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Chapter 8-5 — MEANS OF EGRESS

Section 8-503 — ESCAPE OR RESCUE WINDOWS AND DOORS

2025 California Historical Building Code (Title 24, Part 8) · 2025 edition · updated 2026-07-29 · California

Basements in dwelling units and every sleeping room below the fourth floor shall have at least one openable window or door approved for emergency escape which shall open directly into a public street, public way, yard or exit court. Escape or rescue windows or doors shall have a minimum clear area of 3.3 square feet (0.31 m [2] ) and a minimum width or height dimension of 18 inches (457 mm) and be operable from the inside to provide a full, clear opening without the use of special tools.

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▸ Contents — 2025 California Historical Building Code (Title 24, Part 8)
2025 California Historical Building Code (Title 24, Part 8)
  1. Chapter 8-1 — ADMINISTRATION
  2. Chapter 8-2 — DEFINITIONS
  3. Chapter 8-3 — USE AND OCCUPANCY
  4. Chapter 8-4 — FIRE PROTECTION
  5. ▸ Chapter 8-5 — MEANS OF EGRESS
    Overview
    1. Section 8-501 — PURPOSE, INTENT AND SCOPE
    2. Section 8-502 — GENERAL
    3. Section 8-503 — ESCAPE OR RESCUE WINDOWS AND DOORS
    4. Section 8-504 — RAILINGS AND GUARDRAILS
  6. Chapter 8-6 — ACCESSIBILITY
  7. Chapter 8-7 — STRUCTURAL REGULATIONS
  8. Chapter 8-8 — ARCHAIC MATERIALS AND METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION
  9. Chapter 8-9 — MECHANICAL, PLUMBING AND ELECTRICAL REQUIREMENTS
  10. Chapter 8-10 — QUALIFIED HISTORICAL DISTRICTS, SITES AND OPEN …

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