Building Inspections - Construction Information

Construction Information > Masonry Requirements for Exterior Walls

Exterior walls of residential structures normally must be one-hundred percent (100%) masonry. There are a few exceptions to the rule; however, all walls that face a public street or thoroughfare, a public park area or a school yard must be one-hundred percent (100%) masonry. The one exception that does apply is that gables over the entrance of an extended garage are not required to be masonry. The exceptions that apply when the wall does not face a street or thoroughfare, public park area or school yard are:

1. Side walls cantilevered twelve inches (12”) or more from the first floor wall may contain up to thirty-five percent (35%) of non-masonry material for the total area of the wall. Window and door areas are excluded from the calculatable area.

2. A rear wall that is cantilevered twelve inches (12”) or more from the first floor wall has no masonry requirements.

The exterior sides of chimneys on exterior walls that face a street must be masonry.

All windows, doors and dormers are exempt from masonry requirements. EIFS and Hardi-Plank type products are considered masonry.

Masonry Supported By Wood

The Uniform Building Code specifically prohibits supporting masonry with wood members. The Town of Flower Mound does not allow masonry to be supported by wood, unless one of the following conditions are met.

1. The masonry load has been calculated by a structural engineer and the engineer has determined that the wood members will support the weight of the masonry. An original design letter must be submitted by the structural engineer with his/her PE stamp and signature on the letter.

2. The Brick on Wood Rafters policy prepared by the Society of Professional Building Designers in concurrence with the North Texas Chapter of the International Conference of Building Officials is followed.

3. The 2000 IRC (International Residential Code) for 1 and 2 family dwellings is followed.

Updated 4.8.03