Appendix CJ — EMERGENCY HOUSING
Section CJ104 — EMERGENCY SLEEPING CABINS
2025 California Residential Code (Title 24, Part 2.5) · 2025 edition · updated 2026-07-27 · California
Italicized text is a California amendment to the model code, as printed in the official publication.
CJ104.1 General. ¶
Emergency sleeping cabins shall have an interior floor area of not less than 70 square feet (6.5 m [2] ) for one occupant. Where more than one person occupies the cabin, the required floor area shall be increased at the rate of 50 square feet (4.65 m [2] ) for each occupant in excess of one. The interior floor area shall not exceed 400 square feet (37 m [2] ), excluding lofts.
CJ104.2 Live loads. ¶
Emergency sleeping cabins shall be designed to resist intrusion of wind, rain, and to support the following live loads: 1. Floor live loads not less than 40 pounds per square foot (1.92 kPa) of floor area. 2. Horizontal live loads not less than 15 pounds per square foot (718 Pa) of vertical wall and roof area. 3. Roof live loads not less than 20 pounds per square foot (958 Pa) of horizontal roof area. 4. In areas where snow loads are greater than 20 pounds per square foot (958 Pa), the roof shall be designed and constructed to resist these additional loads.
CJ104.3 Minimum ceiling height. ¶
Habitable space and hallways in emergency sleeping cabins shall have a ceiling height of not less than 80 inches (2032 mm). Bathrooms, toilet rooms, and kitchens, if provided, shall have a ceiling height of not less than 76 inches (1930 mm). Obstructions shall not extend below these minimum ceiling heights including beams, girders, ducts, lighting and other obstructions.
Exception: Ceiling heights in lofts constructed in accordance with Section CJ108 are permitted to be less than 80 inches (2032 mm).
CJ104.4 Means of egress. ¶
Emergency sleeping cabins shall be provided with at least two forms of egress placed remotely from each other. One form of egress may be an egress window complying with Section CJ104.4.1. When a loft is provided, one form of egress shall be an egress window complying with Section CJ104.4.1, provided in the loft space.
CJ104.4.1 Egress window. The bottom of the clear opening of the egress window shall not be more than 44 inches (1118 mm) above the floor. The egress window shall have a minimum net clear opening height of 24 inches (610 mm), and a minimum net clear opening width of 20 inches (508 mm). The egress window shall have a minimum net clear opening area of 5 square feet (0.465 m [2] ).
CJ104.5 Plumbing and gas service. ¶
If an emergency sleeping cabin contains plumbing or gas service, it shall comply with all applicable requirements of the California Plumbing Code and the California Mechanical Code.
CJ104.6 Electrical. ¶
Emergency sleeping cabins shall be provided with all of the following installed in compliance with the California Electrical Code:
1. Continuous source of electricity. Exception: The source of electricity may be an emergency generator or renewable source of power such as solar or wind
power.
APPENDIX CJ-4 2025 CALIFORNIA RESIDENTIAL CODE
on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.
APPENDIX CJ — EMERGENCY HOUSING
2. At least one interior lighting fixture. 3. Electrical heating equipment listed for residential use and a dedicated receptacle outlet for the electrical heating equipment. Exception: Electrical heating equipment and a dedicated receptacle outlet for the electrical heating equipment are not required if non-electrical source of heating is provided. 4. At least one GFCI-protected receptacle outlet for use by the occupant(s).
CJ104.7 Ventilation. ¶
Emergency sleeping cabins shall be provided with means of ventilation (natural and/or mechanical) allowing for adequate air replacement, as determined by the enforcing agency.
CJ104.8 Smoke alarms. ¶
Emergency sleeping cabins shall be provided with at least one smoke alarm installed in accordance with Section R314.
CJ104.9 Carbon monoxide alarms. ¶
If an emergency sleeping cabin contains a fuel-burning appliance(s) or a fireplace(s), a carbon monoxide alarm shall be installed in accordance with Section R315.
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Ask AI about this code▸ Contents — 2025 California Residential Code (Title 24, Part 2.5)
- Chapter 1 — ADMINISTRATION
- Chapter 2 — DEFINITIONS
- Chapter 3 — BUILDING PLANNING
- Chapter 4 — FOUNDATIONS
- Chapter 5 — FLOORS
- Chapter 6 — WALL CONSTRUCTION
- Chapter 7 — WALL COVERING
- Chapter 8 — ROOF-CEILING CONSTRUCTION
- Chapter 9 — ROOF ASSEMBLIES
- Chapter 10 — CHIMNEYS AND FIREPLACES
- Chapter 44 — REFERENCED STANDARDS
- Appendix AA — BOARD OF APPEALS
- Appendix AB — PERMIT FEES
- Appendix AC — RESERVED
- Appendix BA — RESERVED
- Appendix BB — TINY HOUSES
- Appendix BC — RESERVED
- Appendix BD — RESERVED
- Appendix BE — RADON CONTROL METHODS
- Appendix BF — PATIO COVERS
- Appendix BG — SOUND TRANSMISSION
- Appendix BH — AUTOMATIC VEHICULAR GATES
- Appendix BI — LIGHT STRAW-CLAY CONSTRUCTION
- Appendix BJ — STRAWBALE CONSTRUCTION
- Appendix BK — COB CONSTRUCTION (MONOLITHIC ADOBE)
- Appendix BL — HEMP-LIME (HEMPCRETE) CONSTRUCTION
- Appendix BM — 3D-PRINTED BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
- Appendix BN — EXTENDED PLATE WALL CONSTRUCTION
- Appendix BO — EXISTING BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES
- Appendix CA — RESERVED
- Appendix CB — RESERVED
- Appendix CC — RESERVED
- Appendix CD — RESERVED
- Appendix CE — RESERVED
- Appendix CF — RESERVED
- Appendix CG — NONSEWERED SANITATION SYSTEMS
- Appendix CH — PRIVATE SEWAGE DISPOSAL
- Appendix CI — SWIMMING POOL SAFETY ACT
-
▸ Appendix CJ — EMERGENCY HOUSING
Overview- Section CJ101 — GENERAL
- Section CJ102 — DEFINITIONS
- Section CJ103 — EMERGENCY HOUSING
- Section CJ104 — EMERGENCY SLEEPING CABINS
- Section CJ105 — EMERGENCY TRANSPORTABLE HOUSING UNITS
- Section CJ106 — TENTS AND MEMBRANE STRUCTURES
- Section CJ107 — ACCESSIBILITY
- Section CJ108 — LOFTS IN EMERGENCY HOUSING
- Section CJ109 — LOCATION, MAINTENANCE AND IDENTIFICATION
- Section CJ110 — EMERGENCY HOUSING FACILITIES
- Appendix CK — AREAS PROTECTED BY THE FACILITIES OF THE CENTRAL…