CHAPTER 1 – GENERAL PROVISIONS

Provide a framework of minimum standards & requirements for

Purpose all buildings in order to regulate their location, design, quality of
materials, construction, & use
Applies to the design, location, siting construction, alteration,
repair, conversion, use, occupancy, maintenance, moving,
Scope of application
demolition of & addition to public & private buildings, except
traditional dwellings & BP220 projects
DEFINITION OF TERMS
All on-site work done from the site preparation, excavation,
Construction foundation, assembly of all the components & installation of
utilities & equipment of buildings
Construction involving changes in the materials used,
Alteration partitioning, location/size of openings, structural parts, existing
utilities & equipment w/o increasing the area of the building
Any new construction which increases the height or area of an
Addition
existing building
Any physical chance made on a building to increase its value,
Renovation
utility & to improve its aesthetic quality
Conversion Change in the use / occupancy of a building
Remedial work done on any damaged / deteriorated portion of a
Repair
building
A secondary building located within the same premises, the use
Ancillary Building
of which is incidental to that of the main building
 Secretary of the DPWH
 Duties include:
 Policy making
The Secretary
 Memorandum circulars
 Prescription of fees
 Appointment of building officials in all municipalities
Tasked w/ the enforcement of the code in his jurisdiction
Issues, denies, suspends & revokes permits
Building Official
Undertakes inspection of buildings
Acts on claims
 DPWH secretary prescribes the fees
Fees
 Building official collects the fees
 Public buildings
 Traditional family dwellings - native materials (bamboo,
Fee Exemptions
nipa, logs, lumber); total cost does not exceed
15,000.00
 Work w/o permit
 Unauthorized deviations from the drawings during
construction
 Non-compliance w/ work stoppage order
 Non-compliance with order to demolish
Prohibited Acts
 Use of building w/o securing a certificate of occupancy
 Change in use w/o the corresponding certification of change
of use
 Failure to display the certificate of occupancy
 Change in type of construction w/o permit
 Structural hazard
 Fire hazard
 Unsafe electrical wiring
Dangerous Buildings
 Unsafe mechanical installation
 Inadequate sanitation & health facilities
 Architectural deficiency
Options for Dangerous  Repair
  Vacation
Buildings
 Demolition
1. Filipino citizen and of good moral character
2. Duly registered architect / civil engineer
Qualifications of Building 3. Member of good standing of a duly accredited organization
Official of his profession for not less than that 2 years
4. Has at least 5 years of diversified & professional experience
in building design & construction
CHAPTER 3 - PERMITS
 Written authorization from the building official to proceed w/
work issued to an applicant only once the plans & other docs
Permit are found compliant to building code
 Required: before constructing, altering, repairing,
converting, moving, adding to, or demolishing a building
 Minor constructions
a) Minor structures, 6 sqm. Or less in area, detached
from other buildings, for private use only; (shed,
poultry houses, greenhouses)
b) Open terraces / patios bot exceeding 20 sqm
c) Window grilles
d) Garden pools 500mm deep / shallower
Permit Exemptions
e) Garden masonry walls not exceeding 1.20m in height
 Minor repair works
a) Repairs not involving structural members
b) Non-load bearing partition walls
c) Not involving addition / alteration
d) Repairs of doors, windows, floors, fences, & walls
e) Repairs of plumbing fixtures
 Permit application form
 Ancillary & accessory permits
 If lot is owned:
a) OCT / TCT
b) Tax declaration
Permit Requirements
c) Current real property tax receipt
 If lot is not owned
a) Contract of lease / deed of absolute sale
 Five sets of plans & specs, signed & sealed by duly licensed
professionals
Issuance Of Permits 15 days from payment of fees
ARTICLE 1723 OF THE CIVIL CODE
a) Architect/engineer who draw up the plans & specifications
for a building is liable for damages if within 15 years from
the completion of the structure (collapse by reason of a
defect in those plans & specification, or due to the defects in
the ground)
b) Contractor – if edifice falls, within same period, defects in
the construction or the use of materials of inferior quality
Liability Clause From The
furnished by him, or due any violation of the terms of
Civil Code
contract
c) If engineer/architect supervises the construction, he shall be
solidarity liable with the contractor
d) Acceptance of the building, after completion, does not imply
waiver of any of the cause of action by reason of any defect
mentioned in the preceding paragraph
e) Action must be brought w/in ten years following the collapse
of the building
Certificate Of Occupancy  Secured before using/occupying a building
 Requirements:
 a) Certificate of completion
b) Logbook
c) As built plans & specs
d) Building inspection sheet
a) Errors in plans & specs
Non-Issuance, Suspension,
b) Incorrect / inaccurate data declared
Revocation
c) Non-compliance w/ the building code
Owner of the building must engage the services of a licensed
Inspection & Supervision architect/civil engineer to undertake the full-time inspection &
supervision of construction
CHAPTER 4 – TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION
Type 1 Wood construction
a) Wood construction w/ fire-resistant materials
Type 2
b) 1 hr fire-resistive throughout
a) Masonry & wood construction
Type 3 b) 1 hr fire resistive throughout
c) Incombustible exterior walls
a) Steel, iron, concrete, or masonry construction
b) 1 hr fire resistive throughout
Type 4
c) Incombustible exterior walls
d) Incombustible interiors (ceilings, walls)
a) Four-hour fire resistive throughout
Type 5
b) Structural elements of steel, iron, concrete/masonry
Area which only certain types of construction are allowed,
based on their occupancy, type of construction, & resistance to
fire

Designations:
Fire Zone 1. Non-fire restricted zones
- all types of construction allowed
2. Fire restrictive zones
- type 1 construction not allowed
3. Highly fire restrictive zones
- types 1,2,&3 not allowed
CHAPTER 6 – FIRE RESISTIVE REQUIREMENTS
 Degree to which a material can withstand fire
Fire resistive rating  Expressed in the form of a time period rating (how long a
material can withstand being burned)
CHAPTER 7 – CLASSIFICATION & GENERAL REQUIREMENT
No building shall be constructed unless it adjoins / has direct
Right of way access to a public space, yard, or street on at least one of its
sides
Eaves over required windows shall be at least 750mm from
Eaves over windows
the side & rear property lines
Firewalls Fireproof barriers used to prevent the spread of fire between /
through buildings
a) R1 – firewalls not allowed; abutment: 3.20m high is ok for
carports provided that above 1.50m, the abutment is
constructed of perforated concrete blocks
b) R2 – one side max only; max 80% of the length of side
property line
c) R3:
1. Two sides – max. 85% of each side; shall not exceed
65% total lot perimeter; 2 storey high only
2. One side & rear – 90% of side / rear (up to 100% for
rear if only 4m); total should not exceed 50% of lot
 perimeter; 2 storeys high for side, 3.20m high for rear
d) R4 – up to 2 sides only; max. 85% of each side; total should
not exceed 50% of lot perimeter; max. height: 3 storeys
e) R5
1) Two sides – max. 75% each side; total should not
exceed 50% of lot perimeter; max. height: 8 storeys
2) One side & rear – max. 65% of side & 50% of rear;
total should not exceed 60% of lot perimeter; max.
height: 8 storeys for side, 14m for rear
f) Commercial, institutional, & industrial
Firewalls allowed on ff conditions:
 Sprinkler system
 Fire-retardant / fire suppression devices
 Max. 70% of lot perimeter only
 RROW setbacks are complied with
Grade line – highest adjoining sidewalk / natural grade line
Sloping grade
Grade line
a) 3 meters or less difference – take highest grade
b) More than 3 meters difference – take average

 Flat roof – top=rooftop

Top of the building
 Sloping roof – top = middle of roof height
Towers, spires, & steeples
a) Combustible materials – 6.0m max above BHL
Height limit projections
b) Incombustible materials – limited only by structural
design
 RROW width also dictates the BHL:
a) 6-7m RROW: 3 storey / 9.0m
BHL & RROW b) 4-5m RROW: 2.5 storey / 7.5m
c) 0-3m RROW: 2.0 storey or 6.0m
 Only exceptions: PUD
Parking lot sizes Car
a) Perpendicular 2.50m x 5.00m
b) Parallel 2.15m x 6.00m
Jeepney 3.00m x 9.00m
Standard truck / bus 3.60m x 12.00m
Articulated truck 3.60m x 18.00m
Hotels
 Highly urbanized: 1 slot per 3 rooms
 If not: 1 slot per 7 rooms
 2 tourist bus parking slots
 1 loading slot for articulated truck
Churches
 Every 50 sqm provide: 1 car slot & 1 jeepney slot
Public universities
 1 car slor per 5 classrooms
 1 loading space for 2 jeepney / shuttle slots
 1 school bus per 200 students
Public hospital
 1 car slot per 25 beds
 1 loading space for 2 jeepneys/shuttle slots
 1 slot for articulated truck
 1 slot for standard truck every 5000sqm gfa
 Add truck maneuvering space outside RROW

Off-site parking lots

 Multi-floor parking garage – 200m radius of the building;
 20% of required parking provisions may be served the
multi-floor parking garage
 Reserved or leased parking slots may also serve the
parking requirements if:
a) Slots are in a permanent parking building & not in
a vacant parking lot
b) The said parking building is:
 Not more than 100m away, if residential
 Not more than 200m away, if commercial
 RROW – not allowed
Maneuvering space  Direct access of parking/loading/utility slots to the rrow shall
be disallowed
GROUP A DWELLINGS – MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
At least one sanitary toilet & adequate washing & draining
Sanitation
facilities
a) At least 250mm thick
Foundation
b) At least 600mm below the surface of the ground
LIVE LOAD
 First floor: 200kg/sqm
Structural load design
 Second floor: 150kg/sqm
 Wind load (roofs): 120kg/sqm (vertical)
Min. width: 750mm
Stairs Max. riser: 200mm
Min. thread: 200mm
Entrance & exit At least one entrance & another one for exit
DEVELOPMENT CONTROLS
Allowable max. building footprint
AMBF
 AMBFX = PSOMAX
Gross floor area
 Total enclosed floor area (including balcony)
 Excludes the following enclosed areas:
a) Parking, services, utilities
GFA
b) Vertical penetrations in parking floors if not used
for residential or commercial purposes
c) Balconies exceeding 10sqm, uncovered areas, fire
escape structures, etc.
Total gross floor area
TGFA
 Includes all floor areas, no exceptions
AMVB Allowable max. volume of building
OFB Outer faces of the building
FLAR Floor & lot area ratio
 Yard – required open space left between the outermost face
Yard & setback of the building & the property lines
 Setback – the width of the yard
If a carport is roofed, it will be considered part of the building
Parking spaces & carports
footprint & not the TOSL
 Above roof line: 400mm
Firewall extensions  Under the eaves: 300mm
 From the building edges: 600mm
a) Taken at the ground level & exclusive of courts, yards, &
Measurement of site
light wells
occupancy
b) Courts, yards, light wells: max. 1.20m width
 Min. horizontal dimension of court: 2.00m
Size & dimension of courts
 Inner court; passageway - min. width: 1.20m
 Artificially Naturally
Level
ventilated ventilated
Ground floor 2.70m 2.70m
Second floor 2.40m 2.70m
Minimum ceiling height Succeeding floors 2.10m 2.70m
Mezzanine 1.80m 1.80m
 Single storey
 Artificially ventilated
 Min. ceiling height: 2.40m
Minimum
Room Minimum area
dimension
Room (human
6.00 sqm 2.00m
Minimum room sizes habitation)
Kitchen 3.00 sqm 1.50m
T&B 1.20 sqm 0.90m
Room Air space/person Floor area/person
School rooms 3.00 m3 1.00 m2
Airspace requirements Workshop, factories,
12.00 m3
offices
Habitable rooms 14.00 m3
Room Min. window area Absolute min.

Minimum area of windows Habitable rooms 10% of floor area 1.00 m2

Bathrooms, laundry
5% of floor area 240 mm2
rooms, etc.
a) Ventilation/vent shafts
 Horizontal cross-sectional area not less than: 0.10m 2
 No less than 1.00m2
Vent shafts  Vent shaft: max. 600mm
b) Air duct
 Max.: 0.30 m2
 Min. dimension: 300mm
 Situated outside of private property limits
 Should be equally enjoyed by all members of the community
 The only uses allowed are those that support its public
recreational character
Easement Location of water body/way Easement
Urban areas 3.00m
Agricultural areas 20.00m
Forest areas 40.00m
 No building shall be constructed unless it adjoins or has
direct access to a public space, yard, or road on at least one
side
Access to property
 Interior / rear lots shall have an access road w/ a minimum
width of 3.00m. Provide a 4.00m wide chaflan at the
intersection with the main RROW.
Three RROW levels a) Above grade – from finished surface of the roadway all the
way up to the air; if utilized for whatever purpose, the use or
air rights must be compensated for (leased from the
government); minimum clear height: 4.27m from crown of
carriageway
 b) At grade – from natural grade line to the finished surface of
the carriageway / sidewalk; gen. utilized for the movement
of the general public ( motorists & pedestrian); if utilized for
whatever purpose, proponent must lease/pay the
government
c) Below grade – from finished surface of roadway all the way
down into the ground; if utilized for whatever purpose,
proponent must lease/pay the government
CHAPTER 9 - SANITATION
Should provide the following:
 Adequate & potable water supply
Basic sanitation provisions  Adequate plumbing installation
 Suitable wastewater treatment / disposal system
 Storm water drainage
Potable water shall be sourced from the existing municipal
Water source
waterworks system whenever possible
Shall conform to the criteria in the national standards for
Water quality
drinking water
 Sanitary sewage from buildings shall be discharged directly
into the nearest street sanitary sewer main
Waste disposal system
 If no sanitary sewerage system is available, septic tanks
may be used
Storm drainage Rainwater drainage shall not discharge into sanitary system
All plumbing installations (water supply & drainage) shall
National plumbing code
conform to the national plumbing code
CHAPTER 10 - BUILDING PROJECTION OVER PUBLIC STREETS
 National roads / public highways: footings at least
2.40 m below grade may project 300mm (maximum)
Projection Into Alleys Or beyond the property line
Streets  Public sidewalk: foundations may encroach 500mm
into the sidewalk if top of foundation is at least 600mm
below grade
Projection Of Balconies Lowest under surface of any part of the balcony shall not be
And Appendages Over less than 3.00 meters.
Streets
Arcades Arcades shall be at least 3.00m above the sidewalk grade
a) horizontal clearance: not less than 300 millimeters.
b) vertical clearance: not be less than 3.00 meters.
Canopies (Marquees)
c) not less than two-hours fire-resistive construction
(construction)
1) horizontal clearance between the awning and the curb line:
not less than 300 mm
Movable Awnings Or
2) vertical clearance between the undermost surface of the
Hoods
awning and the pavement or ground line: not less than
2.40 m
 Every corner building or fence on a public street less than
3.60m wide shall be truncated at the corner to form a
chaflan
Chaflans
 Chaflan shall be at least 4.00 wide
 If building is arcaded no chaflan is required; notwithstanding
the width of the public street/alley, less than 12.00m
CHAPTER 11 – PROTECTION OF PEDESTRIANS DURING CONST/DEMOLITION
 No person shall use or occupy a street or sidewalk for the
performance of work except in accordance with this rule
Protection of pedestrians
 No work shall be performed adjacent to a public way unless
pedestrians are protected as specified in this rule
  Shall not obstruct utility provisions (fire hydrants, fire alarm
box, manholes)
Storage in public property
 Shall not interfere w/ drainage
 Shall not interfere w/ vehicular & pedestrian traffic
Mortar mixing Mixing of mortar/concrete shall not be allowed on public streets
 When the building official authorizes a sidewalk to be closed,
a temporary walkway at least 1.20m wide shall be provided
 If the street has no sidewalk, width may be reduced to
Temporary walkways
600mm
 If RROW is 5.00m wide or less, no temporary walkways are
allowed
 Fences shall entirely enclose a construction site
 Min. height: 2.40m above curb
 When the horizontal distance between the OFB & inner edge
of the sidewalk is more than ½ the building height, only a
2.40m high fence is required
 When the horizontal distance between the OFB & the inner
Fences & canopies edge / the sidewalk is equal / less than ½ the building
height, a canopy will be also required in addition to the
fence

For canopies:
 Provide a clear unobstructed height of 2.40m above the
walkway
Maintenance & removal of
Removal of fence/canopy: 30 days after no longer required
protective device
CHAPTER 12 - GENERAL DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
 Maximum number of persons that may be allowed to occupy
a certain room, floor, or area
 Shall be determined by dividing the floor area assigned to
that use by the unit area allowed per occupant (table XII.1)
 Floor area/unit area per occupant
2 exits required if
Use Min. area/Occupant
more than
Dwellings 28 m2 10
2
Hotels, apartments 18.60 m 10
Classrooms 1.80 m2 50
Occupant load
School shops &
4.60 m2 50
laboratories
Hospitals 8.40 m2 50
Stores – basement 2.80 m2 50
2
Stores – GF 2.80 m 50
Stores – Upper 2
5.60 m 10
floors
2
Stores – Offices 9.30 m 30
Auditoriums,
0.65 m2 50
theaters, churches
 Every building shall have at least one exit
 Upper floors with occupant load of more than 10 shall have
at least 2 exits
 500-999 occupant load: 3 exits
Number of exits
 1000 or more occupant load: 4 exits
 Mezzanine floor bigger than 185 m2 or having more than
18.00m in any dimension shall have at least two stairways to
an adjacent floor
Arrangement of exits  If 2 exits are required, the 2 exits must be apart by at least
1/5 of the perimeter of the area served
 If 3 or more are required, they shall be arranged a
 reasonable distance apart
 Without sprinkler system: 45.00m max
 With sprinkler system: 60.00m max
Distance to exits
 Measured from any point in a building, measured along the
line of travel
 When serving occupant load of 50 or more, must swing in
the direction of exit travel
Exit doors  Double acting doors shall not be used as exits when serving
a tributary load of more than 100. Must be provided with a
view panel not less than 1300 cm2
Exit doors shall be openable from the inside w/o the use of a
Type of locks
key / any special knowledge / effort

a) Min. width of doorway: 0.90mm

b) Min. height of doorway: 2.00m
Size of doors
c) Shall be capable of opening at least 90 degrees
d) Max. door leaf width: 1.20m
Shall not be used as exit doors:
1) Revolving doors
Prohibited doors
2) Sliding doors
3) Overhead doors
 Min. width: 1.10m
Corridors  Doors in any position shall not reduce the width by more
than ½
 More than 50 occupant load: 1.10m
Minimum stairway widths  50 or less occupant load: 0.90m
 Less than 10 occupant load: 0.75m
Max. riser: 200mm
Riser & tread
Min. tread: 250mm
Stairway headroom Not less than 2.00m measured from the nosing
 Depth: stairway width
 If the stairway has a straight run, landing depth does not
Landings
need to exceed 1.20m
 Max. vertical distance between landings: 3.60m
 Stairways shall have handrails on each side
 If a stairway is more than 3.00m in width, at least one
intermediate handrail shall be provided
 Height of handrails: 800-900mm above the nosing of treads
Handrails
Exceptions:
 Group A/B: stairways 1.10m or less in width serving one
individual dwelling may have one handrail only
 Stairways having less than four risers need not have
handrails
 If basement stairway & a stairway to an upper storey
terminate at the same exit enclosure, a barrier shall be
Basement stairways provided to prevent persons from continuing into the
basements
 Also provide directional exit signs
 Allowed as exits as long as the required tread (250mm) is
provided at a point 300mm away from the narrow end
Winding stairways
 However, the tread must not be narrower than 150mm at
any point
May be used as exits provided that the minimum width of the
Circular stairways
run is not less than 250mm
Aisles  Aisles leading to an exit shall be provided for all portions
with installed seats, tables, etc.
 Shall be at least 0.80m wide if serving only one side, or
 1.00m if serving both sides
 This minimum width shall be measured at the point farthest
from the exit, & shall be increased by 30mm for every
meter in length towards the exit
 Max. 7 seats between wall & aisle
 Max. 14 seats between two aisles
 Max. slope: 1:8
 Line of travel: shall not be more than 45.00m
 The number of seats between aisles may be increased to 30
Aisle travel distance if:
 Exit doors are provided along each aisle at the rate of
1 pair of exit doors for every 5 rows of seats
 The back-to-back distance between seats: 1.00m
minimum
 Minimum clear width of exit doors: 1.70m
 Automatic fire extinguishing systems are required for the ff:
 Habitable storeys w/ an area of 200 m2 / more w/ an
occupant load of more than 20
Fire extinguishing systems  Dressing rooms, rehearsal rooms, workshops / factories
w/ occupant load of more than 10
 Assembly halls under group h & I w/ occupant load of
more than 500
CHAPTER 13 – ELECTRICAL & MECHANICAL
RA 7920 Electrical Engineering Law
RA 8495 Mechanical Engineering Law
2.50m Highest point of roofs
3.00m From ground
1.00m (horizontal) from windows /
porches
Clearance of service drops
5.50m From crown of the street /
sidewalk
No service drop conductors / any other wiring shall pass over
swimming pools
 Hoistway pit: min. 600mm from underside of car to bottom
of the pit
Elevators  Max.: four elevators in a single hoistway
 Residential buildings 5 storeys / higher shall have at least
one passenger elevator on 24 hr constant operation
Installation of pumping equipment directly from the public
Water pumping
water supply system is prohibited
CHAPTER 14 – PHOTO FILMS & X-RAY FILMS
 Provide automatic fire extinguishing systems for the
following:
 When unexposed films in shipping containers exceed
14.00 m3
Film storage rooms
 When shelving used for storing film exceeds 1.40 m 3 in
capacity
 No films shall be stored within 600mm of steam pipes,
chimneys, / other sources of heat
CHAPTER 15 – PREFABRICATED CONSTRUCTION
 A structural unit, the integral parts of which have been built-
up or assembled prior to incorporation in the building
Prefabricated assembly
 To determine structural adequacy they shall pass special
tests conducted by accredited material testing laboratories
CHAPTER 16 - PLASTICS
Approved plastics  Those which have a flame-spread rating of 225 or less
 Those with a smoke density not greater than that obtained
from the burning of untreated wood
 Those whose products of combustion are no more toxic than
 those of untreated wood
Allowed except for entrance doors & exit doors, which should be
Plastic doors
of materials other than plastics
CHAPTER 17 – SHEET METAL SPRAYBOOTHS
 Paint spray booths shall be constructed of not less than no.
18 US Gauge in thickness
 The area of a spray paint booth shall not exceed 150m2
Spray booth paints
 The floor of the booth, if combustible, shall be covered w/
non-combustible material
 Shall permit the free passage of exhaust air
CHAPTER 18 – GLASS & GLAZING
 Applies to all exterior glass/glazing except groups a, b, & j
not taller than three storeys
 Each glass panel shall bear the manufacturer’s label
designating the type & thickness of glass
 Glass panels w/ special performance characteristics shall
bear the manufacturer’s label indicating said characteristics
 Measures shall be taken to keep persons from walking into
fixed glass panels where the floor on both sides of the glass
General requirements are the same level (guardrails, etching, flower bins)
 Glass in large areas along shopping malls, commercial
buildings, institutional buildings, etc.
Thickness Width Length
8mm 1.10 m & below 1.10 m & below
10mm 2.25 m & below 2.25 m & below
12mm 3.00 m & below 3.00 m & below
15mm Over 3.00 m Over 3.00 m
CHAPTER 19 – USE OF COMPUTERS
 The use of computers for all or any part of building design is
General requirements permitted provided that all programs to be used are
documented
 File with the OBO a reference to a publication of the
program including a description of the algorithms are found
Program documentation
 The software name, version number & the developer & its
address shall be provided as part of documentation
CHAPER 20 - SIGNS
 No sign shall be erected in such a manner as to confuse or
obstruct the view / interpretation of any official traffic sign /
Signs device
 Signs in any foreign language shall have a translation in
English / the local dialect
No signs shall be installed on rooftops of buildings of wooden
structures / of buildings w/ wooden roof framing
Roof signs
Provide grounding of metallic parts of roof sign exposed to
lightning
Shall be located w/in the property line & under no
Ground signs
circumstances shall occupy the RROW
a) ON NON-ARCADED RROW – max. 1.20m
b) ON ARCADED RROW – max. 0.60m
c) BUILDINGS ABUTTING RROW W/O SIDEWALKS – max.
0.30m
Projecting signs d) MINIMUM VERTICAL CLEARANCE
 NON-ARCADED RROW: 3.00m from road surface to
lowest part of signs
 ARCADED RROW: 5.00m from road surface to lowest
part of signs