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The provisions of this code shall apply to the construction, alteration, movement, enlargement, replacement, repair, equipment, use and occupancy, location, maintenance, removal and demolition of every detached one- and two-family dwelling and townhouse not more than three stories above grade plane in height with a separate means of egress and structures accessory thereto throughout the State of California.

Exceptions:

1. Live/work units complying with the requirements of Section 419 of the California Building Code shall be permitted to be constructed as one- and two-family dwellings or townhouses in accordance with this code, as applicable. Fire suppression required by Section 419.5 of the California Building Code when constructed under the California Residential Code for one- and two-family dwellings shall conform to Section 903.3.1.3 of the California Building Code.

2. Owner-occupied lodging houses with five or fewer guestrooms shall be permitted to be constructed in accordance with the California Residential Code for one- and two-family dwellings when equipped with a fire sprinkler system in accordance with Section R313.

Classification.

Structures or portions of structures shall be classified with respect to occupancy in one or more of the groups listed in Chapter 3 of the California Building Code. A room or space that is intended to be occupied at different times for different purposes shall comply with all of the requirements that are applicable to each of the purposes for which the room or space will be occupied. Structures with multiple occupancies or uses shall comply with Section 508 of the California Building Code. Where a structure 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 California Building Code.

Note: Live/work units complying with the requirements of Section 419 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.

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

Stables

Tanks

Towers

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 Preface to distinguish the model code provisions from the California provisions.

1. One- and two-family dwellings, townhouses, employee housing, factory-built housing and other types of dwellings containing 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:

3.1. Buildings or structures used or intended for use as a/an:

1. Home for the elderly, children’s nursery, children’s home or institution, school or any similar occupancy of any capacity

2. Small family day-care homes, large family day-care homes, residential facilities and residential facilities for the elderly, residential care facilities

3. State institutions or other state-owned or state-occupied buildings

4. Residential structures

5. Tents, awnings or other fabric enclosures used in connection with any occupancy

6. Fire alarm devices, equipment and systems in connection with any occupancy

7. Wildland-urban interface fire areas