Change of occupancy.
Municipal Code of Chicago § 14R-12-1204
in effect14R-12-1204 Change of occupancy.
The provisions of Section 1204 of IEBC are adopted by reference with the following modifications:
1. Revise Section 1204.1 to read:
"1204.1 General.
Historic buildings undergoing a change of occupancy shall comply with the applicable provisions of Chapter 10, except as specifically allowed in this chapter. Where Chapter 10 requires compliance with specific requirements of Chapter 7, Chapter 8 or Chapter 9 and where those requirements are subject to the exceptions in Section 1202, the same exceptions shall apply to this section."
2. Revise Section 1204.2 to read:
"1204.2 Building area.
The allowable floor area for historic buildings undergoing a change of occupancy shall be allowed to exceed by 20 percent the allowable areas specified in Chapter 5 of the Chicago Building Code."
3. Revise Section 1204.3 to read:
"1204.3 Location on property.
Historic structures undergoing a change of occupancy to a higher-hazard category in accordance with Section 1011.6 may use alternative methods to comply with the fire-resistance and exterior opening protective requirements. Such alternatives shall comply with Section 1201.2."
4. Delete Section 1204.4.
5. Revise Section 1204.5 to read:
"1204.5 Roof covering.
Regardless of occupancy or use group, roof-covering materials not less than Class C, where tested in accordance with ASTM E108 or UL 790, shall be allowed where a fire-retardant roof covering is required."
6. Revise Section 1204.6 to read:
"1204.6 Means of egress.
Existing door openings and corridor and stairway widths less than those that would be acceptable for nonhistoric buildings under these provisions may be approved, provided that, in the opinion of the building official, there is sufficient width and height for a person to pass through the opening or traverse the exit and that the capacity of the exit system is adequate for the occupant load, or where other operational controls to limit occupancy are approved by the building official."
7. Revise Section 1204.8, excluding the exception, to read:
"1204.8 Transoms.
In walls required by these provisions to be fire-resistance rated, existing transoms may be maintained if fixed in the closed position, and fixed wired glass set in a steel frame or other approved glazing shall be installed on one side of the transom."
7.1. Revise Section 1204.10 by deleting "wood."
8. Revise Section 1204.11, including the exception, to read:
"1204.11 Stairways and guards.
Existing stairways shall comply with the requirements of these provisions. The building official may approve alternatives for stairways and guards if alternative stairways are found to be acceptable or are judged to meet the intent of these provisions. Existing stairways shall comply with Section 1203."
9. Revise Section 1204.12 to read:
"1204.12 Exit signs.
The fire code official may accept alternative exit sign locations where the location of such signs would damage the historic character of the building or structure. Such signs shall identify the exits and exit path."
10. Revise Section 1204.13 to read:
"1204.13 Interior stairway live load.
Existing historic interior stairways in buildings changed to a Group B or R occupancy shall be accepted where it can be shown that the stairway can support a 75-pounds-per-square-foot (366 kg/m2) live load."
11. Delete Section 1204.14.
(Amend Coun. J. 2-19-20, p. 14473, Art. IV, § 26)
Source: City of Chicago, Municipal Code of Chicago (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/chicago/latest/chicago_il/0-0-0-2674917Fetched: 10/24/2026