Building Code›Chapter 36 — CALIFORNIA RESIDENTIAL CODE (CRC)
San Francisco County Municipal Code § 2.9 Balcony Requirements
San Francisco County Municipal Code · 2026-09 edition · updated 2026-10-04 · San Francisco County
Cite as: San Francisco County Municipal Code § 2.9 · Text as of 2026-10-04
2.9.1 Fire escape balcony platforms shall be not more than 8 inches below the door sill…¶
2.9.2 Every fire escape balcony shall be not less than 44 inches in width and not less…¶
EXCEPTIONS:
- On existing buildings where the existing construction will not permit a balcony 10 feet in length, special balconies may be installed subject to the approval of the Director.
- Balconies of 30 inches by 60 inches may be permitted when serving emergency escape or rescue windows or when serving ladders to the roof.
2.9.3 Ladder or stair openings in standard fire escape balcony floors shall be not less…¶
2.9.4 A passageway not less than 20 inches wide shall be provided next to the building.¶
2.9.5 The height of balcony balustrades shall conform to Section 1015.3.¶
2.9.6 The area between the top rail and the floor of the balcony shall be protected by…¶
noncombustible filling, except that material of less than 12 gauge expanded metal or wire mesh shall not be used.
2.9.7 Balusters, gratings, grills, and approved panels or fillings shall meet design load requirements.¶
The balusters and intermediate rails shall be
placed so that a 4-inch diameter ball cannot pass through the balustrade.
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