Dwelling types, units and occupancy-related definitions

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

• CRC § 18001.8. High relevance — show source text

  which receive_ their power from the electrical system of the building and requires compliance with the local rule, regulation or ordi- nance at a date subsequent to the dates specified in this section, the compliance date specified in the rule, regulation or ordinance shall, but only with respect to the dwelling units specified in this section, take precedence over the dates specified in this section. The State Fire Marshal may adopt regulations exempting dwellings intended for human occupancy with fire sprin- kler systems from the provisions of this section, if he or she determines that a smoke detector is not reasonably necessary for fire safety in the occupancy. Unless prohibited by local rules, regulations or ordinances, a battery-operated smoke detector which otherwise meets the standards adopted pursuant to Section 13114 for smoke detectors, satisfies the requirements of this section.

  b. “Dwelling units intended for human occupancy,” as used in this section, includes a duplex, lodging house, apartment complex, hotel, motel, condominium, stock cooperative, time-share project or dwelling unit of a multiple-unit dwelling complex. For the purpose of this part, “dwelling units intended for human occupancy” does not include manufactured homes as defined in Section 18007, mobile homes as defined in Section 18008, and commercial coaches as defined in Section 18001.8.

  c. The owner of each dwelling unit subject to this section shall supply and install smoke detectors required by this section in the locations and in the manner set forth in the manufacturer's instructions, as approved by the State Fire Marshal’s regula- tions. In the case of apartment complexes and other multiple- dwelling complexes, a smoke detector shall be installed in the common stairwells. All fire alarm warning systems supplemental to the smoke detector shall also be listed by the State Fire Marshal.

  d. A high-rise structure, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 13210 and regulated by Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 13210), and which is used for purposes other than as dwelling units intended for human occupancy, is exempt from the requirements of this section. e. The owner shall be responsible for testing and maintaining detectors in hotels, motels, lodging houses and common stair- wells of apartment complexes and other multiple-dwelling complexes. An owner or the owner’s agent may enter any dwelling unit, efficiency dwelling unit, guest room and suite owned by the owner for the purpose of installing, repairing, testing and maintaining single station smoke detectors required by this section. Except in cases of emergency, the owner or owner’s agent shall give the tenants of each such unit, room or suite reasonable notice in writing of the intention to enter and shall enter only during normal business hours. Twenty-four hours shall be presumed to be reasonable notice in absence of evidence to the contrary. The smoke detector shall be operable at the time that the tenant takes possession. The apartment complex tenant shall be responsible for notifying the manager or owner if the tenant becomes aware of an inoperable smoke detector within his or her unit. The owner or authorized agent shall correct any reported deficiencies in the smoke detector and shall not be in violation of this section for a deficient smoke detector when he or she has not received notice of the deficiency. f. A violation of this section is an infraction punishable by a maximum fine of two hundred dollars ($200) for each offense. g. This section shall not affect any rights which the parties may have under any other provision of law because of the presence or absence of a smoke detector.

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• CRC § 2-26 High relevance — show source text

  [A] DWELLING UNIT. A single unit providing complete, independent living facilities for one or more persons, including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation. [HCD 1-AC] For the purposes of Chapter 11A, a single unit of residence for a family of one or more persons. Examples of dwelling units covered by Chapter 11A include condominiums, an apartment unit within an apartment building, and other types of dwellings in which sleeping accommodations are provided but toileting or cooking facilities are shared by occupants of more than one room or portion of the dwelling. Examples of the latter include dormitory rooms and sleeping accommodations in shelters intended for occupancy as residences for homeless persons.

  [BG] DWELLING UNIT, EFFICIENCY. A dwelling unit where all permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating and cooking are contained in a single room.

  DWELLING UNIT OR SLEEPING UNIT, MULTISTORY. See “Multistory unit.”

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  DEFINITIONS

  EFFECTIVE PARTICLE SIZE. The theoretical size of a sieve in mm that will pass 10 percent by weight of sand.

  EFFICIENCY DWELLING UNIT. [HCD 1] A dwelling unit constructed in accordance with Health and Safety Code Section 17958.1 or the Cali- fornia Building Code Section 1208.4.

  [BE] EGRESS COURT. A court or yard which provides access to a public way for one or more exits.

  ELECTRIC VEHICLE (EV). [DSA-AC & SFM] An automotive-type vehicle for on-road use, such as passenger automobiles, buses, trucks, vans, neighborhood electric vehicles, electric motorcycles and the like, primarily powered by an electric motor that draws current from a rechargeable storage battery, fuel cell, photovoltaic array or other source of electric current. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) are considered electric vehicles. For the purpose of this code, off-road, self-propelled electric vehicles, such as industrial trucks, hoists, lifts, transports, golf carts, airline ground support equipment, tractors, boats and the like, are not included.

  ELECTRIC VEHICLE (EV) CHARGER. [DSA-AC] Off-board charging equipment used to charge an electric vehicle.

  ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING SPACE (EV Space). [DSA-AC] A space intended for charging electric vehicles.

  ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATION (EVCS). [DSA-AC] One or more electric vehicle charging spaces served by an electric vehicle charger or other charging equipment. Where a multiport electric vehicle charger can simultaneously charge more than one vehicle, the number of electric vehicle charging stations shall be considered equivalent to the number of electric vehicles that can be simultaneously charged.

  ELECTRIC VEHICLE (EV) CONNECTOR. [DSA-AC] A device that, when electrically coupled (conductive or inductive) to an electric vehicle inlet, establishes an electrical connection to the electric vehicle for the purpose of power transfer and information exchange. This device is part of the electric vehicle coupler.

  [BG] ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATION. One or more vehicle spaces served by an electric vehicle charging system.

• CRC § 2-26 Medium relevance — show source text

  DRIVE AISLE. [DSA-AC] A vehicular way provided within a parking facility that connects vehicular entrances, parking stalls, electric vehi- cle charging stations, passenger loading zones and vehicular exits.

  DRIVE-UP ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATION. [DSA-AC] An electric vehicle charging station in which use is limited to 30 minutes maximum and is provided at a location where the electric vehicle approaches in the forward direction, stops in the vehicle space, charges the vehicle and proceeds forward to depart the vehicle space. The arrangement of a drive-up electric vehicle charger and its associated vehicle space is similar to a gasoline filling station island.

  DRIVEWAY. [DSA-AC] A vehicular way providing access between a public way and a building, parking facility, or other off-street area. A driveway may provide access to drive aisles in a parking facility.

  [BS] DRY FLOODPROOFING. A combination of design modifications that results in a building or structure, including the attendant utilities and equipment and sanitary facilities, being watertight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water and with structural components having the capacity to resist loads as identified in ASCE 7.

  [F] DRY-CHEMICAL EXTINGUISHING AGENT. A powder composed of small particles, usually of sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, urea-potassium-based bicarbonate, potassium chloride or monoammonium phosphate, with added particulate material supplemented by special treatment to provide resistance to packing, resistance to moisture absorption (caking) and the proper flow capabilities.

  [A] DWELLING. A building that contains one or two dwelling units used, intended or designed to be used, rented, leased, let or hired out to be occupied for living purposes.

  [A] DWELLING UNIT. A single unit providing complete, independent living facilities for one or more persons, including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation. [HCD 1-AC] For the purposes of Chapter 11A, a single unit of residence for a family of one or more persons. Examples of dwelling units covered by Chapter 11A include condominiums, an apartment unit within an apartment building, and other types of dwellings in which sleeping accommodations are provided but toileting or cooking facilities are shared by occupants of more than one room or portion of the dwelling. Examples of the latter include dormitory rooms and sleeping accommodations in shelters intended for occupancy as residences for homeless persons.

  [BG] DWELLING UNIT, EFFICIENCY. A dwelling unit where all permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating and cooking are contained in a single room.

  DWELLING UNIT OR SLEEPING UNIT, MULTISTORY. See “Multistory unit.”

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  DEFINITIONS

  EFFECTIVE PARTICLE SIZE. The theoretical size of a sieve in mm that will pass 10 percent by weight of sand.

  EFFICIENCY DWELLING UNIT. [HCD 1] A dwelling unit constructed in accordance with Health and Safety Code Section 17958.1 or the Cali- fornia Building Code Section 1208.4.

  [BE] EGRESS COURT. A court or yard which provides access to a public way for one or more exits.

• CRC § 203.9 Medium relevance — show source text

  [BG] 203.9 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 in accordance with Section 101.2 of the California Building Code . Group R occupancies not constructed in accordance with the Califor- nia Residential Code as permitted by Sections 310.4.1 and 310.4.2 of the California Building Code shall comply with Section 420 of the California Building Code .

  [BG] 203.9.1 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)

  Lodging houses with more than five guestrooms

  [BG] 203.9.2 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

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  DEFINITIONS

  Congregate residences (nontransient) with more than 16 occupants

  Boarding houses (nontransient)

  Boarding houses (nontransient)

  Convents

  Dormitories

  Emergency services living quarters

  Fraternities and sororities

  Monasteries

  Hotels (nontransient) with more than five guestrooms

  Live/work units

  Motels (nontransient) with more than five guestrooms

  Vacation timeshare properties

  203.9.2.1 Residential Group R-2.1. Residential Group R-2.1 occupancies shall include buildings, structures or parts thereof hous- ing 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 Appendix Chapter 4, 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

  203.9.2.2 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 non-transient ambulatory participants in a non-licensed facility with 24/7 supervision Community Correctional Reentry Centers.

• CRC § 310.3.1 Medium relevance — show source text

  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.

  310.4 Residential Group R-3. Residential Group R-3 occupancies where the occupants are primarily permanent in nature and not classified as Group R-1, R-2.1, R-2.2, R-3.1, R-4 or I, including:

  Buildings that do not contain more than two dwelling units

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  OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION AND USE

  Care facilities that provide accommodations for five or fewer persons receiving care

  Congregate residences (nontransient) with 16 or fewer occupants

  Boarding houses (nontransient)

  Convents

  Dormitories

  Emergency services living quarters

  Fraternities and sororities

  Monasteries

  Congregate residences (transient) with 10 or fewer occupants

  [HCD 1] Efficiency dwelling units

  Boarding houses (transient)

  Adult care facilities that provide accommodations for six or fewer clients of any age for less than 24 hours

  Licensing categories that may use this classification include Adult Day Programs

  Alcoholism or drug abuse recovery homes (ambulatory only)

  Child-care facilities that provide accommodations for six or fewer clients of any age for less than 24 hours

  Licensing categories that may use this classification include, but are not limited to:

  Day-Care Center for Mildly Ill Children, Infant Care Center, School Age Child Day-Care Center

  Family Day-Care Homes that provide accommodations for 14 or fewer children, in the provider’s own home for less than 24-hours

• CRC § 203.9.3 Medium relevance — show source text

  [BG] 203.9.3 Residential Group R-3. Residential Group R-3 occupancies where the occupants are primarily permanent in nature and not classified as Group R-1, R-2, R-2.1, R-2.2, R-3.1, R-4 or I, including:

  Buildings that do not contain more than two dwelling units

  Care facilities that provide accommodations for five or fewer persons receiving care

  Congregate residences (nontransient) with 16 or fewer occupants

  Boarding houses (nontransient)

  Convents

  Dormitories

  Emergency services living quarters

  Fraternities and sororities

  Monasteries

  Congregate residences (transient) with 10 or fewer occupants

  Boarding houses (transient)

  Lodging houses with five or fewer guestrooms

  Adult care facilities that provide accommodations for six or fewer clients of any age for less than 24 hours.

  Licensing categories that may use this classification include, but are not limited to: Adult Day Programs

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  DEFINITIONS

  Child-care facilities that provide accommodations for six or fewer clients of any age for less than 24 hours.

  Licensing categories that may use this classification include, but are not limited to: Day-Care Center for Mildly Ill Children Adult Day Programs Infant Care Center School Age Child Day-Care Center.

  Alcoholism or drug abuse recovery homes (ambulatory only)

  Family Day-Care Homes that provide accommodations for 14 or fewer children, in the provider’s own home for less than 24-hours.

  Adult care and child-care facilities that are within a single-family home are permitted to comply with the California Residential Code.

  Hotels (nontransient) with five or fewer guestrooms

  Motels (nontransient) with five or fewer guestrooms

  [BG] 203.9.3.1 Care facilities within a dwelling. Care facilities for five or fewer persons receiving care that are within a singlefamily dwelling are permitted to 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 P2904 of the California Residential Code .

  [BG] 203.9.3.2 Lodging houses. Owner-occupied lodging houses with five or fewer guestrooms shall be constructed in accordance with the California Building Code or the California Residential Code, provided that facilities constructed using the California Residential Code are protected by an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section R313 of the California Residential Code .

  203.9.3.3 Residential Group R-3.1. Residential Group R-3.1 occupancies may include facilities licensed by a governmental agency for a residentially based 24-hour care facility providing accommodations for six or fewer clients of any age. Clients may be classified as ambulatory, nonambulatory or bedridden. A Group R-3.1 occupancy shall meet the requirements for construction as defined for Group R-3, except as otherwise provided for in Appendix Chapter 4, Section 425, Special Provisions For Licensed 24- Hour Care Facilities in a Group R-2.1, R-3.1 or R-4 occupancy. This group may include:

  Adult Residential Facilities

  Congregate Living Health Facilities

• CRC § 310.4 Medium relevance — show source text

  310.4 Residential Group R-3. Residential Group R-3 occupancies where the occupants are primarily permanent in nature and not classified as Group R-1, R-2.1, R-2.2, R-3.1, R-4 or I, including:

  Buildings that do not contain more than two dwelling units

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  OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION AND USE

  Care facilities that provide accommodations for five or fewer persons receiving care

  Congregate residences (nontransient) with 16 or fewer occupants

  Boarding houses (nontransient)

  Convents

  Dormitories

  Emergency services living quarters

  Fraternities and sororities

  Monasteries

  Congregate residences (transient) with 10 or fewer occupants

  [HCD 1] Efficiency dwelling units

  Boarding houses (transient)

  Adult care facilities that provide accommodations for six or fewer clients of any age for less than 24 hours

  Licensing categories that may use this classification include Adult Day Programs

  Alcoholism or drug abuse recovery homes (ambulatory only)

  Child-care facilities that provide accommodations for six or fewer clients of any age for less than 24 hours

  Licensing categories that may use this classification include, but are not limited to:

  Day-Care Center for Mildly Ill Children, Infant Care Center, School Age Child Day-Care Center

  Family Day-Care Homes that provide accommodations for 14 or fewer children, in the provider’s own home for less than 24-hours

  Adult care and child-care facilities that are within a single family home are permitted to comply with the California Residential Code

  Lodging houses with five or fewer guest rooms

  310.4.1 Residential Group R-3.1. This occupancy group may include facilities licensed by a governmental agency for a residentially based 24-hour care facility providing accommodations for six or fewer clients of any age. Clients may be classified as ambulatory, nonambulatory or bedridden. A Group R-3.1 occupancy shall meet the requirements for construction as defined for Group R-3, except as otherwise provided for in Section 435 Special Provisions For Licensed 24-Hour Care Facilities in a Group R-2.1, R-3.1 or R-4 Occu- pancy. This group may include:

  Adult residential facilities

  Congregate living health facilities

  Intermediate care facilities for the developmentally disabled habilitative

  Intermediate care facilities for the developmentally disabled nursing

  Nurseries for the full-time care of children under the age of six, but not including “infants” as defined in Chapter 2

  Residential care facilities for the elderly

  Small family homes and residential care facilities for the chronically ill

  Exception: Group Homes licensed by the Department of Social Services which provide nonmedical board, room and care for six or fewer ambulatory children or children two years of age or younger, and which do not have any nonambulatory clients shall not be subject to regulations found in Section 435.

• CRC § 309.3 Medium relevance — show source text

  309.3 Motor fuel-dispensing facilities. Motor fuel-dispensing facilities shall comply with Section 406.7.

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  OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION AND USE

  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.

• CRC § 508.5 Medium relevance — show source text

  Structures with multiple occupancies or uses shall comply with Section 508 of the California Building Code. Where a struc-_ ture is proposed for a purpose that is not specifically provided for in this code, such structure shall be classified in the group that the occupancy most nearly resembles, according to the fire safety and relative hazard involved in accordance with this code or the Cali- fornia Building Code.

  Note: Live/work units complying with the requirements of Section 508.5 of the California Building Code are classified as a Group R-2 occupancy and are permitted to be constructed as one- and two-family dwellings or townhouses in accordance with this code.

  1.1.3.1.1 Utility and Miscellaneous Group U. Buildings and structures of an accessory character and miscellaneous structures not classified in any specific occupancy shall be constructed, equipped and maintained to conform to the requirements of this code commensurate with the fire and life hazard incidental to their occupancy. Group U shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

  Agricultural buildings

  Aircraft hangars, accessory to a one- or two-family residence (see Section 412.5 of the California Building Code)

  Barns

  Carports

  Fences more than 7 feet (2134 mm) high

  Grain silos, accessory to a residential occupancy

  Greenhouses

  Livestock shelters

  Private garages

  Retaining walls

  Sheds

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  DIVISION I CALIFORNIA ADMINISTRATION

  Stables

  Tanks

  Towers

  1.1.3.2 Regulated buildings, structures and applications. The model code, state amendments to the model code and/or state amendments where there are no relevant model code provisions shall apply to detached one- and two-family dwellings, lodging houses, live/work units, townhouses and structures accessory thereto. State agencies with regulatory authority as specified in Sections 1.2 through 1.14, except where modified by local ordinance pursuant to Section 1.1.8. When adopted by a state agency, the provisions of this code shall be enforced by the appropriate enforcing agency, but only to the extent of authority granted to such agency by the state legislature.

  Note: See “How to Distinguish Between Model Code Language and California Amendments” following the Preface. 1. One- and two-family dwellings, townhouses, employee housing, factory-built housing and other types of dwellings contain- ing sleeping accommodations with common toilets or cooking facilities. See Section 1.8.2.1.1. 2. Permanent buildings and permanent accessory buildings or structures constructed within mobilehome parks and special occupancy parks regulated by the Department of Housing and Community Development. See Section 1.8.2.1.3. 3. Applications regulated by the Office of the State Fire Marshal include, but are not limited to, the following in accordance with Section 1.11:

• CRC § 308.5.1.1 Medium relevance — show source text

  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

  309.2 Quantity of hazardous materials. The aggregate quantity of nonflammable solid and nonflammable or noncombustible liquid hazardous materials stored or displayed in a single control area of a Group M occupancy shall not exceed the quantities in Table 414.2.5.1.

  309.3 Motor fuel-dispensing facilities. Motor fuel-dispensing facilities shall comply with Section 406.7.

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  OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION AND USE

  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

• CRC § 18001.8. Medium relevance — show source text

  (5) A fire alarm system with smoke detectors installed in accordance with the State Fire Marshal’s regulations may be installed in lieu of smoke alarms required pursuant to paragraph (1) or (2) of this subdivision, or paragraph (3) of subdivision (d).

  (b) “Dwelling units intended for human occupancy,” as used in this section, includes a duplex, lodging house, apartment complex, hotel, motel, condominium, stock cooperative, time-share project or dwelling unit of a multiple-unit dwelling complex. For the purpose of this part, “dwelling units intended for human occupancy” does not include manufactured homes as defined in Section 18007, mobilehomes as defined in Section 18008, and commercial coaches as defined in Section 18001.8.

  (c) A high-rise structure, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 13210 and regulated by Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 13210), and which is used for purposes other than as dwelling units intended for human occupancy, is exempt from the require- ments of this section.

  (d) (1) The owner shall be responsible for testing and maintaining alarms in hotels, motels, lodging houses, apartment complexes and other multiple-dwelling complexes in which units are neither rented nor leased.

  (2) The owner of a hotel, motel, lodging house, apartment complex or other multiple-dwelling complex in which units are rented or leased, and commencing January 1, 2014, the owner of a single-family dwelling that is rented or leased, shall be responsible for testing and maintaining alarms required by this section as follows:

  (A) An owner or the owner’s agent may enter any dwelling unit, efficiency dwelling unit, guest room and suite owned by the owner for the purpose of installing, repairing, testing and maintaining single station smoke alarms required by this section. Except in cases of emergency, the owner or owner’s agent shall give the tenants of each such unit, room or suite reasonable notice in writing of the intention to enter and shall enter only during normal business hours. Twenty-four hours shall be presumed to be reasonable notice in absence of evidence to the contrary.

  (B) At the time that a new tenancy is created, the owner shall ensure that smoke alarms are operable. The tenant shall be responsible for notifying the manager or owner if the tenant becomes aware of an inoperable smoke alarm within his or

  2025 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE 11-11

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

  CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS FOR EXISTING BUILDINGS

  her unit. The owner or authorized agent shall correct any reported deficiencies in the smoke alarm and shall not be in violation of this section for a deficient smoke alarm when he or she has not received notice of the deficiency.

  (3) On or before January 1, 2016, the owner of a dwelling unit intended for human occupancy in which one or more units is rented or leased shall install additional smoke alarms, as needed, to ensure that smoke alarms are located in compliance with current building standards. Existing alarms need not be replaced unless the alarm is inoperable. New smoke alarms installed in compliance with current building standards may be battery operated provided the alarms have been approved by the State Fire Marshal for sale in the state. This paragraph shall not apply to fire alarm systems with smoke detectors, fire alarm devices that connect to a panel, or other devices that use a low-power radio frequency wireless communication signal.

  (e) A violation of this section is an infraction punishable by a maximum fine of two hundred dollars ($200) for each offense.

• CRC § 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.