SECTION 310RESIDENTIAL GROUP R310.1Residential 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 within the scope of the "Residential Code of Ohio for One-, Two-, or Three-Family Dwellings.". 310.1.1Detached One-, Two-, or Three- Family Dwellings. The "Residential Code of Ohio for One-, Two-, or Three- Family Dwellings" applies to structures comprised exclusively of one-, two-, or three-family dwellings (having independent exits) and their accessory structures. If no residential department is certified in a jurisdiction, construction documents for structures comprised exclusively of one-, two-, or three-family dwellings are not required to be submitted for approval. 310.1.1.1Five or fewer persons receiving care in a single family dwelling. A single family dwelling with five or fewer persons, excluding staff, who reside in a supervised environment, receive care, and are capable of self-preservation with or without limited verbal or physical assistance is not classified as Group R and is within the scope of the "Residential Code of Ohio for One-, Two-, or Three-Family Dwellings."310.1.2Group R with both shared exits and independent exits. A building with both shared exits and independent exits is classified as Group R-2, unless the shared exit is not a required exit, in which case, the building is classified as Group R-3.310.2Residential Group R-1. Except as provided in Section 310.3.3, Residential Group R-1 occupancies include buildings with sleeping units where the occupants are primarily transient in nature, including: Boarding houses (transient) with more than 10 occupants
Congregate living facilities (transient) with more than 10 occupants
Hotels (transient)
Motels (transient)
SRO (Single room occupancy) facility (transient)
Transient lodging structures
310.2.1Units not used primarily as permanent residences. R-1 occupancies typically will include sleeping units but may also include dwelling units when those units are not used primarily as permanent residences.310.2.2Transient lodging structures. Except as provided in Sections 310.3.2.1 or 310.3.2.2, a Group R-1 structure composed exclusively of a single dwelling unit with no more than twenty transient occupants may comply with the construction requirements of the "Residential Code of Ohio for One-, Two-, and Three- Family Dwellings" in lieu of the requirements of this code under the following conditions: 1. The structure is located to maintain a minimum fire separation distance of thirty feet; and2. There are no more than two stories above grade plane, not including mezzanines/lofts that meet the area limitations of Section 505 of this code; and3.The maximum travel distance to an exit directly to the exterior at the level of exit discharge is 75 feet; and4. Egress from all habitable levels is by stair, ramp or an exit directly to the exterior in compliance with the Residential Code of Ohio; and5. For a structure with eleven to twenty occupants, at least two exits are provided from all habitable levels; and6.Portable fire extinguishers are installed in accordance with Section 906 of this code; and7. Artificial light is provided that is adequate to provide an average illumination of 1 foot-candle over the area of the room at a height of thirty inches above the floor level; and8. Accessibility requirements of Chapter 11 of this code apply. Exception: If the owner provides documentation that the structure is not a place of public accommodation as defined in 28 C.F.R. 36.104;
Hotel licensure requirements of Chapter 3731 of the Revised Code may apply to the occupancy of a transient lodging structure but are outside the scope of this code.
310.2.2.1Semi-primitive transient lodging structures no greater than 400 sq. ft. in area. A Group R-1 structure that provides permanent provisions for sleeping only or sleeping with either sanitation or kitchen facilities, but not both, may comply with the applicable construction requirements of the "Residential Code of Ohio for One-, Two-, and Three- Family Dwellings" in lieu of the requirements of this code under the following conditions:1. The structure is located to maintain a minimum fire separation distance of thirty feet; and2. There is no more than one story, no basement, and no habitable loft; and3. There is no more than 400 sq. ft. in area in total; and4. There are no more than five occupants; and5. There is at least one means of egress complying with Section 311 of the Residential Code of Ohio; and6. Portable fire extinguishers are installed in accordance with Section 906 of this code; and7. Accessibility requirements of Chapter 11 of this code apply. Exception: If the owner provides documentation that the structure is not a place of public accommodation as defined in 28 C.F.R. 36.104;
Exceptions: Semi-primitive transient lodging structures are not required to comply with the following provisions of the Residential Code of Ohio:
1. Chapter 11 if the semi-primitive structure does not contain conditioned space or has a peak design rate of energy usage of less than 3.4 BTU/h·ft2 or 1.0 watt/ft2 as described in the International Energy Conservation Code.2. Section 303.6 for exterior stairway illumination if no commercial power is available310.2.2.2Primitive or semi-primitive transient lodging structures greater than 400 sq. ft. in area. A Group R-1 structure, for not more than twenty transient occupants, that is greater than 400 sq. ft. in area, provides permanent provisions for sleeping only or sleeping with either sanitation or kitchen facilities, but not both, may comply with the applicable construction requirements of the "Residential Code of Ohio for One-, Two-, and Three-Family Dwellings" in lieu of the requirements of this code under the following conditions:1. The structure is located to maintain a minimum fire separation distance of thirty feet; and2. There are no more than two stories above grade plane, not including mezzanines/lofts that meet the area limitations of Section 505 of this code; and3. The maximum travel distance to an exit directly to the exterior at the level of exit discharge is 75 feet; and4. Egress from all habitable levels is by stair, ramp or an exit directly to the exterior in compliance with the Residential Code of Ohio; and5. For a structure with eleven to twenty occupants, at least two exits are provided from all habitable levels; and6. Portable fire extinguishers are installed in accordance with Section 906 of this code; and7. Accessibility requirements of Chapter 11 of this code apply. Exception: If the owner provides documentation that the structure is not a place of public accommodation as defined in 28 C.F.R. 36.104;
Exceptions: Primitive or semi-primitive transient lodging structures greater than 400 sq. ft. in area are not required to comply with the following provisions of the Residential Code of Ohio:
1. Chapter 11 if the semi-primitive structure does not contain conditioned space or has a peak design rate of energy usage of less than 3.4 BTU/h·ft2 or 1.0 watt/ft2 as described in the International Energy Conservation Code.2. Section 303.6 for exterior stairway illumination if no commercial power is available and the structure is a single story with no basement or habitable loft.310.2.3Ten or fewer persons in a boarding house or congregate living. A boarding house or congregate living building intended for transient occupancy for ten or fewer persons, is classified as Group R-2 or Group R-3 occupancies depending on exiting arrangements.310.3Residential Group R-2. Except as provided in Sections 310.3.1 through 310.3.4, Residential Group R-2 occupancies containing sleeping units or more than three dwelling units where the occupants are primarily permanent in nature and where the units share an exit, including: Apartment houses Congregate living facilities (nontransient) with more than 16 occupants where occupants share an exit
Boarding houses (nontransient)
Convents
Dormitories
Fraternities and sororities
Monasteries
Hotels (nontransient)
Live/work units
Motels (nontransient)
SRO (Single room occupancy) facility (nontransient)
Vacation timeshare properties
310.3.1Five or fewer persons receiving care. A care facility with shared exit for five or fewer persons receiving care is classified as Group R-2.310.3.2Dwelling units in mixed occupancy buildings. This group includes residential occupancies in buildings or structures of mixed use containing one or more dwelling units where the occupants are primarily permanent in nature in structures with shared exits.310.3.3Dwelling units with a shared exit. This group includes buildings or structures containing two or three dwelling units where the occupants are primarily permanent in nature and when the dwelling units share an exit.310.3.4Sixteen or fewer persons in a boarding house or congregate living. A boarding house or congregate living in a dwelling unit with an independent exit for sixteen or fewer persons is classified as Group R-3.310.4Residential Group R-3. Except as provided herein, Residential Group R-3 occupancies where the occupants are primarily permanent in nature and not classified as Group R-1, R-2, R-4 or I, and where each dwelling unit has an independent exit including: Care facilities that provide accommodations for five or fewer persons receiving care
Congregate living facilities (nontransient) with 16 or fewer occupants per dwelling unit
Boarding houses (nontransient)
Convents
Dormitories
Fraternities and sororities
Monasteries
Congregate living facilities (transient) with 10 or fewer occupants Boarding houses (transient)
Lodging houses (transient) with five or fewer guest rooms and 10 or fewer occupants
Vacation timeshare properties
310.4.1Five or fewer persons receiving care not in a dwelling. A care facility with an independent exit for five or fewer persons receiving care is classified as Group R-3. 310.4.2Five or fewer persons receiving care within a dwelling. A Group R-3 two- or three-family dwelling used exclusively as care facilities for an aggregate of five or fewer persons receiving care but are capable of self-preservation is permitted to comply with the construction requirements of the "Residential Code of Ohio for One-, Two-, or Three-Family Dwellings." A Group R-3 one-, two- or three-family dwelling used exclusively as care facilities for an aggregate of five or fewer persons receiving care and are incapable of self-preservation is permitted to comply with the construction requirements of the "Residential Code of Ohio for One-, Two-, or Three- Family Dwellings" provided an automatic sprinkler system is installed in all of the dwelling units in accordance with Sections 903.3.1.1, 903.3.1.2, 903.3.1.3 or Section 2904 of the "Residential Code of Ohio for One-, Two-, or Three- Family Dwellings."
310.4.3Dwelling units in mixed occupancy buildings. This group includes residential occupancies in buildings or structures of mixed use containing one or more dwelling units where the occupants are primarily permanent in nature and where each dwelling unit has an independent exit.310.4.4Lodging houses. A Group R-3 owner-occupied lodging house with five or fewer guest rooms and 10 or fewer total occupants may comply with the construction requirements of the "Residential Code of Ohio for One-, Two-, or Three- Family Dwellings".310.4.5Group R-3 Alternative compliance options. The following are alternative compliance options for Group R-3 buildings within the scope of this code.310.4.5.1Multi-family alternative A. A Group R-3 building may use Chapters 2 to 11 of the "Residential Code of Ohio for One-, Two-, and Three-Family Dwellings" (RCO) in place of the requirements of this code under the following conditions and limitations:1. Chapter 1 of the OBC is applicable for code administration purposes; and2. The building is comprised exclusively of dwelling units; and3. The building is not used as a care facility; and4. The building is not more than three stories above grade plane in height; and5. Each dwelling unit in the building has an independent exit; and6. No more than one dwelling unit is allowed to be located above another dwelling unit; and7. Fire separation between units within a grouping of two units, including a unit located partially or totally above another unit, is to be designed and installed in accordance with the RCO section 302.2. Fire separation between any grouping of two units and other adjacent units is to be designed and installed in accordance with RCO sections 302.2 and 302.2.3 through 302.2.6; and8. The Ohio Home Builder Association (OHBA) Alternative Energy Code Options is not permitted to be used to demonstrate compliance with energy efficiency requirements of the RCO; and9. Except as provided by this paragraph, the editions of codes and standards listed in Chapter 35 of this code are to be used. For codes and standards not listed in Chapter 35 or for those referenced in RCO Chapter 11, RCO Chapter 44 applies.310.4.5.2Multi-family alternative B. A Group R-3 building may use the "Residential Code of Ohio for One-, Two-, and Three-Family Dwellings" (RCO) in place of the requirements of this code under the following conditions and limitations: 1. Chapter 1 of the OBC is applicable for code administration purposes; and2. The building is comprised exclusively of dwelling units; and3. The building is not used as a care facility; and4. The building is not more than three stories above grade plane in height; and5. Each dwelling unit in the building has an independent exit; and6. Each dwelling unit extends from the foundation to the roof and has a yard or public way on not less than two sides; and7. Fire separation between dwelling units is comprised of two one-hour fire-resistance-rated wall assemblies or one common wall with a two-hour fire-resistance-rated assembly rated for exposure from both sides. Fire separation between dwelling units is to be designed and installed in accordance with RCO sections 302.2.3 through 302.2.6; 7.1 If fire sprinklers are provided in accordance with NFPA 13D or RCO section 2904, the fire-resistance rating of the common wall may be reduced to one-hour;7.2 The common wall shared between dwelling units is to be constructed without plumbing or mechanical equipment, ducts or vents, other than water-filled fire sprinkler piping in the cavity of the common wall; and8.Each individual dwelling unit is served by independent building services, including but not limited to, equipment, piping; wiring, and ductwork; and9.The Ohio Home Builder Association (OHBA) Alternative Energy Code Option is permitted to be used to demonstrate compliance with the energy efficiency requirements of the RCO provided that the applicable minimum appliance efficiencies meet or exceed those in Table 310.4.5.2. TABLE 310.4.5.2 Appliance efficiency
Type of appliance | Minimum Efficiency |
Gas forced-air central furnace | 96% AFUE |
Electric central air conditioner | 14 SEER |
Electric heat pump (air-source, heating mode) | 8.8 HSPF |
Electric heat pump (air-source, cooling mode) | 14 SEER |
Gas-fired storage water heater | 0.57 EF |
Electric storage water heater | 0.95 EF |
310.4.6More than sixteen occupants in a Boarding House or Congregate Living. A boarding house or congregate living building for more than sixteen persons is classified as Group R-2.310.5Residential Group R-4. Residential Group R-4 occupancy includes buildings, structures or portions thereof for more than five but not more than 16 persons, excluding staff, who reside in a supervised residential environment and receive care. This group includes, but is not limited to, the following: Alcohol and drug centers
Assisted living facilities
Congregate care facilities
Group homes
Halfway houses
Residential board and care facilities
Social rehabilitation facilities
Where Group R-4 design criteria is not provided in this code, the construction requirements for Group R-3 apply.
310.5.1Occupancy conditions. Buildings of Group R-4 are classified as one of the occupancy conditions specified in Section 310.5.1.1 or 310.5.1.2. 310.5.1.1Condition 1. This occupancy condition includes buildings in which all persons receiving custodial care, without any assistance, are capable of responding to an emergency situation to complete building evacuation.310.5.1.2Condition 2. This occupancy condition includes buildings in which there are any persons receiving custodial care who require limited verbal or physical assistance while responding to an emergency situation to complete building evacuation.