOFFIT PANEL SUPPORT [image omitted; see the official code] FIGURE R-R704.2.1(2) TYPICAL DOUBLE-SPAN VINYL AND ALUMINUM EXTERIOR SOFFIT PANEL SUPPORT [image omitted; see the official code] R-R704.2.2 Fiber-cement exterior soffit panels. Fiber-cement exterior soffit panels shall be a minimum of 1/4 inch (6.4 mm) in thickness and shall comply with the requirements of ASTM C1186, Type A, minimum Grade II, or ISO 8336, Category A, minimum Class 2. Panel joints shall occur over framing or over wood structural panel sheathing. Exterior soffit panels shall be installed with spans and fasteners in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions. R-R704.2.3 Hardboard exterior soffit panels. Hardboard exterior soffit panels shall be not less than 7/16 inch (11.11 mm) in thickness and shall be fastened to framing or nailing strips with 2-1/2-inch by 0.113-inch (64 mm by 2.9 mm) siding nails spaced not more than 6 inches (152 mm) on center at panel edges and 12 inches (305 mm) on center at intermediate supports. R-R704.2.4 Wood structural panel exterior soffit. The minimum nominal thickness for wood structural panel soffits shall be 3/8-inch (9.5 mm) and shall be fastened to framing or nailing strips with 2-inch by 0.099-inch (51 mm by 2.5 mm) nails. Fasteners shall be spaced not more than 6 inches (152 mm) on center at panel edges and 12 inches (305 mm) on center at intermediate supports. [Pursuant to the UCC, delete Section R704.3 and replace as follows:] R-R704.3 Exterior soffit installation where the design wind pressure exceeds 30 psf. Where the design wind pressure is greater than 30 psf, exterior soffit installation shall comply with Section R-R704.3.1, R-R704.3.2, R-R704.3.3 or R-R704.3.4 . Exterior soffit materials not addressed in Sections R-R704.3.1 through R-R704.3.4 shall be in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions. R-R704.3.1 Vinyl exterior soffit panels. Vinyl exterior soffit panels and their attachments shall be capable of resisting wind loads specified in Table R301.2.1(1) for walls using an effective wind area of 10 square feet (0.929 m2) and adjusted for height and exposure in accordance with Table R301.2.1(2). Vinyl exterior soffit panels shall be installed using fasteners specified by the manufacturer and shall be fastened at both ends to a supporting component such as a nailing strip, fascia or sub-fascia component in accordance with Figure R-R704.2.1(1). Where the unsupported span of exterior soffit panels is greater than 12 inches (305 mm), intermediate nailing strips shall be provided in accordance with Figure R-R704.2.1(2). Vinyl exterior soffit panels shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions. R-R704.3.2 Fiber-cement exterior soffit panels. Fiber-cement exterior soffit panels shall comply with Section R-R704.2.2 and shall be capable of resisting wind loads specified in Table R301.2.1(1) for walls using an effective wind area of 10 square feet (0.929 m2) and adjusted for height and exposure in accordance with Table R301.2.1(2). R-R704.3.3 Hardboard exterior soffit panels. Hardboard exterior soffit panels shall comply with the manufacturer’s installation instructions and shall be capable of resisting wind loads specified in Table R301.2.1(1) for walls using an effective wind area of 10 square feet (0.929 m2) and adjusted for height and exposure in accordance with Table R301.2.1(2). R-R704.3.4 Wood structural panel exterior soffit. Wood structural panel exterior soffits shall be capable of resisting wind loads specified in Table R301.2.1(1) for walls using an effective wind area of 10 square feet (0.929 m2) and adjusted for height and exposure in accordance with Table R301.2.1(2). Alternatively, wood structural panel exterior soffits shall be installed in accordance with Table R704.3.4. [Pursuant to the UCC, delete Footnote e of Table R704.3 and replace as follows:] e. Wood structural panels shall be attached to soffit framing members with specific gravity of at least 0.35. Where the specific gravity of the wood species used for sofit framing members is greater than or equal to 0.35 but less than 0.42 in accordance with AWC NDS, the fastener spacing shall be multiplied by 0.67 or the same fastener spacing as prescribed for galvanized steel nails shall be permitted to be used where RSRS-01 (2" × 0.099" × 0.266" head) nails replace 6d box nails and RSRS-03 (2-1/2" × 0.131" × 0.281" head) nails replace 8d common nails or 10d box nails. RSRS is a Roof Sheathing Ring Shank nail meeting the specifications in ASTM F1667. Framing members shall be minimum 2 × 3 nominal with the larger dimension in the cross section aligning with the length of fasteners to provide sufficient embedment depths.