Code Library › Volume 1 › Section 9.9 — Means of Egress
PART 9 — HOUSING AND SMALL BUILDINGSUpdated for the 2024 Ontario Building Code

9.9.1.3.Occupant Load

(1) The occupant load of a floor area or part of a floor area shall be based on (a) two persons per sleeping room or sleeping area in a dwelling unit or suite, and (b) for occupancies other than as described in Clause (a), the number of persons (i) for which the area is designed, or (ii) determined from Table 3.1.17.1.

This provision includes a table — formatting is preserved from the source; refer to the official code for the authoritative layout.

← Previous9.9.1.2. Fire ProtectionNext →9.9.2.1. Types of Exits

Common questions about this part of the code

What size does a bedroom egress window need to be in Ontario?When does a house need two exits in Ontario?What are the egress requirements for basements in Ontario?What are the travel distance limits to an exit in small buildings in Ontario?

Understand this provision in seconds

BUILDAiD Assist explains any article of the building code in plain English — with exact citations, exceptions and related requirements.

Try BUILDAiD Beta

Code text is reproduced for reference from the Ontario Building Code (O. Reg. 163/24, 2024 Building Code Compendium). This page is provided for general information and is not an official copy. Always verify requirements against the official Ontario Building Code and confirm with your local building department.