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OBC DIVISION B · PART 9 · SECTION 9.34 — ELECTRICAL FACILITIES

Which rooms in a house require lighting outlets in Ontario?

Lighting outlets with fixtures are required in kitchens, bedrooms, living rooms, bathrooms, utility rooms, laundry areas, dining rooms, hallways, stairways, garages and at entrances. Stairs need switching arranged so lights can be controlled from both floor levels.

Code reference
The Code lists rooms and spaces in dwellings that must be provided with lighting outlets controlled by wall switches, covering habitable rooms, service spaces, storage areas, stairways, attached garages and exterior entrances. Stairways require three-way switching from head and foot where they serve finished levels, and a switched receptacle may substitute for a fixture in some rooms.
OBC Division B, Subsection 9.34.2.

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

What this means in practice

This subsection is about which spaces must be lit; how the wiring is done belongs to the Ontario Electrical Safety Code. The stair-switching requirement is the one that catches renovators: finishing a basement typically means the stair light now needs control from both top and bottom. Exterior entrances need outlets so occupants never arrive to a dark threshold, and attached garages must be lit. In living rooms and bedrooms, a wall-switched receptacle for a lamp can stand in for a ceiling fixture, a common builder choice.

Plain language

Nearly every room, hallway, stairway and entrance in a home must have a light you can switch on, and stairs need switches at both the top and bottom. No one should ever have to cross a dark staircase to find the light.

Related questions

How does the Ontario Building Code relate to the Ontario Electrical Safety Code for house wiring?

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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.