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OBC DIVISION B · PART 9 · SECTION 9.5 — DESIGN OF AREAS, SPACES AND DOORWAYS

What is the minimum hallway width in an Ontario house?

Hallways within a dwelling unit must be at least 860 mm (34 in) wide. A narrower 710 mm (28 in) hall is permitted only in limited cases, such as halls serving just a bathroom or one bedroom.

Code reference
The unobstructed width of a hallway within a dwelling unit must be not less than 860 mm. A reduced width of about 710 mm is permitted in limited situations where the hallway serves only certain spaces, provided occupants of bedrooms are not required to rely on the narrow hall as their only route.
OBC Division B, Article 9.5.3.1.

Paraphrased for clarity — open this provision in the BUILDAiD Library for the exact wording.

What this means in practice

Measure the finished, unobstructed width between wall faces, not stud to stud: with drywall on both sides, frame halls at least 900 mm centre-to-centre framing width to land safely above 860 mm finished. Radiators, ductwork bulkheads at low height, or oversized trim can technically obstruct the required width. In basement apartment conversions, existing narrow halls are a frequent compliance failure and can force layout changes. Public corridors in small multi-unit buildings have separate, wider requirements outside the dwelling unit.

Plain language

Hallways inside your home need to be at least 860 mm wide once the drywall is on, roughly the width you need to walk comfortably or carry laundry. Only a few short halls can be narrower.

Related questions

What is the minimum bedroom size in Ontario?What is the minimum ceiling height in Ontario?What are the minimum living room, dining room and kitchen sizes in Ontario?

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This page is provided for general information. Building code requirements depend on your specific project, occupancy and municipality, and code editions change. Always verify requirements against the current Ontario Building Code and confirm with your local building department.