CBC · California Building Code

Educational Group E — schools and child‑care classification rules

Q: Who decides whether a child‑care use is Group E or I‑4?

The enforcing jurisdiction (building official / AHJ) determines classification based on code facts (ages served, occupant counts, egress configuration). Use the thresholds in § 305.2 and § 308.5.1 to document the basis for the classification .

Q: If I have exactly six children, is my facility Group E?

No — the CBC language uses “more than six.” Facilities with six or fewer children fall under the small‑facility provisions and may be classified as part of the primary occupancy or as R‑3 in a dwelling (see § 305.2.2 and § 305.2.3) .

Q: Can infant/toddler rooms be Group E?

Yes — but only when § 308.5.1’s conditions are met: more than six but not more than 100 children under 36 months and each child care room located on a level of exit discharge with an exit door directly to the exterior; otherwise the rooms are I‑4 .

Q: Does religious‑education day‑care always count as Group E?

Not always. Rooms used for child care during religious functions are part of the primary occupancy when not licensed for child care (§ 305.2.1). Also, small religious educational rooms with occupant loads under 100 may be Group A‑3 rather than E (§ 305.1.1) .

Q: If occupants can’t evacuate without staff help, what then?

If occupants are not capable of responding to an emergency without physical assistance, the facility is classified as Group I‑4 instead of Group E (exception in § 305.2) .

In plain terms: the CBC puts most schools and day‑care for children 36 months and older into Group E when there are more than six persons. For infants/toddlers under 36 months, a child‑care room can be Group E only if it serves >6 and ≤100 children and each room is on an exit level with a door directly to the outside; otherwise the use is I‑4. Classification decisions must track §§ 305.1, 305.2 and § 308.5.1 and be confirmed with the local building official.

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Last reviewed: July 5, 2026

What the code requires

Group E covers buildings or portions of buildings used for education through 12th grade and any space occupied by more than six persons for those purposes (see § 305.1). Child‑care uses (day‑care) serving more than six children 36 months of age and older for fewer than 24 hours are included in Group E (see § 305.2). When child day‑care serves children under 36 months, the CBC provides a limited path to remain Group E if specific egress/location conditions are met (§ 308.5.1). § 305.1 ; § 305.2 ; § 308.5.1 .

Requirements in detail

Core definitions and numeric thresholds

Group E (educational) — any building or portion used by more than six persons for educational purposes through the 12th grade (§ 305.1) .
Group E (child‑care) — child‑care/day‑care occupying more than six children 36 months of age and older, provided services are for fewer than 24 hours (§ 305.2) .
Small home‑based programs and very small facilities — five or fewer children are typically classified as part of the primary occupancy (or as a dwelling R‑3 when in a home) (§ 305.2.2, § 305.2.3) .
Religious‑education rooms that are accessory to a place of worship and have occupant loads under 100 are classified as Assembly A‑3, not E (§ 305.1.1) .
Child day care under 36 months may be classified as Group E only when it serves more than six but not more than 100 children under 36 months AND each child care room is located on a level of exit discharge serving those rooms with an exit door directly to the exterior (§ 308.5.1) .

Decision table — key dimensions and code references

Decision dimension	Relevant values / threshold	Code reference
Educational use (general)	More than 6 persons for education through 12th grade	§ 305.1
Child‑care age that defaults to Group E	Children 36 months and older	§ 305.2
Child‑care small‑facility exception	Five or fewer children → primary occupancy or dwelling R‑3	§ 305.2.2, § 305.2.3
Child day‑care under 36 months classified as Group E	>6 and ≤100 children; rooms on level of exit discharge; each room with an exit door directly to exterior	§ 308.5.1
Child‑care where occupants cannot respond in emergency	Classified as Group I‑4 (not Group E)	Exception to § 305.2
Religious education accessory to worship	Occupant load <100 per room → Group A‑3 (not Group E)	§ 305.1.1

How the age and count rules interact

If a day‑care has more than six children who are 36 months or older, it is Group E (§ 305.2) .
If the program serves children under 36 months, the provider must check § 308.5.1: only when the under‑36‑month rooms meet the exit‑to‑exterior and level‑of‑exit‑discharge criteria can the space be E; otherwise the use defaults to Institutional I‑4 (§ 308.5.1) .
Very small operations (five or fewer children) are treated as accessory to the primary occupancy or as a dwelling (R‑3) when in a residence (§ 305.2.2, § 305.2.3) .

Exceptions & special cases

Home schools in a residence: a residence used as a home school for children who live there remains Group R‑2 or R‑3 (not Group E) (Exception to § 305.1) .
Occupants not capable of responding to emergency: a child‑care facility (not otherwise R‑3) where occupants cannot respond without physical assistance must be classified Group I‑4 rather than Group E (Exception in § 305.2) .
Religious‑function day‑care in places of worship: rooms used for child care during religious functions are part of the primary occupancy (if not licensed for child‑care) (§ 305.2.1) .
Dwelling‑unit daycare: five or fewer children in a dwelling unit are handled as Group R‑3 or by the California Residential Code (§ 305.2.3) .
Limited Group E classification for infants/toddlers: child day‑care for children under 36 months can still be Group E only when the conditions in § 308.5.1 are met (rooms on level of exit discharge, each room with an exit door directly to exterior) — otherwise it is I‑4 (§ 308.5.1) .

Common mistakes

Counting “six” vs “more than six”: the threshold in §§ 305.1 and 305.2 is “more than six” — programs with six or fewer children may be treated differently (§ 305.1, § 305.2) .
Applying the 36‑month rule incorrectly: children 36 months and older fit Group E by default; under‑36‑month care requires checking § 308.5.1 before assuming Group E (§ 305.2; § 308.5.1) .
Overlooking egress requirements for under‑36‑month rooms: many assume exterior doors are unnecessary — but § 308.5.1 explicitly requires each child care room to have an exit door directly to the exterior and be on a level of exit discharge to qualify as Group E (§ 308.5.1) .
Assuming any religious education is Group E: accessory religious education with occupant loads <100 is Group A‑3, not E (§ 305.1.1) .
Forgetting the I‑4 safety gate: if occupants cannot evacuate without assistance, the correct classification is I‑4 with its different requirements, not E (Exception to § 305.2) .

Worked example

Scenario: A private childcare center has 18 children, all aged 30 months (under 36 months). The child‑care rooms are all on the building’s ground floor (a level of exit discharge) and each classroom has a door that opens directly to the exterior.

Analysis:

Children are under 36 months, so the straightforward "Group E for ≥36 months" rule in § 305.2 does not apply directly (§ 305.2) .
Check § 308.5.1: it allows a child day‑care that provides care for more than six but not more than 100 children under 36 months to be classified as Group E when the rooms are located on a level of exit discharge serving those rooms and each child‑care room has an exit door directly to the exterior (§ 308.5.1) .
Because the center: (a) serves 18 children (which is >6 and ≤100) and (b) meets the location/egress conditions (ground floor level of exit discharge and each room with direct exterior exit), it may be classified Group E under § 308.5.1 rather than Group I‑4, provided no other disqualifying factors (e.g., occupants incapable of independent response) exist (§ 308.5.1; Exception to § 305.2) .

Related provisions

§ 305.1.1 — Accessory religious education (Group A‑3 when occupant load <100) .
§ 305.2.1 — Child care within places of religious worship (classification rules) .
§ 305.2.2 — Five or fewer children treated as part of primary occupancy .
§ 305.2.3 — Five or fewer children in a dwelling unit are Group R‑3 or must follow the Residential Code .
§ 308.5 — Institutional Group I‑4 (day care) general classification — contrast with Group E rules .
§ 308.5.1 — Conditions that allow under‑36‑month child day‑care to be classified as Group E (egress/exterior door requirements) .
§ 452.1 (and subsections) — School facility special provisions for K–12 and Group E child care (location on property, means of egress, etc.) .

Code references

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

CBC § 304.2 High relevance — show source text
Airport traffic control towers

Ambulatory care facilities

Animal hospitals, kennels and pounds

Banks

Barber and beauty shops

Car wash

Civic administration

Clinic, outpatient

Dry cleaning and laundries: pick-up and delivery stations and self-service

Educational occupancies for students above the 12th grade including higher education laboratories

Electronic data entry

Food processing establishments and commercial kitchens not associated with restaurants, cafeterias and similar dining facilities not more than 2,500 square feet (232 m [2] ) in area

Laboratories: testing and research and [SFM] instruction

Lithium-ion or lithium metal battery testing, research and development

Motor vehicle showrooms

Post offices

Print shops

Professional services (architects, attorneys, dentists, physicians, engineers, etc.)

Radio and television stations

Telephone exchanges

Training and skill development not in a school or academic program (this shall include, but not be limited to, tutoring centers, martial arts studios, gymnastics and similar uses regardless of the ages served, and where not classified as a Group A occupancy)

304.2 Airport traffic control towers. Airport traffic control towers shall comply with Section 412.2.

304.3 Ambulatory care facilities. Ambulatory care facilities shall comply with Section 422.

SECTION 305—EDUCATIONAL GROUP E

305.1 Educational Group E. Educational Group E occupancy includes, among others, the use of a building or structure, or a portion thereof, more than six persons at any one time for educational purposes through the 12th grade.

Exception: [SFM] A residence used as a home school for the children who normally reside at the residence. Such residences shall remain classified as Group R-2, or Group R-3 occupancies.

305.1.1 Accessory to places of religious worship. Religious educational rooms and religious auditoriums, which are accessory to places of religious worship in accordance with Section 303.1.4 and have occupant loads of less than 100 per room or space, shall be classified as Group A-3 occupancies.

305.2 Group E, child- care facilities. This group includes buildings and structures or portions thereof occupied by more than six children 36 months of age and older who receive educational, supervision or personal care services for fewer than 24 hours per day.

Exception: [SFM] A child-care facility not otherwise classified a Group R-3 occupancy, where occupants are not capable of respond- ing to an emergency situation without physical assistance from the staff shall be classified as Group I-4. Infants and toddlers are allowed in a Group E child care when the facility complies with California Building Code Section 305.2.1, 305.2.2, 305.2.3 or 308.5.1.

2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE 3-5

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OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION AND USE

305.2.1 Within places of religious worship. Rooms and spaces within places of religious worship providing such child care during religious functions shall be classified as part of the primary occupancy where not licensed for child-care purposes by the Department of Social Services.

305.2.2 Five or fewer children. A facility having five or fewer children receiving such day care shall be classified as part of the primary occupancy.
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 § 303.5 High relevance — show source text
Amusement arcades

Art galleries

Bowling alleys

Community halls

Courtrooms

Dance halls (not including food or drink consumption)

Exhibition halls

Funeral parlors

Greenhouses for the conservation and exhibition of plants that provide public access

Gymnasiums (without spectator seating)

Indoor swimming pools (without spectator seating)

Indoor tennis courts (without spectator seating)

Lecture halls

Libraries

Museums

Places of religious worship

Pool and billiard parlors

Waiting areas in transportation terminals

303.5 Assembly Group A-4. Group A-4 occupancy includes assembly uses intended for viewing of indoor sporting events and activities with spectator seating, including but not limited to:

Arenas

Skating rinks

Swimming pools

Tennis courts

3-4 2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE

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OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION AND USE

303.6 Assembly Group A-5. Group A-5 occupancy includes assembly uses intended for participation in or viewing outdoor activities, including but not limited to:

Amusement park structures

Bleachers

Grandstands

Stadiums

303.7 Fixed guideway transit systems. [SFM] Fixed guideway transit system buildings shall conform to the requirements of this code for their occupancy classification in addition to the provisions set forth in Section 443.

303.8 Subterranean spaces for winery facilities in natural or manmade caves. [SFM] For fire and life safety requirements, see Section 446.

SECTION 304—BUSINESS GROUP B

304.1 Business Group B. Business Group B occupancy includes, among others, the use of a building or structure, or a portion thereof, for office, professional or service-type transactions, including storage of records and accounts. Business occupancies shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

Airport traffic control towers

Ambulatory care facilities

Animal hospitals, kennels and pounds

Banks

Barber and beauty shops

Car wash

Civic administration

Clinic, outpatient

Dry cleaning and laundries: pick-up and delivery stations and self-service

Educational occupancies for students above the 12th grade including higher education laboratories

Electronic data entry

Food processing establishments and commercial kitchens not associated with restaurants, cafeterias and similar dining facilities not more than 2,500 square feet (232 m [2] ) in area

Laboratories: testing and research and [SFM] instruction

Lithium-ion or lithium metal battery testing, research and development

Motor vehicle showrooms

Post offices

Print shops

Professional services (architects, attorneys, dentists, physicians, engineers, etc.)

Radio and television stations

Telephone exchanges

Training and skill development not in a school or academic program (this shall include, but not be limited to, tutoring centers, martial arts studios, gymnastics and similar uses regardless of the ages served, and where not classified as a Group A occupancy)

304.2 Airport traffic control towers. Airport traffic control towers shall comply with Section 412.2.

304.3 Ambulatory care facilities. Ambulatory care facilities shall comply with Section 422.

SECTION 305—EDUCATIONAL GROUP E

305.1 Educational Group E. Educational Group E occupancy includes, among others, the use of a building or structure, or a portion thereof, more than six persons at any one time for educational purposes through the 12th grade.
CBC § 203.3.1 High relevance — show source text
Lithium-ion or lithium metal battery testing, research and development

Motor vehicle showrooms

Post offices

Print shops

Professional services (architects, attorneys, dentists, physicians, engineers, etc.)

Radio and television stations

Telephone exchanges

Training and skill development not in a school or academic program (This shall include, but not be limited to, tutoring centers, martial arts studios, gymnastics and similar uses regardless of the ages served, and where not classified as a Group A occupancy.)

[BG] 203.3.1 Airport traffic control towers. Airport traffic control towers shall comply with Section 412.2 of the California Build- ing Code .

[BG] 203.3.2 Ambulatory care facilities. Ambulatory care facilities shall comply with Section 422 of the California Building Code .

Group C (CAMPS, ORGANIZED). An organized camp is a site with programs and facilities established for the primary purpose of providing an outdoor group living experience with social, spiritual, educational or recreational objectives, for five days or more during one or more seasons of the year. See California Building Code Section 450, Group C occupancy.

[BG] 203.3.3 Higher education laboratories. Higher education laboratories shall comply with Section 428 of the California Build- ing Code .

[BG] 203.4 Educational Group E. Educational Group E occupancy includes, among others, the use of a building or structure, or a portion thereof, more than six persons at any one time for educational purposes through the 12th grade.

Exception: A residence used as a home school for the children who normally reside at the residence. Such residences shall remain classified as Group R-2, or Group R-3 occupancies.

[BG] 203.4.1 Accessory to places of religious worship. Religious educational rooms and religious auditoriums, which are accessory to places of religious worship in accordance with Section 303.1.4 of the California Building Code and have occupant loads of less than 100 per room or space shall be classified as Group A-3 occupancies.

[BG] 203.4.2 Group E, child- care facilities. This group includes buildings and structures or portions thereof occupied by more than six children 36 months of age and older who receive educational, supervision or personal care services for fewer than 24 hours per day.

Exception: [SFM] A child-care facility not otherwise classified as a Group R-3 occupancy, where occupants are not capable of responding to an emergency situation without physical assistance from the staff shall be classified as Group I-4. Infants and toddlers are allowed in a Group E child care when the requirements of California Fire Code Section 203.4.2.1, 203.4.2.2, 203.4.2.3, or 203.7.4.1 are met.

[BG] 203.4.2.1 Within places of religious worship. Rooms and spaces within places of religious worship providing such day care during religious functions shall be classified as part of the primary occupancy where not licensed for child-care purposes by the Department of Social Services.

[BG] 203.4.2.2 Five or fewer children. A facility having five or fewer children receiving such day care shall be classified as part of the primary occupancy.
CBC § 3-5 High 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
CBC § 305.1.1 High relevance — show source text
305.1.1 Accessory to places of religious worship. Religious educational rooms and religious auditoriums, which are accessory to places of religious worship in accordance with Section 303.1.4 and have occupant loads of less than 100 per room or space, shall be classified as Group A-3 occupancies.

305.2 Group E, child- care facilities. This group includes buildings and structures or portions thereof occupied by more than six children 36 months of age and older who receive educational, supervision or personal care services for fewer than 24 hours per day.

Exception: [SFM] A child-care facility not otherwise classified a Group R-3 occupancy, where occupants are not capable of respond- ing to an emergency situation without physical assistance from the staff shall be classified as Group I-4. Infants and toddlers are allowed in a Group E child care when the facility complies with California Building Code Section 305.2.1, 305.2.2, 305.2.3 or 308.5.1.

2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE 3-5

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

OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION AND USE

305.2.1 Within places of religious worship. Rooms and spaces within places of religious worship providing such child care during religious functions shall be classified as part of the primary occupancy where not licensed for child-care purposes by the Department of Social Services.

305.2.2 Five or fewer children. A facility having five or fewer children receiving such day care shall be classified as part of the primary occupancy.

305.2.3 Five or fewer children in a dwelling unit. A facility such as the above within a dwelling unit and having five or fewer children receiving such day care shall be classified as a Group R-3 occupancy or shall comply with the California Residential Code .

305.3 Storm shelters in Group E occupancies. Storm shelters shall be provided for Group E occupancies where required by Section 423.5.

SECTION 306—FACTORY GROUP F

306.1 Factory Industrial Group F. Factory Industrial Group F occupancy includes, among others, the use of a building or structure, or a portion thereof, for assembling, disassembling, fabricating, finishing, manufacturing, packaging, repair or processing operations that are not classified as a Group H hazardous or Group S storage occupancy.

306.2 Moderate-hazard factory industrial, Group F-1. Factory industrial uses that are not classified as Factory Industrial F-2 Low Hazard shall be classified as F-1 Moderate Hazard and shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

Aircraft (manufacturing, not to include repair)

Appliances

Athletic equipment

Automobiles and other motor vehicles

Bakeries

Beverages: over 20-percent alcohol content

Bicycles

Boats

Brooms or brushes

Business machines

Cameras and photo equipment

Canvas or similar fabric

Carpets and rugs (includes cleaning)

Clothing

Construction and agricultural machinery

Disinfectants

Dry cleaning and dyeing

Electric generation plants

Electronics

Energy storage systems (ESS) in dedicated use buildings

Energy storage systems (ESS) and equipment containing lithium-ion or lithium metal batteries

Engines (including rebuilding)

Food processing establishments and commercial kitchens not associated with restaurants, cafeterias and similar dining facilities more than 2,500 square feet (232 m [2] ) in area

Furniture

Hemp products

Jute products
CBC § 308.4.7 Medium relevance — show source text
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)

308.5.1 Classification as Group E. A child day care facility that provides care for more than six but not more than 100 children under 36 months of age, where the rooms in which the children are cared for are located on a level of exit discharge serving such rooms and each of these child care rooms has an exit door directly to the exterior, shall be classified as Group E.

308.5.1.1 Special provisions. See Section 452.1.4 of the California Building Code for child care locations above or below the first story.

308.5.2 Within a place of religious worship. Rooms and spaces within places of religious worship providing such care during religious functions shall be licensed by the California State Department Health Services as required by Health and Safety Code Divi- sion 2 Chapter 3.5.

308.5.3 Five or fewer persons receiving care. A facility having five or fewer persons receiving custodial care shall be licensed pursuant to Health and Safety Code Division 2 Chapter 3.5 or 3.6.

308.5.4 Six or fewer persons receiving care in a dwelling unit. A facility such as the above within a dwelling unit and having six or fewer persons receiving custodial care shall be classified as a Group R-3 occupancy , where occupants are not capable of responding to an emergency situation without physical assistance from the staff shall be classified as a Group I-4.

SECTION 309—MERCANTILE GROUP M

309.1 Mercantile Group M. Mercantile Group M occupancy includes, among others, the use of a building or structure or a portion thereof for the display and sale of merchandise, and involves stocks of goods, wares or merchandise incidental to such purposes and where the public has access. Mercantile occupancies shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

Department stores

Drug stores

Greenhouses for display and sale of plants that provide public access

Markets

Motor fuel-dispensing facilities

Retail or wholesale stores

Sales rooms
CBC § 301.1 Medium 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 § 450.7.7 Medium relevance — show source text
450.7.7 Exits. For purposes of determining occupant load for exit requirements, see Section 450.3.2.

450.7.8 Liquefied petroleum gas. The construction and installation of all tanks, cylinders, equipment and systems used or intended for use in conjunction with any liquefied petroleum gas shall conform to the provisions of the California Mechanical Code and the Cali- fornia Fire Code.

450.7.9 Air-conditioning and ventilation systems. Heating units used as an integral part of an air-conditioning and ventilation system shall be installed in accordance with Sections 450.7.2, 450.7.3 and 450.7.6.

450.8 Camp fire alarm. Every organized camp shall provide and maintain a device or devices suitable for sounding a fire alarm. Such device or devices may be of any type acceptable to the enforcing agency provided they are distinctive in tone from all other signaling devices or systems and shall be audible throughout the camp premises. When an automatic fire alarm system is provided, as required by Section 450.6.6, all signaling devices required by this section shall be of the same type as that used in the automatic system.

SECTION 451—RESERVED

SECTION 452 —SCHOOL FACILITIES FOR KINDERGARTEN THROUGH 12TH GRADE AND GROUP E CHILD CARE

452.1 General provisions. School facilities for Kindergarten through 12th grade and Group E child care shall comply with the provisions of this section and other applicable provisions of this code including requirements for specific occupancies.

452.1.1 Location on property. All buildings housing Group E occupancies shall front directly on a public street or an exit discharge not less than 20 feet (6096 mm) in width. The exit discharge to the public street shall be a minimum 20-foot-wide (6096 mm) right-of- way, unobstructed and maintained only as access to the public street. At least one required exit shall be located on the public street or on the exit discharge.

452.1.2 Separate means of egress systems required. Every room with an occupant load of 300 or more shall have one of its exits or exit-access doorways lead directly into a separate means of egress system that consists of not less than two paths of exit travel which are separated by a smoke barrier in accordance with Section 709 in such a manner to provide an atmospheric separation that precludes contamination of both paths of exit travel by the same fire. Not more than two required exits or exit-access doorways shall enter into the same means of egress system.

452.1.3 Fences and gates. School grounds may be fenced and gates therein may be equipped with locks, provided that safe disper- sal areas based on 3 square feet (0.28 m [2] ) per occupant are located between the school and the fence. Such required safe dispersal areas shall not be located less than 50 feet (15 240 mm) from school buildings.

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SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON OCCUPANCY AND USE

Every public and private school shall conform with Section 32020 of the Education Code which states:
CBC § 406.3.2 Medium relevance — show source text
See Section 420.
b. The required separation from areas used only for private or pleasure vehicles shall be reduced by 1 hour but not to less than 1 hour.
c. See Sections 406.3.2 and 406.6.4.
d. Separation is not required between occupancies of the same classification.
e. See Section 422.2 for ambulatory care facilities.
f. Occupancy separations that serve to define fire area limits established in Chapter 9 for requiring fire protection systems shall also comply with Section 707.3.10 and Table
707.3.10 in accordance with Section 901.7.
g._ [SFM]_Group I and F1 occupancies and Group R-2.1 and F-1 occupancies shall have a 3 hour separation.
h._ [SFM]_Commercial kitchens not associated with cafeterias and similar dining facilities in Group I-2 and Group R-2.1 shall have a 2-hour separation and shall be protected by an
automatic sprinkler system.
i._ [SFM]__ Group E child-care separation with I-4 child care can be reduced to 1 hour with the installation of automatic fire sprinklers in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1.
j. When not considered an accessory use in accordance with Section 508.2.4, the required separation between Group I-2 and required covers for accessible entrances and emergency_
vehicle entrances, when in accordance with Section 406.5.2 and protected by an automatic sprinkler system, shall be reduced by 1 hour but not to less than 1 hour. See Section
903.2.21.|S = Buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1.
NS = Buildings not equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1.
N = No separation requirement.
NP = Not Permitted.
a. See Section 420.
b. The required separation from areas used only for private or pleasure vehicles shall be reduced by 1 hour but not to less than 1 hour.
c. See Sections 406.3.2 and 406.6.4.
d. Separation is not required between occupancies of the same classification.
e. See Section 422.2 for ambulatory care facilities.
f. Occupancy separations that serve to define fire area limits established in Chapter 9 for requiring fire protection systems shall also comply with Section 707.3.10 and Table
707.3.10 in accordance with Section 901.7.
g._ [SFM]_Group I and F1 occupancies and Group R-2.1 and F-1 occupancies shall have a 3 hour separation.
h._ [SFM]_Commercial kitchens not associated with cafeterias and similar dining facilities in Group I-2 and Group R-2.1 shall have a 2-hour separation and shall be protected by an
automatic sprinkler system.
i._ [SFM]__ Group E child-care separation with I-4 child care can be reduced to 1 hour with the installation of automatic fire sprinklers in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1.
j. When not considered an accessory use in accordance with Section 508.2.4,
CBC § 2.1 Medium relevance — show source text
1. 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 § 907.2.3.8 Medium relevance — show source text
Concession Stand

Press Box Restroom Facility Shade Structure

Snack Bar Storage Building Ticket Booth

907.2.3.8 Private schools. An automatic fire alarm system shall be provided in new buildings of private schools.

Exception: Automatic detection devices are not required where an approved automatic sprinkler system is installed in accor- dance with Section 903.3.1.1 and the occupant notification appliances will activate on sprinkler water flow and manual activation is provided from a normally occupied location.

907.2.3.9 Day-care, Group E.

907.2.3.9.1 An automatic fire alarm system shall be provided in all buildings used as or containing a Group E day-care.

Exception: Automatic detection devices are not required where an approved automatic sprinkler system is installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 and the occupant notification appliances will activate on sprinkler water flow and manual activation is provided from a normally occupied location.

907.2.3.9.2 Smoke detectors shall be installed in every room used for sleeping or napping.

907.2.3.10 Day-care, Group E or Group I-4 located on a public school campus. An automatic fire alarm system shall be provided in all buildings used as or containing a Group E or Group I-4 day-care.

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FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY SYSTEMS

[F] 907.2.4 Group F. A manual fire alarm system that activates the occupant notification system in accordance with Section 907.5 shall be installed in Group F occupancies where both of the following conditions exist:
1. The Group F occupancy is two or more stories in height.
2. The Group F occupancy has a combined occupant load of 500 or more above or below the lowest level of exit discharge.
Exception: Manual fire alarm boxes are not required where the building is equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 and the occupant notification appliances will activate throughout the notification zones upon sprinkler water flow.

[F] 907.2.4.1 Manufacturing involving lithium-ion or lithium metal batteries. A fire alarm system activated by an airsampling-type smoke detection system or a radiant-energy-sensing detection system shall be installed throughout the entire fire area where lithium-ion or lithium metal batteries are manufactured; and where the manufacturer of vehicles, energy storage systems or equipment containing lithium-ion or lithium metal batteries when the batteries are installed as part of the manufacturing process.

[F] 907.2.5 Group H. A manual fire alarm system that activates the occupant notification system in accordance with Section 907.5 shall be installed in Group H-5 occupancies and in occupancies used for the manufacture of organic coatings. An automatic smoke detection system shall be installed for highly toxic gases, organic peroxides and oxidizers in accordance with Chapters 60, 62 and 63, respectively, of the California Fire Code .

907.2.5.1 Group H occupancies located on the 11th story and above. Manual fire alarm boxes shall be required on each side of the 2-hour fire-smoke barrier and at each exit on the 11th story and above.

Frequently asked questions

Who decides whether a child‑care use is Group E or I‑4?

The enforcing jurisdiction (building official / AHJ) determines classification based on code facts (ages served, occupant counts, egress configuration). Use the thresholds in § 305.2 and § 308.5.1 to document the basis for the classification .

If I have exactly six children, is my facility Group E?

No — the CBC language uses “more than six.” Facilities with six or fewer children fall under the small‑facility provisions and may be classified as part of the primary occupancy or as R‑3 in a dwelling (see § 305.2.2 and § 305.2.3) .

Can infant/toddler rooms be Group E?

Yes — but only when § 308.5.1’s conditions are met: more than six but not more than 100 children under 36 months and each child care room located on a level of exit discharge with an exit door directly to the exterior; otherwise the rooms are I‑4 .

Does religious‑education day‑care always count as Group E?

Not always. Rooms used for child care during religious functions are part of the primary occupancy when not licensed for child care (§ 305.2.1). Also, small religious educational rooms with occupant loads under 100 may be Group A‑3 rather than E (§ 305.1.1) .

If occupants can’t evacuate without staff help, what then?

If occupants are not capable of responding to an emergency without physical assistance, the facility is classified as Group I‑4 instead of Group E (exception in § 305.2) .

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Related in the CBC

High‑hazard Group H — classification criteria and tables

Factory & industrial — when to use F‑1 versus F‑2

Mercantile (Group M) and Storage (Group S) — typical uses and limits

High‑hazard, Educational, Factory, Mercantile & Storage

California Building Code