CJ108 Lofts in Emergency Housing — 2025 California Residential Code

Lofts used as a sleeping or living space shall meet the minimum area and dimension requirements of Sections CJ108.1.1 through CJ108.1.3. CJ108.1.1 Minimum area. Lofts shall have a floor area of not less than 35 square feet (3.25 m [2] ).

CJ108.1.2 Minimum dimensions. Lofts shall be not less than 5 feet (1524 mm) in any horizontal dimension.

CJ108.1.3 Height effect on loft area. Portions of a loft with a sloping ceiling measuring less than 3 feet (914 mm) from the finished floor to the finished ceiling shall not be considered as contributing to the minimum required area for the loft.

Exception : Under gable roofs with a minimum slope of 6:12, portions of a loft with a sloping ceiling measuring less than 16 inches (406 mm) from the finished floor to the finished ceiling shall not be considered as contributing to the minimum required area for the loft.

The access to and primary egress from lofts shall be any type described in Sections CJ108.2.1 through CJ108.2.4.

CJ108.2.1 Stairways. Stairways accessing lofts shall comply with this code or with Sections CJ108.2.1.1 through CJ108.2.1.6.

CJ108.2.1.1 Width. Stairways accessing a loft shall not be less than 17 inches (432 mm) in clear width at or above the handrail. The minimum width below the handrail shall be not less than 20 inches (508 mm).

CJ108.2.1.2 Headroom. The headroom in stairways accessing a loft shall be not less than 74 inches (1880 mm), as measured verti- cally, from a sloped line connecting the tread or landing platform nosings in the middle of their width.

CJ108.2.1.3 Treads and risers. Risers for stairs accessing a loft shall be not less than 7 inches (178 mm) and not more than 12 inches (305 mm) in height. Tread depth and riser height shall be calculated in accordance with one of the following formulas: 1. The tread depth shall be 20 inches (508 mm) minus 4/3 of the riser height, or 2. The riser height shall be 15 inches (381 mm) minus 3/4 of the tread depth.

CJ108.2.1.4 Landing platforms. The top step of stairways accessing lofts shall be constructed as a landing platform where the loft ceiling height is less than 74 inches (1880 mm). The landing platform shall be 18 inches (457 mm) to 22 inches (559 mm) in depth measured from the nosing of the landing platform to the edge of the loft, and 16 inches (406 mm) to 18 inches (457 mm) in height measured from the landing platform to the loft floor.

CJ108.2.1.5 Handrails. Handrails shall comply with Section R311.7.8.

CJ108.2.1.6 Stairway guards. Guards at open sides of stairways shall comply with Section R312.1.

CJ108.2.2 Ladders. Ladders accessing lofts shall comply with Sections CJ108.2.1 and CJ108.2.2.

CJ108.2.2.1 Size and capacity. Ladders accessing lofts shall have a rung width of not less than 12 inches (305 mm), and 10-inch (254 mm) to 14-inch (356 mm) spacing between rungs. Ladders shall be capable of supporting a 200 pound (90.7 kg) load on any rung. Rung spacing shall be uniform within 3/8 inch (9.5 mm).

CJ108.2.2.2 Incline. Ladders shall be installed at 70 to 80 degrees from horizontal.

CJ108.2.3 Alternating tread devices. Alternating tread devices are acceptable as allowed by the enforcing agency.

CJ108.2.4 Loft guards. Loft guards shall be located along the open side of lofts. Loft guards shall not be less than 36 inches (914 mm) in height or one-half of the clear height to the ceiling, whichever is less. Loft guards shall not have openings from the walking surface to the required guard height that allow passage of a sphere 4 inches (102 mm) in diameter.