INFORMATION BULLETIN / PUBLIC - BUILDING CODE

REFERENCE NO.: LAMC 91.0507

DOCUMENT NO. P/BC 2002-038
Previously Issued As: RGA #4-72

Effective:
Revised:

8-15-72
8-26-02

MEZZANINES IN RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS

Chapter 5 of the Los Angeles Building Code, Section 91.0507, specifies the requirements and limitations
for mezzanines. This bulletin sets forth further clarifications for mezzanines in residential buildings.
A mezzanine floor in a residential building will not be considered an additional story for Building or Zoning
Code purposes provided the mezzanine complies with section 91.0507 of the Los Angeles Building Code
and the following:
1. The mezzanine floor is classified as a separate room or rooms for all Building and Zoning Code
requirements.
2. Rooms on the mezzanine floor shall meet all applicable portions of the Los Angeles Building Code
including, but not limited to, requirements for minimum ceiling height, room width, floor area, and light
and ventilation. Sleeping rooms shall meet the minimum requirements for emergency egress and
for the location of smoke detectors.
3. Any portion of the room used to determine the allowable floor area of the mezzanine floor shall have
a ceiling height of at least five feet higher than the proposed mezzanine floor level.
a. The required stairs and stair landing need not be considered as part of the mezzanine floor
area, but may be considered as part of the room in which it is located.
b. Any roofed portion of a deck, balcony or platform that is accessible from a mezzanine floor shall
be included as part of the mezzanine floor area. The area under cantilever roof projections, up
to 30" maximum, shall not be included in the mezzanine floor area.
4. Portions of windows required for light and ventilation for any habitable room on the mezzanine shall
be located entirely above the floor level of the mezzanine floor.
5. The common wall between the floor of the room in which the mezzanine is located and the edge of
the mezzanine floor above shall be entirely open, except for a maximum 36 inch high counter.
6. Portions of the mezzanine may be enclosed provided the floor area of the enclosed space does not
exceed 10% of the mezzanine floor area.
7. Enclosure of the common wall between the edge of the mezzanine floor and the ceiling of the
mezzanine is permitted provided at least two thirds of the area of the common wall is open and
unobstructed with an opening of not less than one tenth of the floor area of the mezzanine or 25
square feet, whichever is greater.

As a covered entity under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and, upon request, will provide
reasonable accommodation to ensure equal access to its programs, services and activities. For efficient handling of information internally and in the internet, conversion to this
new format of code related and administrative information bulletins including MGD and RGA that were previously issued will allow flexibility and timely distribution of information
to the public.

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P/BC 2002-038

8. A mezzanine shall be considered as a separate floor for determining the number of required exits per
Section 91.1004.2.3.2 of the Los Angeles Building Code. The area of any portion of a deck, balcony,
or platform (roofed or unroofed) that is accessible from the mezzanine floor shall be included in the
mezzanine floor area.
9. The floor area of all mezzanines shall be included in calculating the allowable floor area of the stories
in which the mezzanines are located.
10. A mezzanine floor in an accessory building shall be considered an additional story for Building
and Zoning Code purposes.

As a covered entity under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and, upon request, will provide
reasonable accommodation to ensure equal access to its programs, services and activities. For efficient handling of information internally and in the internet, conversion to this
new format of code related and administrative information bulletins including MGD and RGA that were previously issued will allow flexibility and timely distribution of information
to the public.

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