CBC · California Building Code
Assembly, Residential & Institutional occupancies
This hub orients users to where the CBC defines and treats Assembly, Residential and Institutional occupancies and why those classifications matter for code compliance.
Last reviewed: July 5, 2026
Overview
This hub covers how the California Building Code classifies and regulates Assembly (Group A), Residential (Group R) and Institutional (Group I) occupancies — the rules that determine occupant loads, means of egress, fire-protection requirements, and how buildings are treated for height, area and construction type. The general occupancy framework is set out in Section 302 (§302) of Chapter 3, which explains occupancy classification and how mixed or multiple occupancies are handled .
Assembly occupancies are defined in §303 (Groups A‑1 through A‑5) and include places for gatherings, food/drink consumption, entertainment and certain production studios; small assembly spaces and accessory assembly rules are also in §303 . Residential occupancies are defined in §310 (Groups R‑1 through R‑4 and related subgroups) and cover sleeping uses from transient hotels to apartment and residential care settings . Institutional occupancies are in §308 (Groups I‑2, I‑3 and I‑4) and address facilities where occupants may need care, supervision or are restrained, with more restrictive provisions where required .
Chapter 4 contains the special, occupancy‑specific requirements that supplement the general chapters (for example, Group I‑2 and I‑3 provisions and other special detailed rules), and occupancy classification feeds directly into Chapters 5–11 for height/area, fire protection, means of egress and accessibility .
In this section
Code references
Grounded in the retrieved California Building Code — click a citation to read the verbatim passage:
CBC § 2.1 High relevance — show source text
- 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.
302.2 Use designation. Occupancy groups contain subordinate uses having similar hazards and risks to building occupants. Uses include, but are not limited to, those functional designations specified within the occupancy group descriptions in Section 302.1. Certain uses require specific limitations and controls in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 4 and elsewhere in this code.
SECTION 303—ASSEMBLY GROUP A
303.1 Assembly Group A. Assembly Group A occupancy includes, among others, the use of a building or structure, or a portion thereof, for the gathering of persons for purposes such as civic, social or religious functions; recreation, food or drink consumption or awaiting transportation ; motion picture and television production studio sound stages, approved production facilities and production locations; or for the showing of motion pictures when an admission fee is charged and when such building or structure is open to the public and has a capacity of 10 or more persons.
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OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION AND USE
303.1.1 Small buildings and tenant spaces. A building or tenant space used for assembly purposes with an occupant load of less than 50 persons shall be classified as a Group B occupancy.
CBC § 302.1.1 High relevance — show source text
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.
302.2 Use designation. Occupancy groups contain subordinate uses having similar hazards and risks to building occupants. Uses include, but are not limited to, those functional designations specified within the occupancy group descriptions in Section 302.1. Certain uses require specific limitations and controls in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 4 and elsewhere in this code.
SECTION 303—ASSEMBLY GROUP A
303.1 Assembly Group A. Assembly Group A occupancy includes, among others, the use of a building or structure, or a portion thereof, for the gathering of persons for purposes such as civic, social or religious functions; recreation, food or drink consumption or awaiting transportation ; motion picture and television production studio sound stages, approved production facilities and production locations; or for the showing of motion pictures when an admission fee is charged and when such building or structure is open to the public and has a capacity of 10 or more persons.
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OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION AND USE
303.1.1 Small buildings and tenant spaces. A building or tenant space used for assembly purposes with an occupant load of less than 50 persons shall be classified as a Group B occupancy.
303.1.2 Small assembly spaces. The following rooms and spaces shall not be classified as Assembly occupancies:
- A room or space used for assembly purposes with an occupant load of less than 50 persons and accessory to another occupancy shall be classified as a Group B occupancy or as part of that occupancy.
- A room or space used for assembly purposes that is less than 750 square feet (70 m [2] ) in area and accessory to another occupancy shall be classified as a Group B occupancy or as part of that occupancy.
303.1.3 Associated with Group E occupancies. A room or space used for assembly purposes that is associated with a Group E occupancy is not considered a separate occupancy.
303.1.4 Accessory to places of religious worship. Accessory religious educational rooms and religious auditoriums with occupant loads of less than 100 per room or space are not considered separate occupancies.
303.1.5 Special amusement areas. Special amusement areas shall comply with Section 411.
303.2 Assembly Group A-1. Group A-1 occupancy includes assembly uses, usually with fixed seating, intended for the production and viewing of the performing arts or motion pictures, including but not limited to:
Motion picture and television production studio sound stages, approved production facilities and production locations. (with live audiences).
Motion picture theaters
Symphony and concert halls
Television and radio studios admitting an audience
Theaters
303.3 Assembly Group A-2. Group A-2 occupancy includes assembly uses intended for food and/or drink consumption, including but not limited to:
Banquet halls
Casinos (gaming areas)
Nightclubs
Restaurants, cafeterias and similar dining facilities (including associated commercial kitchens)
Taverns and bars
CBC § 1-33 High relevance — show source text
112 Service Utilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-33
113 Means of Appeals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-33
114 Violations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-34
115 Stop Work Order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-34
CHAPTER 2 DEFINITIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-1
201 General. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11
202 Definitions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11
CHAPTER 3 OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION AND USE . . . . .3-1
301 Scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
302 Occupancy Classification and Use Designation . . . . 3-3
303 Assembly Group A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
304 Business Group B. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5
305 Educational Group E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5
306 Factory Group F . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6
307 High-Hazard Group H . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7
308 Institutional Group I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-13
309 Mercantile Group M. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-14
310 Residential Group R. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-15
311 Storage Group S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-17
312 Utility and Miscellaneous Group U . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-18
313 Laboratories Group L [SFM]. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-19
CBC § 309.3 High relevance — show source text
309.3 Motor fuel-dispensing facilities. Motor fuel-dispensing facilities shall comply with Section 406.7.
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SECTION 310—RESIDENTIAL GROUP R
310.1 Residential Group R. Residential Group R includes, among others, the use of a building or structure, or a portion thereof, for sleeping purposes when not classified as an Institutional Group I or when not regulated by the California Residential Code . Group R occupancies not constructed in accordance with the California Residential Code as permitted by Sections 310.4.1 and 310.4.2 shall comply with Section 420.
310.2 Residential Group R-1. Residential Group R-1 occupancies containing sleeping units or more than two dwelling units where the occupants are primarily transient in nature, including:
Boarding houses (transient) with more than 10 occupants
Congregate residences (transient) with more than 10 occupants
Hotels (transient)
Motels (transient)
[HCD 1] Efficiency dwelling units (transient)
310.3 Residential Group R-2. Residential Group R-2 occupancies containing sleeping units or more than two dwelling units where the occupants are primarily permanent in nature, including:
Apartment houses
Large family child care
Small family child care
Congregate living facilities (nontransient) with more than 16 occupants
Boarding houses (nontransient)
Convents
Dormitories
Emergency services living quarters
Fraternities and sororities
Monasteries
Hotels (nontransient)
Live/work units
Motels (nontransient)
Vacation timeshare properties
[HCD 1] Efficiency dwelling units (transient)
310.3.1 Residential Group R-2.1. Residential Group R-2.1 occupancies shall include buildings, structures or parts thereof housing clients, on a 24-hour basis, who because of age, mental disability or other reasons, live in a supervised residential environment that provides personal care services.
This occupancy may contain more than six nonambulatory and/or bedridden clients. (See Section 435 Special Provisions for Licensed 24-Hour Care Facilities in a Group R-2.1, R-3.1 or R-4 Occupancy). This group shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
Assisted living facilities such as: Residential care facilities, Residential care facilities for the elderly (RCFEs), Adult residential facilities, Congregate living health facilities, Group homes, Residential care facilities for the chronically ill, Congregate living health facilities for the terminally ill.
Social rehabilitation facilities such as: Halfway houses, Community correctional centers, Community treatment programs, Work furlough programs, Alcoholism or drug abuse recovery or treatment facilities.
310.3.2 Residential Group R-2.2 (CDCR Only). Residential occupancies operated by CDCR in a community located facility that provides housing and community-based program services for nontransient ambulatory participants in a nonlicensed facility with 24/7 supervision.
CBC § 307.8 High relevance — show source text
[F] 307.8 Multiple hazards. Buildings and structures containing a material or materials representing hazards that are classified in one or more of Groups H-1, H-2, H-3 and H-4 shall conform to the code requirements for each of the occupancies so classified.
SECTION 308—INSTITUTIONAL GROUP I
308.1 Institutional Group I. Institutional Group I occupancy includes, among others, the use of a building or structure, or a portion thereof, in which care or supervision is provided to persons who are or are incapable of self-preservation without physical assistance or in which persons are detained for penal or correctional purposes or in which the liberty of the occupants is restricted. Institutional occupancies shall be classified as Group I-2, I-3 or I-4. Restraint shall not be permitted in any building except in Group I-2 occupancies constructed for such use in accordance with Section 407.1.1 and Group I-3 occupancies constructed for such use in accordance with Section 408.1.2.
Where occupancies house both ambulatory and nonambulatory persons, the more restrictive requirements shall apply.
308.2 Institutional Group I-1. Not used. (See Group R-2.1 Section 310.1.)
308.3 Institutional Group I-2. Institutional Group I-2 occupancy shall include buildings and structures used for medical care on a 24hour basis for more than five persons who are incapable of self-preservation or classified as nonambulatory or bedridden. This group shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
Foster care facilities
Detoxification facilities
Hospitals
Nursing homes
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.
CBC § 407.8 High relevance — show source text
Institutional I-2 407.8
Smoke-activated doors 716.2.6.6
Special amusement areas 411.3.3 Underground buildings 907.2.19 Smoke Development 803.1.2, Table 803.13
Smoke Exhaust Systems Underground buildings 405.5, 907.2.19, 909.2 Smoke Partitions 710
Continuity 710.4 Doors 710.5
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INDEX
Institutional 407.7, 408.11, 420.5, 903.2.6, 903.3.2 Laundry chutes, refuse chutes, termination rooms and incinerator
rooms 713.13, 903.2.11.2 Live/work units 508.5.7, 903.2.8 Mercantile 903.2.7
Mezzanines 505.2.1, 505.2.3, 505.3.2 Multistory buildings 903.2.11.3 Occupied roofs 503.1.4 Parking garages 406.6.3, 903.2.9.1, 903.2.10.1 Play structures 424.3 Residential 420.4, 903.2.8, 903.3.2 Solar photovoltaic power systems 903.3.1.1.4 Special amusement areas 411.2 Spray finishing booth 416.5 Stages 410.6 Storage 903.2.9, 903.2.10 Supervision (see Sprinkler System, Supervision) 903.4.1 Underground buildings 405.3, 903.2.11.1
Unlimited area 507 Sprinkler System, Supervision 903.4.1 Service 901.6 Underground buildings 405.3 Stages and Platforms 303, 410 Dressing rooms 410.4 Fire barrier wall 410.4.1, 410.4.2 Floor finish and floor covering 410.2, 410.3, 804.4, 805.1 Horizontal assembly 410.4.1, 410.4.2 Means of egress 410.5 Platform, temporary 410.3.1 Platform construction 410.3, 603.1 Proscenium curtain 410.2.5
Proscenium wall 410.2.4
Roof vents 410.2.7.1
Scenery 410.2.6 Smoke control 410.2.7.2 Sprinkler protection 410.6 Standpipes 905.3.4 Technical production areas 410.2.2, 410.5.3
Ventilation 410.2.7 Stairway (see Alternating Tread Devices, Spiral Stairways, Stairway Construction and Stairway Enclosure) Stairway Construction Alternating tread 1011.14 Circular (see Curved) Construction 1011.7
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.
- Assembly (see Section 303): Groups A-1, A-2, A-3, A-4 and A-5.
- 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 § 1.4 High relevance — show source text
Consumer fireworks, 1.4G (Class C, Common)
Cryogenic fluids, oxidizing
Category 1B flammable gases having a burning velocity of 3.9 inches per second (10 cm/s) or less.
Flammable solids
Organic peroxides, Class II and III
Oxidizers, Class 2
Oxidizers, Class 3, that are used or stored in normally closed containers or systems pressurized at 15 pounds per square inch gauge (103 kPa) or less
Oxidizing gases
Unstable (reactive) materials, Class 2
Water-reactive materials, Class 2
[F] 307.6 High-hazard Group H-4. Buildings and structures containing materials that are health hazards shall be classified as Group H-4. Such materials shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
Corrosives
Highly toxic materials
Toxic materials
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OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION AND USE
[F] 307.7 High-hazard Group H-5. Semiconductor fabrication facilities and comparable research and development areas in which hazardous production materials (HPM) are used and the aggregate quantity of materials is in excess of those specified in Tables 307.1(1) and 307.1(2) shall be classified as Group H-5. Such facilities and areas shall be designed and constructed in accordance with Section 415.11.
[F] 307.8 Multiple hazards. Buildings and structures containing a material or materials representing hazards that are classified in one or more of Groups H-1, H-2, H-3 and H-4 shall conform to the code requirements for each of the occupancies so classified.
SECTION 308—INSTITUTIONAL GROUP I
308.1 Institutional Group I. Institutional Group I occupancy includes, among others, the use of a building or structure, or a portion thereof, in which care or supervision is provided to persons who are or are incapable of self-preservation without physical assistance or in which persons are detained for penal or correctional purposes or in which the liberty of the occupants is restricted. Institutional occupancies shall be classified as Group I-2, I-3 or I-4. Restraint shall not be permitted in any building except in Group I-2 occupancies constructed for such use in accordance with Section 407.1.1 and Group I-3 occupancies constructed for such use in accordance with Section 408.1.2.
Where occupancies house both ambulatory and nonambulatory persons, the more restrictive requirements shall apply.
308.2 Institutional Group I-1. Not used. (See Group R-2.1 Section 310.1.)
308.3 Institutional Group I-2. Institutional Group I-2 occupancy shall include buildings and structures used for medical care on a 24hour basis for more than five persons who are incapable of self-preservation or classified as nonambulatory or bedridden. This group shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
Foster care facilities
Detoxification facilities
Hospitals
Nursing homes
Psychiatric hospitals
CBC § 310.2 Medium 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.
- Assembly (see Section 303): Groups A-1, A-2, A-3, A-4 and A-5.
- Business (see Section 304): Group B.
CBC § 203.1.1 Medium relevance — show source text
- Business: Group B.
- Educational: Group E.
- Factory and Industrial: Groups F-1 and F-2.
- High Hazard: Groups H-1, H-2, H-3, H-4 and H-5.
- Institutional: Groups I-1, I-2, I-3 and I-4.
- Mercantile: Group M.
- Residential: Groups R-1, R-2, R-3 and R-4.
- Storage: Groups S-1 and S-2.
- Utility and Miscellaneous: Group U.
[BG] 203.1.1 Use designation. Occupancy groups contain subordinate uses having similar hazards and risks to building occupants. Uses include, but are not limited to, those functional designations specified within the occupancy group descriptions in Section 203.1. Certain uses require specific limitations and controls in accordance with the provisions of this code and Chapter 4 of the California Building Code .
[BG] 203.2 Assembly Group A. Assembly Group A occupancy includes, among others, the use of a building or structure, or a portion thereof, for the gathering of persons for purposes such as civic, social or religious functions; recreation, food or drink consumption or awaiting transportation or Motion Picture and Television Production Studio Sound Stages, Approved Production Facilities and produc- tion locations. Any building or structure or portion thereof used or intended to be used for the showing of motion pictures when an admission fee is charged and when such building or structure is open to the public and has a capacity of 10 or more persons.
[BG] 203.2.1 Small buildings and tenant spaces. A building or tenant space used for assembly purposes with an occupant load of less than 50 persons shall be classified as a Group B occupancy.
[BG] 203.2.2 Small assembly spaces. The following rooms and spaces shall not be classified as Assembly occupancies:
- A room or space used for assembly purposes with an occupant load of less than 50 persons and accessory to another occupancy shall be classified as a Group B occupancy or as part of that occupancy.
- A room or space used for assembly purposes that is less than 750 square feet (70 m [2] ) in area and accessory to another occupancy shall be classified as a Group B occupancy or as part of that occupancy.
[BG] 203.2.3 Associated with Group E occupancies. A room or space used for assembly purposes that is associated with a Group E occupancy is not considered a separate occupancy.
[BG] 203.2.4 Accessory to places of religious worship. Accessory religious educational rooms and religious auditoriums with occupant loads of less than 100 per room or space are not considered separate occupancies.
[BG] 203.2.5 Special amusement areas. Special amusement areas shall comply with Section 411 of the California Building Code
[BG] 203.2.6 Assembly Group A-1. Group A-1 occupancy includes assembly uses, usually with fixed seating, intended for the production and viewing of the performing arts or motion pictures, including but not limited to:
Motion picture and television production studio Sound Stages, Approved Production Facilities and production locations. (With live audiences.)
Motion picture theaters
Symphony and concert halls
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DEFINITIONS
Television and radio studios admitting an audience
Theaters
CBC § 302.1 Medium relevance — show source text
J101.3 Construction type (top wing). The construction types shall be designated by assigning the appropriate Roman numeral, and letter, placed inside the top wing of the Maltese cross. The hourly rating provided is for the structural framing in accordance with Table 601 of the California Building Code .
CONSTRUCTION TYPE FIRE-RESISTANCE RATING
IA—Noncombustible 3 hours
IB—Noncombustible 2 hours
IIA—Noncombustible 1 hour
IIB—Noncombustible 0 hours
IIIA—Noncombustible/combustible 1 hour
IIIB—Noncombustible/combustible 0 hours
IV—Heavy timber (HT) HT
VA—Combustible 1 hour
VB—Combustible 0 hours
J101.4 Fire protection systems (right wing). The fire protection system shall be designated by determining its level of protection and assigning the appropriate designation to the right wing of the Maltese cross. Where multiple systems are provided, all shall be listed:
AS Automatic sprinkler system installed throughout
CES Chemical extinguishing system and designated area
CS Combination sprinkler and standpipe system
DS Dry sprinkler system and designated areas
FA Fire alarm system
FP Fire pump
FW Fire wall and designated areas
PAS Pre-action sprinkler system and designated floor
APPENDIX J-4 2025 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE
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APPENDIX J—BUILDING INFORMATION SIGN
PS Partial automatic sprinkler system, and designated floor
S Standpipe system
NS No system installed
J101.5 Occupancy type (bottom wing). The occupancy of a building or structure shall be designated in accordance with the occupancy classification found in Section 302.1 of the California Building Code and the corresponding designation shall be placed in the bottom wing of the Maltese cross. Where a building or structure contains a mixture of uses and occupancies, all uses and occupancies shall be identified.
A Assembly
B Business
E Educational
F Factory or Industrial
H High Hazard
I Institutional
M Mercantile
R Residential
J101.6 Hazards of content (left wing). The hazards of building contents shall be designated by one of the following classifications as defined in NFPA 13 and the appropriate designation shall be placed inside the left wing of the Maltese cross:
LH Light hazard
MH Moderate hazard
HH High hazard
J101.7 Tactical considerations (center circle). The center circle shall include the name of the local fire service and, where required, the letters “TC” for “tactical considerations.” Where firefighters conduct preplan operations, a unique situation(s) for tactical considerations shall be identified and the information provided to the fire dispatch communications center to further assist firefighters in identifying that there is special consideration(s) for this occupancy. Special consideration designations include, but are not limited
to:
CBC § 3-5 Medium relevance — show source text
304 Business Group B. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5
305 Educational Group E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5
306 Factory Group F . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6
307 High-Hazard Group H . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7
308 Institutional Group I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-13
309 Mercantile Group M. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-14
310 Residential Group R. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-15
311 Storage Group S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-17
312 Utility and Miscellaneous Group U . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-18
313 Laboratories Group L [SFM]. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-19
314 Organized Camps Group C [SFM]. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-19
CHAPTER 4 SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS
BASED ON OCCUPANCY AND USE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-1
401 Scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5
402 Covered Mall and Open Mall Buildings . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5
403 High-Rise Buildings and Group I-2 Occupancies Having Occupied Floors Located More Than 75 Feet above the Lowest Level of
Fire Department Vehicle Access . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-9
404 Atriums. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-12
405 Underground Buildings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-13
406 Motor-Vehicle-Related Occupancies. . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-15
407 Group I-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-19
408 Group I-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-24
Frequently asked questions
How do I know which section applies to my project?
Start with §302 for occupancy classification; then consult the specific group section — §303 for Assembly, §310 for Residential, §308 for Institutional — and any related Chapter 4 provisions that apply to special conditions .
Why does occupancy classification matter for design and approval?
Occupancy determines required means of egress, fire‑protection systems, allowable building area/height and interior finishes; these thresholds are referenced throughout the code (Chapters 5, 9, 10, 8, etc.), so correct classification drives virtually all other design decisions .
Where are the special rules for institutional care (I‑2) and detention (I‑3)?
Special detailed requirements for Group I occupancies appear in Chapter 4 (see the sections addressing Group I‑2 and I‑3, e.g., §§407 and 408), which supplement the general Group I definitions in §308 .
More in California Building Code
- Administration & Permits
- Energy Efficiency
- Existing Buildings
- Occupancy Classification & Use
- Hazardous Materials & Occupancies
- Types of Construction
- Fire-Resistance & Fire Safety
- Interior Finishes
- Means of Egress
- Accessibility
- Exterior Walls
- Roofing & Roof Assemblies
- Structural Design
- Special Inspections & Tests
- Foundations & Soils
- Concrete
- Masonry
- Steel
- Wood
- Elevators & Conveying Systems
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