What is Group C Occupancy?#
Group C is the residential occupancy classification used by the BC Building Code for buildings where people live or sleep on a long-term basis.
Typical examples include detached houses, duplexes, townhouses, apartments and many residential condominium buildings.
Because people sleep inside these buildings, life-safety requirements become a major focus of the Building Code.
Why Group C is important#
Residential buildings present different risks than offices, warehouses or retail stores.
People may be asleep during an emergency, children and seniors may require additional protection, and evacuation may take longer.
For these reasons, the BC Building Code contains specific requirements for residential occupancies.
Typical Group C buildings#
Single-family homes.
Duplexes.
Townhouses.
Apartment buildings.
Residential strata buildings.
Many mixed-use buildings with residential floors.
How Group C affects permit review#
Once a project is classified as Group C, reviewers evaluate fire protection, exiting, smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, stair design, guards, accessibility where applicable, structural safety and energy requirements.
The occupancy classification influences which Building Code provisions apply during plan review.
Common misconception#
Many owners assume every house automatically has identical code requirements.
In reality, requirements vary depending on building size, number of dwelling units, construction type, building height and the scope of the proposed work.