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Chapter 3 — BUILDING PLANNING

Section R315 — SLEEPING LOFTS

2025 California Residential Code (Title 24, Part 2.5) · 2025 edition · updated 2026-07-29 · California

Italicized text is a California amendment to the model code, as printed in the official publication.

R315.1 Sleeping lofts.

Where provided in dwelling units or sleeping units, sleeping lofts shall comply with this code as modified by Sections R315.2 through R315.5. Sleeping lofts constructed in compliance with this section shall be considered a portion of the story below. Such sleeping lofts shall not contribute to the number of stories as regulated by this code.

Exceptions: Sleeping lofts need not comply with Section R315 where they meet any of the following conditions:

  1. The sleeping loft has a depth of less than 3 feet (914 mm).
  2. The sleeping loft has a floor area of less than 35 square feet (3.3 m [2] ).
  3. The sleeping loft is not provided with a permanent means of egress.

R315.2 Sleeping loft limitations.

Sleeping lofts shall comply with the following conditions:

  1. The sleeping loft floor area shall be less than 70 square feet (6.5 m [2] ).
  2. The sleeping loft ceiling height shall not exceed 7 feet (2134 mm) for more than one-half of the sleeping loft floor area.

R315.3 Sleeping loft ceiling height.

The clear height below the sleeping loft floor construction shall not be less than 7 feet (2134 mm). The ceiling height above the finished floor of the sleeping loft shall not be less than 3 feet (914 mm). Spaces adjacent to the sleeping loft with a sloped ceiling measuring less than 3 feet (914 mm) from the finished floor to the finished ceiling shall not contribute to the sleeping loft floor area.

R315.4 Sleeping loft area.

The aggregate area of all sleeping lofts and mezzanines within a room shall comply with Section R314.3.

Exception: The area of a single sleeping loft located within a dwelling unit or sleeping unit equipped with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section R309 shall not be greater than two-thirds of the area of the room in which it is located, provided that no other sleeping lofts or mezzanines are open to the room in which the sleeping loft is located.

R315.5 Permanent egress for sleeping lofts.

A permanent means of egress shall be provided for sleeping lofts. The means of egress shall comply with Section R318 as modified by Sections R315.5.1 through R315.5.3.

R315.5.1 Ceiling height at sleeping loft means of egress. A ceiling height of not less than 3 feet (914 mm) shall be provided for the entire width of the means of egress from the sleeping loft.

R315.5.2 Stairways. Stairways providing egress from sleeping lofts shall be permitted to comply with Sections R315.5.2.1 through R315.5.2.3.

3-60 2025 CALIFORNIA RESIDENTIAL CODE

on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

BUILDING PLANNING

R315.5.2.1 Width. Stairways providing egress from a sleeping loft shall not be less than 17 inches (432 mm) in clear width at or above the handrail. The width below the handrail shall be not less than 20 inches (508 mm).

R315.5.2.2 Treads and risers. Risers for stairs providing egress from a sleeping loft shall be not less than 7 inches (178 mm) and not more than 12 inches (305 mm) in height. Tread depth and riser height shall be calculated in accordance with one of the following formulas:

  1. The tread depth shall be 20 inches (508 mm) minus four-thirds of the riser height.
  2. The riser height shall be 15 inches (381 mm) minus three-fourths of the tread depth.

R315.5.2.3 Landings. Landings at stairways providing egress from sleeping lofts shall comply with Section R318.7.6, except that the depth of landings in the direction of travel shall be not less than 24 inches (610 mm).

R315.5.3 Ladders. Ladders used as a means of egress from sleeping lofts shall comply with Sections R315.5.3.1 and R315.5.3.2.

R315.5.3.1 Size and capacity. Ladders providing egress from sleeping lofts shall have a rung width of not less than 12 inches (305 mm), and 10-inch (254 mm) to 14-inch (356 mm) spacing between rungs. Ladders shall be capable of supporting a 300pound (136 kg) load on any rung. Rung spacing shall be uniform within [3] / 8 inch (9.5 mm).

R315.5.3.2 Incline. Ladders shall be inclined at 70 to 80 degrees from horizontal.

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▸ Contents — 2025 California Residential Code (Title 24, Part 2.5)
2025 California Residential Code (Title 24, Part 2.5)
  1. Chapter 1 — ADMINISTRATION
  2. Chapter 2 — DEFINITIONS
  3. ▸ Chapter 3 — BUILDING PLANNING
    Overview
    1. Section R300 — SITE DRAINAGE
    2. Section R301 — DESIGN CRITERIA
    3. Section R302 — FIRE-RESISTANT CONSTRUCTION
    4. Section R303 — FOAM PLASTIC
    5. Section R304 — PROTECTION OF WOOD AND WOOD-BASED PRODUCTS AGAI…
    6. Section R305 — PROTECTION AGAINST SUBTERRANEAN TERMITES
    7. Section R306 — FLOOD-RESISTANT CONSTRUCTION
    8. Section R307 — STORM SHELTERS
    9. Section R308 — SITE ADDRESS
    10. Section R309 — AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEMS
    11. Section R310 — SMOKE ALARMS
    12. Section R311 — CARBON MONOXIDE ALARMS
    13. Section R312 — MINIMUM ROOM AREAS
    14. Section R313 — CEILING HEIGHT
    15. Section R314 — MEZZANINES
    16. Section R315 — SLEEPING LOFTS
    17. Section R316 — HABITABLE ATTICS
    18. Section R317 — GARAGES AND CARPORTS
    19. Section R318 — MEANS OF EGRESS
    20. Section R319 — EMERGENCY ESCAPE AND RESCUE OPENINGS
    21. Section R320 — HANDRAILS
    22. Section R321 — GUARDS AND WINDOW FALL PROTECTION
    23. Section R322 — ACCESSIBILITY
    24. Section R323 — ELEVATORS AND PLATFORM LIFTS
    25. Section R324 — GLAZING
    26. Section R325 — LIGHT, VENTILATION AND HEATING
    27. Section R326 — SANITATION
    28. Section R327 — TOILET, BATH AND SHOWER SPACES
    29. Section R328 — AGING-IN-PLACE DESIGN AND FALL PREVENTION
    30. Section R329 — SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS
    31. Section R330 — ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS
    32. Section R331 — STATIONARY ENGINE GENERATORS
    33. Section R332 — STATIONARY FUEL CELL POWER SYSTEMS
    34. Section R333 — RESERVED
    35. Section R334 — CONSTRUCTION WASTE REDUCTION, DISPOSAL AND RECY…
    36. Section R335 — SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR LICENSED 24-HOUR CARE FA…
    37. Section R336 — LARGE FAMILY DAY-CARE HOMES
    38. Section R337 — MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION METHODS FOR EXTERIOR…
    39. Section R338 — ELECTRIC VEHICLE
    40. Section 339 — RESERVED
    41. Section R340 — POLLUTANT CONTROL
  4. Chapter 4 — FOUNDATIONS
  5. Chapter 5 — FLOORS
  6. Chapter 6 — WALL CONSTRUCTION
  7. Chapter 7 — WALL COVERING
  8. Chapter 8 — ROOF-CEILING CONSTRUCTION
  9. Chapter 9 — ROOF ASSEMBLIES
  10. Chapter 10 — CHIMNEYS AND FIREPLACES
  11. Chapter 44 — REFERENCED STANDARDS
  12. Appendix AA — BOARD OF APPEALS
  13. Appendix AB — PERMIT FEES
  14. Appendix AC — RESERVED
  15. Appendix BA — RESERVED
  16. Appendix BB — TINY HOUSES
  17. Appendix BC — RESERVED
  18. Appendix BD — RESERVED
  19. Appendix BE — RADON CONTROL METHODS
  20. Appendix BF — PATIO COVERS
  21. Appendix BG — SOUND TRANSMISSION
  22. Appendix BH — AUTOMATIC VEHICULAR GATES
  23. Appendix BI — LIGHT STRAW-CLAY CONSTRUCTION
  24. Appendix BJ — STRAWBALE CONSTRUCTION
  25. Appendix BK — COB CONSTRUCTION (MONOLITHIC ADOBE)
  26. Appendix BL — HEMP-LIME (HEMPCRETE) CONSTRUCTION
  27. Appendix BM — 3D-PRINTED BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
  28. Appendix BN — EXTENDED PLATE WALL CONSTRUCTION
  29. Appendix BO — EXISTING BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES
  30. Appendix CA — RESERVED
  31. Appendix CB — RESERVED
  32. Appendix CC — RESERVED
  33. Appendix CD — RESERVED
  34. Appendix CE — RESERVED
  35. Appendix CF — RESERVED
  36. Appendix CG — NONSEWERED SANITATION SYSTEMS
  37. Appendix CH — PRIVATE SEWAGE DISPOSAL
  38. Appendix CI — SWIMMING POOL SAFETY ACT
  39. Appendix CJ — EMERGENCY HOUSING
  40. Appendix CK — AREAS PROTECTED BY THE FACILITIES OF THE CENTRAL…

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