The Ontario Building Code | Prohibition of Occupancy Combinations
3.1.3.2. Prohibition of Occupancy Combinations
(1) No major occupancy of Group F, Division 1 shall be contained within a building with any occupancy classified as Group A, B or C.
(2) Except as provided in Sentence (4) and Sentence 3.10.2.4.(9), not more than one suite of residential occupancy shall be contained within a buildingclassified as a Group F, Division 2 major occupancy.
(3) A sleeping room or sleeping area shall not open directly into a room or area where food is intended to be stored, prepared, processed, distributed, served, sold or offered for sale.
(4) A Group F, Division 2 major occupancy is permitted in a building containing only live/work units if the occupancyis for the exclusive use of the occupants of the live/work units.
(5) A building within the scope of Article 3.2.2.43A. or 3.2.2.50A. shall not contain,
(a) a Group A, Division 1 or 3, Group B, or Group F, Division 1 or 2 major occupancy,
(b) a Group A, Division 2 or a Group Emajor occupancy above the second storey, or
Note: On July 1, 2017, Sentence 3.1.3.2.(5) of Division B of the Regulation is amended by striking out "or" at the end of Clause (b) and by adding the following Clause: (See: O. Reg. 139/17, s. 9)
(b.1) a retirement home, or
(c) except as permitted by Sentence (6), a Group F, Division 3 major occupancy.
(6) A storage garage below the third storeyis permitted in a building within the scope of Article 3.2.2.43A. or 3.2.2.50A.
3.1.4. Combustible Construction
In Plain Language
This clause prohibits certain combinations of major occupancies from being located together in the same building at all, specifically ruling out combining a Group F, Division 1 occupancy (high-hazard industrial) with certain other occupancy types due to the elevated risk that combination would create.
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.