Occupancy classification & control areas

Grounded in the retrieved California Building Code — click a citation to read the verbatim passage:

• CBC § 308.4.2 High relevance — show source text

  308.4.2 Condition 2. This occupancy condition shall include buildings in which free movement is allowed from sleeping areas and any other occupied smoke compartment to one or more other smoke compartments. Egress to the exterior is impeded by locked exits.

  308.4.3 Condition 3. This occupancy condition shall include buildings in which free movement is allowed within individual smoke compartments, such as within a residential unit composed of individual sleeping units and group activity spaces, where

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  OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION AND USE

  egress is impeded by remote-controlled release of means of egress from such a smoke compartment to another smoke compartment.

  308.4.4 Condition 4. This occupancy condition shall include buildings in which free movement is restricted from an occupied space. Remote-controlled release is provided to permit movement from sleeping units, activity spaces and other occupied areas within the smoke compartment to other smoke compartments.

  308.4.5 Condition 5. This occupancy condition shall include buildings in which free movement is restricted from an occupied space. Staff-controlled manual release is provided to permit movement from sleeping units, activity spaces and other occupied areas within the smoke compartment to other smoke compartments.

  308.4.6 Condition 6. This occupancy condition shall include buildings containing only one temporary holding facility with six or fewer persons under restraint or security where the building is protected throughout with a monitored automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 and where the temporary holding facility is protected throughout with an automatic fire alarm system with notification appliances. A Condition 6 building shall be permitted to be classified as a Group B occupancy.

  308.4.7 Condition 7. This occupancy condition shall include buildings containing only one temporary holding facility with nine or less persons under restraint or security where limited to the first or second story, provided the building complies with Section 408.1.2.6. A Condition 7 building shall be permitted to be classified as a Group B occupancy.

  308.4.8 Condition 8. This occupancy condition shall include buildings containing not more than four secure interview rooms located within the same fire area where not more than six occupants under restraint are located in the same fire area. A Condition 8 building shall be is permitted to be classified as a Group B occupancy, provided the requirements in Section 408.1.2.7 are met.

  308.4.9 Condition 9. This occupancy condition shall include buildings where the use of the building is for correctional medical care or correctional mental health care.

  308.5 Institutional Group I-4, day care facilities. Institutional Group I-4 occupancy shall include buildings and structures occupied by more than six clients of any age who receive custodial care for fewer than 24 hours per day by persons other than parents or guardians; relatives by blood, marriage or adoption; and in a place other than the home of the clients cared for. This group shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

  Adult day care

  Child day care (not classified as Group E)

• CBC § 308.3. High relevance — show source text

  Psychiatric hospitals

  308.3. 1 Five or fewer persons receiving medical care . A facility with five or fewer persons receiving medical care shall be classified as Group R-3 .1 or shall comply with the California Residential Code provided an automatic sprinkler system is installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.3 of this code or Section R309 of the California Residential Code .

  308.3.2 Reserved.

  308.4 Institutional Group I-3. Institutional Group I-3 occupancy shall include buildings or portions of buildings and structures that are inhabited by more than five persons who are under restraint or security. A Group I-3 facility is occupied by persons who are generally incapable of self-preservation due to security measures not under the occupants’ control which includes persons restrained. This group shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

  Correctional centers Correctional hospitals Correctional nursing facilities Correctional mental health facilities

  Correctional treatment centers Courthouse holding facility Detention centers

  Detention treatment room

  Jails

  Juvenile halls

  Prerelease centers

  Prisons

  Reformatories

  Secure interview rooms Temporary holding facility

  Buildings of Group I-3 shall be classified as one of the occupancy conditions specified in Sections 308.4.1 through 308.5.8 and shall comply with Section 408.

  308.4.1 Condition 1. This occupancy condition shall include buildings in which free movement is allowed from sleeping areas, and other spaces where access or occupancy is permitted, to the exterior via means of egress without restraint. A Condition 1 facility is permitted to be constructed as Group R.

  308.4.2 Condition 2. This occupancy condition shall include buildings in which free movement is allowed from sleeping areas and any other occupied smoke compartment to one or more other smoke compartments. Egress to the exterior is impeded by locked exits.

  308.4.3 Condition 3. This occupancy condition shall include buildings in which free movement is allowed within individual smoke compartments, such as within a residential unit composed of individual sleeping units and group activity spaces, where

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  OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION AND USE

  egress is impeded by remote-controlled release of means of egress from such a smoke compartment to another smoke compartment.

  308.4.4 Condition 4. This occupancy condition shall include buildings in which free movement is restricted from an occupied space. Remote-controlled release is provided to permit movement from sleeping units, activity spaces and other occupied areas within the smoke compartment to other smoke compartments.

  308.4.5 Condition 5. This occupancy condition shall include buildings in which free movement is restricted from an occupied space. Staff-controlled manual release is provided to permit movement from sleeping units, activity spaces and other occupied areas within the smoke compartment to other smoke compartments.

  308.4.6 Condition 6. This occupancy condition shall include buildings containing only one temporary holding facility with six or fewer persons under restraint or security where the building is protected throughout with a monitored automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 and where the temporary holding facility is protected throughout with an automatic fire alarm system with notification appliances. A Condition 6 building shall be permitted to be classified as a Group B occupancy.

• CBC § 310.2 High relevance — show source text

  1|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |310.2|||X|X||||||||||||||||||||| |310.3|||X|X||||||||||||||||||||| |310.3.1|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |310.3.2|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |310.4|||X|X||||||||||||||||||||| |310.4.1|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |310.4.2|||X|X|X|||||||||||||||||||| |310.5|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |310.6|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |313|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |314|||X||||||||||||||||||||||

  The state agency does not adopt sections identified with the following symbol: The Office of the State Fire Marshal’s adoption of this chapter or individual sections is applicable to structures regulated by other state agencies pursuant to Section 1.11.

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  User notes:

  About this chapter: Chapter 3 provides the criteria by which buildings and structures are classified into use groups and occupancies. Through the balance of the code, occupancy classification is fundamental in the setting of features of construction; occupant safety requirements, especially building limitations; means of egress; fire protection systems; and interior finishes.

  ICC code development note: Code change proposals to sections preceded by the designation [F] will be considered by the IFC code development committee meeting during the 2024 (Group A) Code Development Cycle. All other code change proposals will be considered by a code development committee meeting during the 2025 (Group B) Code Development Cycle.

  SECTION 301—SCOPE

  301.1 General. The provisions of this chapter shall control the classification of all buildings and structures as to occupancy and use. Different classifications of occupancy and use represent varying levels of hazard and risk to building occupants and adjacent properties.

  SECTION 302—OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION AND USE DESIGNATION

  302.1 Occupancy classification. Occupancy classification is the formal designation of the primary purpose of the building, structure or portion thereof. Structures shall be classified into one or more of the occupancy groups specified in this section based on the nature of the hazards and risks to building occupants generally associated with the intended purpose of the building or structure. An area, room or space that is intended to be occupied at different times for different purposes shall comply with all applicable requirements associated with such potential multipurpose. Structures containing multiple occupancy groups shall comply with Section 508. Where a structure is proposed for a purpose that is not specified in this section, such structure shall be classified in the occupancy it most nearly resembles based on the fire safety and relative hazard. Occupiable roofs shall be classified in the group that the occupancy most nearly resembles, according to the fire safety and relative hazard, and shall comply with Section 503.1.4.

  1. Assembly (see Section 303): Groups A-1, A-2, A-3, A-4 and A-5.
  2. Business (see Section 304): Group B.
• CBC § 301.1 High relevance — show source text

  ICC code development note: Code change proposals to sections preceded by the designation [F] will be considered by the IFC code development committee meeting during the 2024 (Group A) Code Development Cycle. All other code change proposals will be considered by a code development committee meeting during the 2025 (Group B) Code Development Cycle.

  SECTION 301—SCOPE

  301.1 General. The provisions of this chapter shall control the classification of all buildings and structures as to occupancy and use. Different classifications of occupancy and use represent varying levels of hazard and risk to building occupants and adjacent properties.

  SECTION 302—OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION AND USE DESIGNATION

  302.1 Occupancy classification. Occupancy classification is the formal designation of the primary purpose of the building, structure or portion thereof. Structures shall be classified into one or more of the occupancy groups specified in this section based on the nature of the hazards and risks to building occupants generally associated with the intended purpose of the building or structure. An area, room or space that is intended to be occupied at different times for different purposes shall comply with all applicable requirements associated with such potential multipurpose. Structures containing multiple occupancy groups shall comply with Section 508. Where a structure is proposed for a purpose that is not specified in this section, such structure shall be classified in the occupancy it most nearly resembles based on the fire safety and relative hazard. Occupiable roofs shall be classified in the group that the occupancy most nearly resembles, according to the fire safety and relative hazard, and shall comply with Section 503.1.4.

  1. Assembly (see Section 303): Groups A-1, A-2, A-3, A-4 and A-5.
  2. Business (see Section 304): Group B. 3. [SFM] Organized Camps (see Section 450): Group C. 4. Educational (see Section 305): Group E. 5. Factory and Industrial (see Section 306): Groups F-1 and F-2. 6. High Hazard (see Section 307): Groups H-1, H-2, H-3, H-4 and H-5. 7. Institutional (see Section 308): Groups I-2, I-3 and I-4. 8. [SFM] Laboratory (see Section 202): Group B, unless classified as Group L (see Section 453) or Group H (see Section 307). 9. [SFM] Laboratory Suites (see Section 453): Group L. 10. Mercantile (see Section 309): Group M. 11 . Residential (see Section 310): Groups R-1, R-2, R-2.1, R-3, R-3.1 and R-4. 12 . Storage (see Section 311): Groups S-1 and S-2. 13 . Utility and Miscellaneous (see Section 312): Group U. 14. [SFM] Existing buildings housing existing protective social care homes or facilities established prior to 1972 (see California Fire Code Chapter 11 and California Existing Building Code).

  302.1.1 Reserved

  302.1.2 Reserved

  302.1.3 Pharmacies; veterinary facilities; barbering, cosmetology or electrolysis establishments; and acupuncture offices. See Chapter 12.

• CBC § 3-6 Medium relevance — show source text

  Furniture

  Hemp products

  Jute products

  Laundries

  Leather products

  Lithium-ion batteries

  Machinery

  Metals

  Millwork (sash and door)

  [SFM] Motion picture and television production studio Sound Stages, Approved Production Facilities and production locations (with- out live audiences)

  Motion pictures and television filming (without spectators)

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  OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION AND USE

  Musical instruments

  Optical goods

  Paper mills or products

  Photographic film

  Plastic products

  Printing or publishing

  Recreational vehicles

  Refuse incineration

  Shoes

  Soaps and detergents

  Textiles

  Tobacco

  Trailers

  Upholstering

  Vehicles powered by lithium-ion or lithium metal batteries

  Water/sewer treatment facilities

  Wood; distillation

  Woodworking (cabinet)

  306.2.1 Aircraft manufacturing facilities. Aircraft manufacturing facilities shall comply with Section 412.6.

  306.3 Low-hazard factory industrial, Group F-2. Factory industrial uses that involve the fabrication or manufacturing of noncombustible materials that during finishing, packing or processing do not involve a significant fire hazard shall be classified as Group F-2 occupancies and shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

  Beverages: up to and including 20-percent alcohol content

  Brick and masonry

  Ceramic products

  Foundries

  Glass products

  Gypsum

  Ice

  Metal products (fabrication and assembly)

  SECTION 307—HIGH-HAZARD GROUP H

  [F] 307.1 High-hazard Group H. High-hazard Group H occupancy includes, among others, the use of a building or structure, or a portion thereof, that involves the manufacturing, processing, generation or storage of materials that constitute a physical or health hazard in quantities in excess of those allowed in control areas complying with Section 414, based on the maximum allowable quantity limits for control areas set forth in Tables 307.1(1) and 307.1(2). Hazardous occupancies are classified in Groups H-1, H-2, H-3, H-4 and H-5 and shall be in accordance with this section, the requirements of Section 415 and the California Fire Code . Hazardous materials stored or used on top of roofs or canopies shall be classified as rooftop storage or use and shall comply with the California Fire Code .

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  OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION AND USE

  [F] TABLE 307.1(1)—MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE QUANTITY PER CONTROL AREA OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS POSING A PHYSICAL HAZARDa, i, l, m	Col2	Col3	Col4	Col5	Col6	Col7	Col8	Col9	Col10	Col11
  MATERIAL	CLASS	GROUP WHEN THE MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE QUANTITY IS EXCEEDED	STORAGEb	STORAGEb	STORAGEb	**USE-CLOSED

• CBC § 414.1 Medium relevance — show source text

  Exception: Neither fire-resistance-rated construction nor opening protectives are required in any of the following locations:

  1. Areas protected by approved automatic sprinkler systems.
  2. Group R-3 and U occupancies.

  SECTION 414—HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

  [F] 414.1 General. Buildings and structures occupied for the manufacturing, processing, dispensing, use or storage of hazardous materials shall comply with Sections 414.1 through 414.6.

  Exception: Exemptions listed in Table 307.1.1 shall not be required to comply with Section 414.

  [F] 414.1.1 Other provisions. Buildings and structures with an occupancy in Group H shall comply with this section and the applicable provisions of Section 415 and the California Fire Code. See Section 453 for Group L occupancies.

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  SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON OCCUPANCY AND USE

  [F] 414.1.2 Materials. The safe design of hazardous material occupancies is material dependent. Individual material requirements are found in Sections 307 and 415, the California Mechanical Cod e and the California Fire Code.

  [F] 414.1.2.1 Aerosol products, aerosol cooking spray products and plastic aerosol 3 products. Level 2 and 3 aerosol products, aerosol cooking spray products and plastic aerosol 3 products shall be stored and displayed in accordance with the California Fire Code . See Section 311.2 and the California Fire Code for occupancy group requirements.

  [F] 414.1.3 Information required. A report shall be submitted to the building official identifying the maximum expected quantities of hazardous materials to be stored, used in a closed system and used in an open system, and subdivided to separately address hazardous material classification categories based on Tables 307.1(1) and 307.1(2). The methods of protection from such hazards, including but not limited to control areas, fire protection systems and Group H occupancies shall be indicated in the report and on the construction documents. The opinion and report shall be prepared by a qualified person, firm or corporation approved by the building official and provided without charge to the enforcing agency.

  For buildings and structures with an occupancy in Group H, separate floor plans shall be submitted identifying the locations of anticipated contents and processes so as to reflect the nature of each occupied portion of every building and structure.

  [F] 414.2 Control areas. Control areas shall comply with Sections 414.2.1 through 414.2.5 and the California Fire Code .

  [F] 414.2.1 Construction requirements. Control areas shall be separated from each other by fire barriers constructed in accordance with Section 707 or horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with Section 711, or both.

  [F] 414.2.2 Percentage of maximum allowable quantities. The percentage of maximum allowable quantities of hazardous materials per control area permitted at each floor level within a building shall be in accordance with Table 414.2.2.

• CBC § 903.3.1.1 Medium relevance — show source text

  Exceptions:

  1. The occupancy located on an occupiable roof shall not be limited to the occupancies allowed on the story immediately below the roof where the building is equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2 and occupant notification in accordance with Sections 907.5.2.1 and 907.5.2.3 is provided in the area of the occupiable roof. Emergency voice/alarm communication system notification per Section 907.5.2.2 shall also be provided in the area of the occupiable roof where such system is required elsewhere in the building.
  2. Assembly occupancies shall be permitted on roofs of open parking spaces of Type I or Type II construction, in accordance with the exception to Section 903.2.1.6.

  503.1.4.1 Enclosures over occupiable roof areas. Elements or structures enclosing the occupiable roof areas shall not extend more than 48 inches (1220 mm) above the surface of the occupiable roof.

  Exceptions:

  1. Penthouses constructed in accordance with Section 1511.2 and towers, domes, spires and cupolas constructed in accordance with Section 1511.5.

  2. Elements or structures enclosing the occupiable roof areas where the roof deck is located more than 75 feet (22 860 mm) above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access.

  SECTION 504—BUILDING HEIGHT AND NUMBER OF STORIES

  504.1 General. The height, in feet, and the number of stories of a building shall be determined based on the type of construction, occupancy classification and whether there is an automatic sprinkler system installed throughout the building.

  Exception: The building height of one-story aircraft hangars, aircraft paint hangars and buildings used for the manufacturing of aircraft shall not be limited where the building is provided with an automatic sprinkler system or automatic fire-extinguishing system in accordance with Chapter 9 and is entirely surrounded by public ways or yards not less in width than one and one-half times the building height.

  504.1.1 Unlimited area buildings. The height of unlimited area buildings shall be designed in accordance with Section 507.

  504.1.2 Special provisions. The special provisions of Section 510 permit the use of special conditions that are exempt from, or modify, the specific requirements of this chapter regarding the allowable heights of buildings based on the occupancy classification and type of construction, provided the special condition complies with the provisions specified in Section 510.

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  GENERAL BUILDING HEIGHTS AND AREAS

  504.2 Mixed occupancy. In a building containing mixed occupancies in accordance with Section 508, no individual occupancy shall exceed the height and number of story limits specified in this section for the applicable occupancies.

  504.3 Height in feet. The maximum height, in feet, of a building shall not exceed the limits specified in Table 504.3.

  Exception: Towers, spires, steeples and other rooftop structures shall be constructed of materials consistent with the required type of construction of the building except where other construction is permitted by Section 1511.2.4. Such structures shall not be used for habitation or storage. The structures shall be unlimited in height where of noncombustible materials and shall not extend more than 20 feet (6096 mm) above the allowable building height where of combustible materials (see Chapter 15 for additional requirements).

  |TABLE 504.

• CBC § 1.10.1 Medium relevance — show source text

  Chapter 5A Prescriptive Compliance Method.

  Chapter 5A provides details for the prescriptive compliance method for alteration, addition and change of occupancy of existing build- ings and structures regulated by the Department of Health Care Access and Information/Office of Statewide Hospital Planning and Development, which include hospitals and correctional treatment centers (applications listed in Sections 1.10.1 (OSHPD 1).

  Chapter 6 Classification of Work.

  Chapter 6 provides an overview of the Work Area Method and defines the different classifications of work including alterations, change of occupancy, additions and historic buildings. Detailed requirements for all of these are given in subsequent Chapters 7 through 11.

  Chapter 7 Alterations—Level 1.

  Chapter 7 provides the technical requirements for those existing buildings that undergo Level 1 alterations as described in Section 602, which includes replacement or covering of existing materials, elements, equipment or fixtures using new materials for the same purpose. This chapter is distinguished from Chapters 8 and 9 by only involving replacement of building components with new components with no reconfiguration of space.

  Chapter 8 Alterations—Level 2.

  A Level 2 alteration is an alteration involving space reconfiguration that could be up to and including 50 percent of the area of the building or addition of a new building system. Level 2 alterations also include the extension or addition of any system or equipment. The purpose of Chapter 8 is to provide detailed requirements and provisions to identify the required improvements in the existing building elements, means of egress, fire protection, structural systems, energy efficiency, and other building systems include electrical, mechanical and plumbing when a building is being altered.

  Chapter 9 Alterations—Level 3.

  Chapter 9 provides the technical requirements for those existing buildings that undergo Level 3 alterations. Level 3 alterations are those involving alterations that cover 50 percent of the aggregate area of the building. Under certain situations, this chapter also intends to improve the safety of certain building features beyond the work area and in other parts of the building where no alteration work might be taking place.

  Chapter 10 Change of Occupancy.

  The purpose of Chapter 10 is to address existing buildings that are subject to a change of occupancy. This chapter is an assembly of requirements to upgrade safety without having to comply fully as a new building. A change of occupancy classification is considered a change of occupancy, however, it will involve a higher level of regulation since the use of the building has made a more significant change.

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  Chapter 11 Additions.

  Chapter 11 provides the requirements for additions, which are considered new construction. The requirements focus on safely integrating the addition with the existing building. This includes issues such as limiting the overall height and area of the building where the addition is not separated by a fire wall.

  Chapter 12 Historic Buildings —Reserved

  Chapter 12 is not adopted by the State of California. Historic buildings and structures shall comply with Part 8, Title 24, California Code of Regulations.

  Chapter 13 Performance Compliance Methods.

  Chapter 13 allows for existing buildings to be evaluated to show that alterations or a change of occupancy, while not meeting new construction requirements, will provide a level of safety to demonstrate compliance. Provisions are based on a numerical scoring system involving 21 safety parameters where, when evaluated, such buildings must meet a minimum overall safety score.

• CBC § 2.1 Medium relevance — show source text

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  Chapter 3 Occupancy Classification and Use.

  Chapter 3 provides for the classification of buildings, structures and parts thereof based on the purpose for which they are used. Section 302 identifies the groups into which all buildings, structures and parts thereof must be classified. Sections 303 through 312 identify the occupancy characteristics of each group classification. In some sections, specific group classifications having requirements in common are collectively organized such that one term applies to all. For example, Groups A-1, A-2, A-3, A-4 and A-5 are individual groups for assembly-type buildings. The general term “Group A,” however, includes each of these individual groups. Other groups include Business (B), Organized Camps (C), Educational (E), Factory (F-1, F-2), High Hazard (H-1, H-2, H-3, H-4, H-5), Institutional (I-2, I-3, I-4), Laboratories (L), Mercantile (M), Residential (R-1, R-2, R-2.1, R-2.2, R-3, R-3.1, R-4), Storage (S-1, S-2) and Utility (U). In some occupancies, the smaller number means a higher hazard, but that is not always the case.

  Defining the use of the buildings is very important as it sets the tone for the remaining chapters of the code. Occupancy works with the height, area and construction type requirements in Chapters 5 and 6, to determine "equivalent risk." The determination of equivalent risk involves three interdependent considerations: (1) the level of fire hazard associated with the specific occupancy of the facility; (2) the reduction of fire hazard based on the fuel load by limiting the floor area and the height of the building; and (3) the level of overall fire resistance provided by the type of construction. The greater the potential fire hazards indicated as a function of the group, the lesser the height and area allowances for a particular construction type.

  Occupancy classification also plays a key part in the appropriate protection measures. As such, threshold requirements for fire protection and means of egress systems are based on occupancy classification (see Chapters 9 and 10). Other sections of the code also contain requirements respective to the classification of building groups. For example, Section 706 specifies requirements for fire wall fire-resistance ratings that are tied to the occupancy classification of a building and Section 803.11 contains interior finish requirements that are dependent upon the occupancy classification. The use of the space, rather than the occupancy of the building, is utilized for determining occupant loading (Section 1004) and live loading (Section 1607).

  Chapter 4 Special Detailed Requirements Based on Occupancy and Use.

  Chapter 4 contains the requirements for protecting special uses and occupancies which are supplemental to the remainder of the code. For example, the height and area limitations established in Chapter 5 apply to all special occupancies unless Chapter 4 contains height and area limitations. In this case, the limitations in Chapter 4 supersede those in other sections. An example of this is the height and area limitations for open parking garages given in Section 406.5.4, which supersede the limitations given in Sections 504 and 506.

• CBC § 1001.1 Medium relevance — show source text

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  10 CHANGE OF OCCUPANCY

  User notes:

  About this chapter : The purpose of this chapter is to provide regulations for the circumstances where an existing building is subject to a change of occupancy or a change of occupancy classification. A change of occupancy is not to be confused with a change of occupancy classification. The California Building Code defines different occupancy classifications in Chapter 3 and special occupancy requirements in Chapter 4. Within specific occupancy classifications there can be many different types of actual activities that can take place. For instance, a Group A-3 occupancy classification deals with a wide variation of different types of activities, including bowling alleys and courtrooms, indoor tennis courts and dance halls. When a facility changes use from, for example, a bowling alley to a dance hall, the occupancy classification remains A-3, but the different uses could lead to drastically different code requirements. Therefore, this chapter deals with the special circumstances that are associated with a change in the use of a building within the same occupancy classification as well as a change of occupancy classification.

  SECTION 1001—GENERAL

  1001.1 Scope. The provisions of this chapter shalle a change of occupancy occurs, as defined in Section 202.

  1001.2 Certificate of occupancy. A change of occupancy or a change of occupancy within a space where there is a different fire protection system threshold requirement in Chapter 9 of th apply where current California Building Code than exists in the current building or space shall not be made to any structure without the approval of the code official. A certificate of occupancy shall be issued where it has been determined that the requirements for the change of occupancy have been met.

  1001.2.1 Change of use. Any work undertaken in connection with a change in use shall conform to the applicable requirements for the work as classified in Chapter 6 and to the requirements of Sections 1002 through 1010.

  1001.2.2 Change of occupancy classification. Where a building undergoes a change of occupancy classification, the provisions of Sections 1002 through 1011 shall apply.

  1001.2.2.1 Partial change of occupancy. Where a portion of an existing building undergoes a change of occupancy classification, Section 1011 shall apply.

  1001.3 Certificate of occupancy required. A certificate of occupancy shall be issued where a change of occupancy occurs that results in a different occupancy classification as determined by the California Building Code .

  SECTION 1002—SPECIAL USE AND OCCUPANCY

  1002.1 Compliance with the building code. Where an existing building or part of an existing building undergoes a change of occupancy to one of the special use or occupancy categories as described in Chapter 4 in the California Building Code, the building shall comply with all of the requirements of Chapter 4 of the California Building Code applicable to the special use or occupancy.

  1002.2 Incidental uses. Where a portion of a building undergoes a change of occupancy to one of the incidental uses listed in Table 509.1 of the California Building Code, the incidental use shall comply with Section 509 of the California Building Code applicable to the incidental use.

  SECTION 1003—BUILDING ELEMENTS AND MATERIALS

  1003.1 General. Building elements and materials in portions of buildings undergoing a change of occupancy classification shall comply with Section 1011.

  SECTION 1004—FIRE PROTECTION

• CBC § 504.1.1 Medium relevance — show source text

  504.1.1 Unlimited area buildings. The height of unlimited area buildings shall be designed in accordance with Section 507.

  504.1.2 Special provisions. The special provisions of Section 510 permit the use of special conditions that are exempt from, or modify, the specific requirements of this chapter regarding the allowable heights of buildings based on the occupancy classification and type of construction, provided the special condition complies with the provisions specified in Section 510.

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  GENERAL BUILDING HEIGHTS AND AREAS

  504.2 Mixed occupancy. In a building containing mixed occupancies in accordance with Section 508, no individual occupancy shall exceed the height and number of story limits specified in this section for the applicable occupancies.

  504.3 Height in feet. The maximum height, in feet, of a building shall not exceed the limits specified in Table 504.3.

  Exception: Towers, spires, steeples and other rooftop structures shall be constructed of materials consistent with the required type of construction of the building except where other construction is permitted by Section 1511.2.4. Such structures shall not be used for habitation or storage. The structures shall be unlimited in height where of noncombustible materials and shall not extend more than 20 feet (6096 mm) above the allowable building height where of combustible materials (see Chapter 15 for additional requirements).

  TABLE 504.3—ALLOWABLE BUILDING HEIGHT IN FEET ABOVE GRADE PLANEa, i	Col2	Col3	Col4	Col5	Col6	Col7	Col8	Col9	Col10	Col11	Col12	Col13	Col14
  OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION	TYPE OF CONSTRUCTION	TYPE OF CONSTRUCTION	TYPE OF CONSTRUCTION	TYPE OF CONSTRUCTION	TYPE OF CONSTRUCTION	TYPE OF CONSTRUCTION	TYPE OF CONSTRUCTION	TYPE OF CONSTRUCTION	TYPE OF CONSTRUCTION	TYPE OF CONSTRUCTION	TYPE OF CONSTRUCTION	TYPE OF CONSTRUCTION	TYPE OF CONSTRUCTION
  OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION	See Footnotes	Type I	Type I	Type II	Type II	Type III	Type III	Type IV	Type IV	Type IV	Type IV	Type V	Type V
  OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION	See Footnotes	A	B	A	B	A	B	A	B	C	HT	A	B
  B, F, M, S, U	NSb	UL	160	65	55	65	55	65	65	65	65	50	40
  B, F, M, S, U	S	UL	180	85	75	85	75	270	180	85	85	70	60
  _A,

• CBC § 1001.2.1 Medium relevance — show source text

  1001.2.1 Change of use. Any work undertaken in connection with a change in use shall conform to the applicable requirements for the work as classified in Chapter 6 and to the requirements of Sections 1002 through 1010.

  1001.2.2 Change of occupancy classification. Where a building undergoes a change of occupancy classification, the provisions of Sections 1002 through 1011 shall apply.

  1001.2.2.1 Partial change of occupancy. Where a portion of an existing building undergoes a change of occupancy classification, Section 1011 shall apply.

  1001.3 Certificate of occupancy required. A certificate of occupancy shall be issued where a change of occupancy occurs that results in a different occupancy classification as determined by the California Building Code .

  SECTION 1002—SPECIAL USE AND OCCUPANCY

  1002.1 Compliance with the building code. Where an existing building or part of an existing building undergoes a change of occupancy to one of the special use or occupancy categories as described in Chapter 4 in the California Building Code, the building shall comply with all of the requirements of Chapter 4 of the California Building Code applicable to the special use or occupancy.

  1002.2 Incidental uses. Where a portion of a building undergoes a change of occupancy to one of the incidental uses listed in Table 509.1 of the California Building Code, the incidental use shall comply with Section 509 of the California Building Code applicable to the incidental use.

  SECTION 1003—BUILDING ELEMENTS AND MATERIALS

  1003.1 General. Building elements and materials in portions of buildings undergoing a change of occupancy classification shall comply with Section 1011.

  SECTION 1004—FIRE PROTECTION

  1004.1 General. Fire protection requirements in Section 1011 shall apply where either of the following occur:

  1. A building or portion thereof undergoes a change of occupancy.
  2. A building or portion thereof undergoes a change of occupancy and there is a different fire protection system threshold requirement in Chapter 9 of the current California Building Code than exists in the current building or portion thereof.

  SECTION 1005—MEANS OF EGRESS

  1005.1 General. Means of egress in portions of buildings undergoing a change of occupancy classification shall comply with Section 1011.

  SECTION 1006—STRUCTURAL

  [BS] 1006.1 Live loads. Structural elements carrying tributary live loads from an area with a change of occupancy shall satisfy the requirements of Section 1607 of the California Building Code . Design live loads for areas of new occupancy shall be based on Section 1607 of the California Building Code . Design live loads for other areas shall be permitted to use previously approved design live loads.

  Exception: Structural elements whose demand-capacity ratio considering the change of occupancy is not more than 5 percent greater than the demand-capacity ratio based on previously approved live loads.

  2025 CALIFORNIA EXISTING BUILDING CODE 10-3

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

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  CHANGE OF OCCUPANCY

  [BS] 1006.2 Snow and wind loads. Where a change of occupancy results in a structure being assigned to a higher risk category, the structure shall satisfy the requirements of Sections 1608 and 1609 of the California Building Code for the new risk category.