The Ontario Building Code | Occupancy Classification
9.10.2.1. Occupancy Classification
(1) Everybuilding or part of it shall be classified according to its major occupancy as belonging to one of the groups or divisions described in Table 9.10.2.1.
Table 9.10.2.1.
Occupancy Classifications
Forming Part of Sentence 9.10.2.1.(1)
| Item | Column 1 Group | Column 2 Division | Column 3 Description of Major Occupancies |
| 1. | C | — | residential occupancies |
| 2. | D | — | Business and personal services occupancies |
| 3. | E | — | Mercantile occupancies |
| 4. | F | 2 | Medium hazard industrial occupancies |
| 5. | F | 3 | Low hazard industrial occupancies (Does not include storage garages serving individual dwelling units) |
Note: On July 1, 2017, item 5 of Table 9.10.2.1. of Division B of the Regulation is amended by striking out "(Does not include storage garagesserving individual dwelling units)" in Column 3 and substituting "(Does not include storage garages serving houses or individual dwelling units)". (See: O. Reg. 139/17, s. 98)
In Plain Language
This article sets out how a building's occupancy is classified for the purposes of the fire safety provisions in this Section, forming the basis for many of the rules that follow.
This is a plain-language summary of the 2012/2017 Ontario Building Code text above, for general understanding only and not a substitute for the Code. Always confirm current requirements against the 2024 edition (O.Reg. 163/24) or a qualified professional before construction.