Canadian building code question

What are the building code requirements for coworking and shared office spaces in Canada?

Coworking spaces are generally classified as business occupancy but may trigger assembly occupancy requirements for event spaces, higher occupant load assumptions for open floor plans, and additional washroom and egress provisions compared to conventional offices.

Coworking and shared office spaces present code compliance questions that differ from conventional office layouts because of higher-density open floor plans, shared amenity areas that may function as assembly spaces, event areas or presentation rooms with higher occupant loads, and shared washroom facilities serving a larger and more variable occupant population. The occupancy classification and occupant load calculation drive most of the downstream code requirements.

What to check first

  • Open coworking floor plans may have higher occupant load densities than conventional private offices.
  • Event spaces and large presentation rooms within a coworking facility may be classified as assembly occupancy.
  • Washroom count is driven by occupant load, which may be higher than expected for shared office layouts.

Jurisdiction notes

National baseline

The NBC classifies typical office space as business occupancy, but areas with assembly-type use require separate classification and may trigger additional requirements.

Occupant load

Open coworking layouts may use a different occupant load factor than conventional offices, resulting in higher calculated loads.

Tenant improvement

Converting conventional office space to coworking use may require a change-of-use assessment if the occupant load or occupancy classification changes.

Work through it in this order

  1. Classify each area of the coworking space by occupancy type based on its intended use.
  2. Calculate occupant load using appropriate factors for open desking, private offices, and event areas.
  3. Verify that exit capacity, travel distance, and exit count meet requirements for the calculated occupant load.
  4. Confirm washroom count based on the total occupant load for the facility.

Common questions

Is a coworking space classified differently from a regular office?

The desk areas are typically business occupancy, but event spaces, large meeting rooms, or cafe areas may be classified as assembly occupancy with different requirements.

How is occupant load calculated for a coworking space?

Open desking areas may use a smaller area-per-person factor than private offices, resulting in a higher calculated occupant load per floor area.

Does converting office space to coworking require a permit?

If the conversion changes the occupant load or occupancy classification, a building permit and change-of-use assessment may be required.