R101 Scope and General Requirements — 2025 California Residential Code

These provisions shall be known as the Residential Code for One- and Two-family Dwellings of [ NAME OF JURISDICTION ], and shall be cited as such and will be referred to herein as “this code.”

The provisions of this code shall apply to the construction, alteration, movement, enlargement, replacement, repair, equipment, use and occupancy, location, removal and demolition of detached one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses not more than three stories above grade plane in height with a separate means of egress and their accessory structures not more than three stories above grade plane in height.

Exception: The following shall be permitted to be constructed in accordance with this code where provided with an automatic sprinkler system complying with Section R309 :

1. Live/work units located in townhouses and complying with the requirements of Section 508.5 of the California Building Code.

2. Owner-occupied lodging houses with five or fewer guestrooms.

3. A care facility with five or fewer persons receiving custodial care within a dwelling unit.

4. A care facility with five or fewer persons receiving medical care within a dwelling unit.

5. A day care facility for five or fewer persons of any age receiving care within a dwelling unit.

R101.2.1 Appendices. Provisions in the appendices shall not apply unless specifically adopted.

The purpose of this code is to establish minimum requirements to provide a reasonable level of safety, health and general welfare through affordability, structural strength, means of egress, stability, sanitation, light and ventilation, energy conservation and safety to life and property from fire and other hazards and to provide a reasonable level of safety to firefighters and emergency responders during emergency operations.