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Building Code Reference

Got a CRC R703.7 correction?

Stucco weep screed

For builders in California, Greater Seattle, the Las Vegas area, the Denver area and Kansas City · CrossBeam Permits

What this code requires, how to fix it, and how cities and counties review it

What this code requires

CRC R703.7 requires a corrosion-resistant weep screed at the base of any exterior stucco (cement plaster) wall assembly. The screed must be installed at the foundation line, positioned at least 4 inches above finished grade and at least 2 inches above paved surfaces like driveways or patios. It creates a drainage gap at the bottom of the stucco so moisture trapped inside the wall assembly has a path out instead of rotting the framing behind it. New single-family homes, ADUs, and additions with stucco cladding will hit this correction if the weep screed detail is missing or undersized on the plans.

How to fix it

  1. Add a wall section showing the weep screed at the foundation line

    Include a wall section detail at 1/2"=1' or 3/4"=1' scale that clearly shows the weep screed installed at or below the foundation plate line at the bottom of the stucco assembly. The detail needs to be a distinct drawing, not a note. Plan-checkers want to see the actual condition, not a reference to 'per code.'

  2. Dimension 4 inches of clearance above unpaved grade

    On the wall section, add a dimension showing the weep screed positioned at least 4 inches above the finished grade. Use the finish grade elevation as your datum, not rough or existing grade. If the grade slopes along the wall, show the dimension at the lowest point. Label the dimension line clearly: "4" MIN ABOVE FINISHED GRADE."

  3. Call out 2 inches above paved surfaces separately

    If any portion of the wall base is adjacent to a concrete slab, patio, driveway, or other paved surface, add a separate note or second condition showing the 2-inch minimum clearance above the paved surface. This is a distinct requirement from the 4-inch grade clearance, and you need to show both conditions if both apply to the project. A plan note that reads "2" MIN ABOVE PAVED SURFACE" next to the relevant wall run is usually enough if the section already covers the unpaved case.

  4. Specify a corrosion-resistant screed material

    The weep screed must be corrosion-resistant. Acceptable: plastic weep screed (most common on California residential work) or corrosion-resistant metal at least 0.019 inch (No. 26 galvanized sheet gage), with a 3-1/2-inch minimum attachment flange. Call out the material on the detail or in the general notes. Something like "WEEP SCREED: PLASTIC OR MIN. NO. 26 GA. GALVANIZED, 3-1/2" MIN. FLANGE, PER CRC R703.7.2.1" works. Bare steel or uncoated metal is not acceptable.

  5. Show the screed profile if the reviewer asks for a detail

    The code requires a weep screed of a type that lets trapped water drain to the exterior, with the WRB lapping its attachment flange and the lath ending on that flange. If your plan-check comments ask for more information, include a manufacturer cut sheet for the screed product you spec, or show the profile in section. Most reviewers are satisfied with the dimensions and material callout on the wall section without a separate cut sheet.

  6. Address the transition at existing stucco if this is an addition

    If the project is adding square footage against an existing stucco wall, add a note or detail showing how the new weep screed ties into the existing assembly at the connection point. If the existing wall has no weep screed (common on pre-1990 construction), note on the drawings that new stucco work will include a weep screed at the base of the new work only, or coordinate with the inspector about the repair scope. Do not leave this transition unaddressed in the plan set.

  7. Confirm finish grade is shown on the site plan or grading plan

    The plan-checker needs to verify your 4-inch clearance dimension against an actual grade elevation. Make sure your site plan or grading plan shows finish grade at the building perimeter. If your site plan only shows existing grade, add a note with finish grade elevation at the corners of the structure. Without that reference, the reviewer cannot confirm the 4-inch dimension holds at all walls.

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Why you got flagged

Plan-checkers flag R703.7 most often when the wall section detail either skips the weep screed entirely or shows it without dimensioning the clearance above grade. If your architectural sheets show stucco on the exterior walls but the foundation-to-wall junction is drawn as a single line with no weep screed callout, the reviewer will cite this section and send it back. That missing detail is the single most common trigger.

The second common scenario is dimensioning. Some drawings show the screed but place it at 2 inches above grade, which meets the old standard but not the current 4-inch minimum for unpaved surfaces in the 2025 CRC. Even if you drew it to scale, a reviewer who spots the number 2" on the detail will flag it.

A third scenario shows up on remodel projects where an addition ties into an existing stucco wall. The existing wall may have had no weep screed (older construction), and the permit package does not address how the new assembly transitions at grade. The plan-checker cannot approve a new stucco scope without seeing how the drainage at the base is handled, especially if the finished grade changed with the remodel.

One more situation: projects where concrete flatwork like a patio or driveway runs up against the stucco base. R703.7 requires 2 inches of clearance above paved surfaces, which is less than the 4-inch unpaved requirement. Designers sometimes forget to distinguish these conditions on the drawings, leaving the reviewer without enough information to confirm compliance.

The official code

CRC R703.7 Exterior Plaster (Stucco), weep screeds at R703.7.2.1, 2025 California Residential Code, Chapter 7 Wall Covering

Read the source →

Common questions

Does CRC R703.7 apply to ADUs with stucco siding?
Yes. R703.7 applies to any new cement plaster (stucco) exterior wall assembly on a residential structure, including ADUs. If your ADU plans show stucco cladding, the weep screed detail is required regardless of whether the ADU is attached or detached. This is one of the corrections that comes up frequently on ADU permit packages because the architectural sheets focus on square footage and layout, and the wall base detail gets dropped. Check every exterior wall section before you submit.
What is the minimum height for a weep screed above grade in California?
Under the 2025 California Residential Code, the weep screed must be at least 4 inches above finished grade on unpaved surfaces. For paved surfaces like a concrete driveway, patio, or walkway, the minimum is 2 inches above the paved surface. Both measurements are from the finished surface elevation, not rough or existing grade. If you are unsure which finished grade elevation applies, use the grade shown on your grading or civil plan, or the lowest grade point immediately adjacent to the wall.
Can I use PVC weep screed to meet the corrosion-resistant requirement?
Yes, PVC weep screed meets the corrosion-resistant material requirement under R703.7. It is actually the most commonly installed product on California residential projects because it will not rust, costs less than galvanized alternatives, and is easy to cut to length. Galvanized steel and aluminum products also qualify. Whatever product you use, call out the material on your wall section detail or in the notes so the plan-checker can confirm compliance without having to ask.
My existing house has no weep screed. Do I need to add one for a remodel permit?
It depends on the scope of your remodel and how much stucco work is included. If you are repairing or replacing stucco as part of the permitted work, the new stucco sections typically need to comply with current code, which includes the weep screed. If you are doing interior work only and not touching the exterior stucco at all, you generally do not need to retrofit the existing wall base. That said, individual plan-checkers may interpret the scope differently, and some cities ask for a broader upgrade. Get the specific correction comment in writing and address exactly what the reviewer flagged.
Does the weep screed sit on top of the foundation or attach to the framing?
The weep screed typically attaches to the framing at the bottom of the wall, at or near the sill plate level, above the foundation. It is not embedded in the concrete. The screed sits against the face of the sheathing or directly on the framing, with the nose of the screed extending below the bottom of the sheathing line. This creates the overhang that lets water drip away from the foundation rather than running back behind the stucco. Your wall section detail should show this relationship clearly: framing, sheathing or water-resistive barrier, then the weep screed positioned at the foundation-to-wall transition.
What material do I need behind the stucco wall assembly under R703.7?
R703.7 addresses the weep screed specifically. The broader R703 series covers the full stucco wall assembly, which requires a water-resistive barrier (WRB) behind the stucco. The WRB is typically a Grade D building paper or a housewrap product approved for use behind stucco. The weep screed and the WRB work together: the WRB directs any water that gets behind the stucco down toward the weep screed opening, where it drains out. If your corrections letter cites both R703.7 and R703.2, fix both in the same resubmission.

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