Baltimore City Code, Building Codes, Part II, Sections 301 to 309
Sections 301 to 309.
{As in IBC}
Use and Occupancy Classification
Baltimore City Code div. Building Codes, pt. II, ch. 3
in effectBaltimore City Code, Building Codes, Part II, Section 310 Residential Group R
Section 310. Residential Group R
{Note: The Building Code’s “Residential Group R”,with its “R-1” through “R-4” classifications, are distinct from and should not be confused with the Zoning Code’s designation of Residential Zoning Districts “R-1A” through “R-10”.}
310.1 to 310.3 {As in IBC}
310.4 Residential Group R-3.
Residential occupancies in which the occupants are primarily permanent in nature, that are not classified as R-1, R-2, R-4, or I, and that comply with the Baltimore City Zoning Code, including:
1. buildings that do not contain more than two dwelling units,
2. care facilities that provide accommodations for 5 or fewer persons receiving care,
3. congregate living facilities (nontransient) with 5 or fewer occupants, including:
boarding houses (nontransient)
convents
dormitories
fraternities and sororities
monasteries,
4. congregate living facilities (transient) with 5 or fewer occupants including:
boarding houses (transient),
5. lodging houses (transient) with 5 or fewer guest rooms and 5 or fewer occupants.
310.4.1 Permitted compliance with Residential Code.
The following facilities may be constructed in accordance with the International Residential Code, as long as an automatic fire sprinkler system is installed in accordance with § 313 {“Automatic Fire Sprinkler Systems”} of that Code:
1. a care facility for 5 or fewer persons receiving care within a dwelling unit, and
2. an owner-occupied lodging house with 5 or fewer guestrooms and 5 or fewer total occupants.
310.4.2 Lodging houses. {Not Adopted}
310.5 Residential Group R-4.
Residential Group R-4 occupancy shall include buildings, structures, or portions thereof for more than 5 but not more than 16 persons, excluding staff, who reside on a 24-hour basis in a supervised residential environment and receive custodial care. Residential Group R-4 shall also include all supportive housing facilities. Buildings of Residential Group R-4 shall be classified as one of the occupancy conditions specified in § 310.5.1 or § 310.5.2 of this subsection. This group shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
1. alcohol and drug centers,
2. assisted living facilities,
3. congregate care facilities,
4. group homes,
5. halfway houses,
6. residential board and care facilities,
7. social rehabilitation facilities, and
8. supportive housing facilities.
310.5.1 Condition 1.
This occupancy condition shall include buildings in which all persons receiving custodial care, without any assistance, are capable of completing building evacuation in response to an emergency situation.
310.5.2 Condition 2.
This occupancy condition shall include buildings in which there are any persons receiving custodial care who require limited verbal or physical assistance to complete building evacuation in response to an emergency situation.
(Ord. 24-341 Section 1; Ord. 24-298 Section 1.)
Baltimore City Code, Building Codes, Part II, Section 311 Storage Group S
Section 311. Storage Group S
{As in IBC}
Baltimore City Code, Building Codes, Part II, Section 312 Utility, Miscellaneous Group U
Section 312. Utility, Miscellaneous Group U
312.1 General. {As in IBC}
312.1.1 Greenhouses.
Greenhouses:
1. unless otherwise classified as another occupancy, are classified as Use Group U; and
2. must comply with § 3112 {“Greenhouses”} of this Code.
312.1.2 Fences.
Fences:
1. unless otherwise classified as another occupance, are classified as Use Group U; and
2. must comply with § 3118 {“Fences”} of this Code.
312.2 Private garages and carports. {As in IBC}
312.3 Residential aircraft hangars. {As in IBC}
(Ord. 24-341 Section 1.)
Source: City of Baltimore Department of Legislative Reference, City of Baltimore Law Library (codes.baltimorecity.gov; Open Law Library bulk XML)URL: https://codes.baltimorecity.gov/us/md/cities/baltimore/code/building-codes/II/3Fetched: 10/25/2026