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IBC 2006 Allowable Area Calculator

Jonathan Ochshorn

© 2008 Jonathan Ochshorn.

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Directions: Enter values for occupancy classification, construction type, sprinklers, and proposed number of stories, as well as building perimeter lengths and distances from building to property lines. Press "update" button.

Based on the 2006 International Building Code [IBC 2006], values are calculated for allowable areas, heights, and numbers of stories. The site plan (Fig. 1) corresponds to the default values indicated below for a proposed 4-story, unsprinklered office building (occupancy class = B) of type III-A construction. Note that distances may be measured from the building to the centerline of a "right-of-way" [R.O.W.], as is shown for the building perimeter facing east. In this case, the distance is 35 feet.

Note that building volume, floor area, and distances to property lines may also be constrained by zoning ordinances, which are not considered here.

For more information, see my online building code handout.

Building information:		Building perimeter lengths (ft.)			Distance to property line or to center-line of ROW (ft.)
Occupancy classification:	A-1 A-2 A-3 A-4 A-5 B E F-1 F-2 H-1 H-2 H-3 H-4 H-5 I-1 I-2 I-3 I-4 M R-1 R-2 R-3 R-4 S-1 S-2 U
Construction type:	I-A I-B II-A II-B III-A III-B IV V-A V-B
Sprinklered?	No Yes Yes - sub for 1-hr rating	facing north:
Proposed number of stories:
Allowable areas for proposed building:
Allowable area per floor (sq.ft.):		facing east:
Total allowable area (sq.ft.):
Maximum allowable stories, heights, and areas:
Maximum height allowed (ft.):		facing south:
Maximum number of stories allowed:
Max. allow. area per floor with max. stories (sq.ft.):
Max. total allowable area with max. stories (sq.ft.):
		facing west:
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Disclaimer: This calculator is not intended to be used for the design of actual structures, but only for schematic (preliminary) understanding of building technology and construction principals. For the design of an actual structure, a competent professional should be consulted.

First posted Aug. 18, 2008 | Last updated Sept. 9, 2008