1.

2 An Overview of the Architectural

Profession
 The 2006 – 2012 Professional Regulatory Board of Architecture (PRBoA), which
started with its first member on 3 November 2006, was fully reconstituted as of 30
March 2007 in full compliance with Republic Act No. 9266 (The Architecture Act of
2004).
 The PRBoA is one of 46 Professional Regulatory Boards (PRBs) under the
Professional regulation commission (PRC)
 The PRBoA as an entity is under the administrative control and supervision of the
PRC
 Regulates the practice of architecture with PR
 active in the areas of executive action relating to the implementation and enforcement
of Republic Act No. 9266 (otherwise known as the PH “Architecture Act of 2004″)
 regulates the practice of foreign architects (FA)
 administers the Licensure Examination for Architects (LEA)
 VALID & SUBSISTING PHILIPPINE LAWS
ON:

PHYSICAL PLANNING AND LAND DEVELOPMENT

(Master Development Planning, Subdivision Planning, Site Planning, etc.)

P.D. 957 & its (subdivisions and condominiums)

2001 IRR - HLURB and related agencies
B.P. 220 & its (socialized housing)
2001 IRR - HLURB and various agencies

R.A. 8289 & its (informal settlers)

IRR - various agencies
(the practice of the regulated
profession of environmental planning)
P.D. 1308 & its
IRR PRC and the Professional Regulatory
Board of Environmental Planning
(PRBOEP)
(the practice of the regulated
profession of Architecture and site
R.A. 9266 & its planning)
IRR
PRC and the Professional Regulatory
Board of Architecture (PRBOA)
 * P.D. = Presidential Decree, B.P. = Batas Pambansa, R.A. Republic Act, IRR = Implementing Rules and
Regulations

PROJECT PHASES:

There are 3 basic phases or stages in a Design project:

Design (Preparation) -----> Construction

(Implementation) -----> Post Construction
and each phase has also laws that govern/guide them

 Preparation of ARCHITECTURAL Plans and Designs

(Space/Architectural Plans, Sections, Elevations, Ceiling and Roof Plans,
Architectural Interiors)

(The 1977 National Building Code of the Philippines/ Revised IRR NBCP)

(The Architecture Act of 2004)

R.A. 9266 & its
2004 IRR - PRC and the Professional Regulatory
Board of Architecture (PRBOA)
(The 1977 National Building Code of the
Philippines/ Revised IRR NBCP)
P.D. 1096 & its (The Minimum Site Planning,
2004 Architectural and Architectural
Interior Standards to be Satisfied in the
Architectural, Engineering and Allied
Planning and Design of Buildings)

R.A. 9514 & its (Fire Code of the Philippines)

2009 IRR - DILG thru the LGU fire marshals
(Law on Accessibility for Disabled
B.P. 344 & its Persons)
IRR
- various agencies

 Execution/ Implementation (CONSTRUCTION) of SUBDIVISION

or BUILDING Plans/ Designs
  POST-CONSTRUCTION Activities Relative to SUBDIVISION or
BUILDING Projects

(The 1977 National Building Code of the

Philippines/ NBCP)
& its 2004 Revised IRR
P.D. 1096 (the minimum inspection and building
occupancy standards to be satisfied)
- DPWH through the LGU Offices of
Building Officials (OBOs)

(The Alternative Dispute Resolution Act of

R.A. 9285
2004)

(The Construction Industry Arbitration

Law) & their Respective IRRs
(for the settlement of consulting or
E.O. 1008 construction-related disputes)
- DTI and the Construction Industry
Authority of the Philippines (CIAP) thru
the Construction Industry Arbitration
Commission (CIAC)

 Valid & Subsisting Philippine Laws on ALL PHASES OR STAGES

OF ACTIVITY Relative to Any SUBDIVISION or BUILDING Project

- The Revised Penal Code (Act 3815) & its IRR;

- The New Civil Code (RA 386) and its IRR;
- Tax Laws;
- R.A. No. 7160 (The Local Government Code of 1991);
- The Various Environmental Laws;
- R.A. No. 8981 (The PRC Modernization Act of 2000 & its IRR;
- the Pertinent Professional Regulatory Laws/ PRLs
(such as R.A. No. 9266 and its 2004 IRR)
- the applicable LGU Ordinances

1.8 PD 1096 - "The National Building

Code of the Philippines"
 PD 1096 - THE NATIONAL BUILDING CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES
RULE 1
General Provisions
PURPOSE OF THE CODE
▪ To provide a framework of minimum standards and requirements for all buildings in order to
regulate their location, design, quality of materials, construction, and use.

SCOPE OF APPLICATION
▪ The National Building Code (NBC) applies to the design, location, siting, construction,
alteration, repair, conversion, use, occupancy, maintenance, moving, demolition of and addition
to public and private buildings, except traditional dwellings and BP 220 projects.

Definition of terms
Construction
All on-site work done from site preparation, excavation, foundation, assembly of all the
components and installation of utilities and equipment of buildings/structure
Addition
Any new construction which increases the height or area of an existing building/structure
Alteration
Construction in a building/ structure involving changes in the materials used, partitioning,
location/ size of openings, structural parts, existing utilities and equipment but does not increase
the overall area thereof.

Renovation
Any physical change made on a building/ structure to increase its value, utility and/ or to
improve its aesthetic quality
Conversion
A change in the use or occupancy of a building/ structure or any portion/s thereof which has
different requirements
Repair
Remedial work done on any damaged or deteriorated portion/s of a building/structure to restore
its original condition
Demolition
The systematic dismantling or destruction of a building/ structure, in whole or in part
Ancillary building/structure
A secondary building/ structure located within the same premises, the use of which is incidental
to that of the main building/structure

RULE 2
Administration + Enforcement
THE SECRETARY
▪ Secretary of the DPWH
▪ Duties include:
▪ Policy making
▪ Memorandum circulars
▪ Prescription of fees
▪ Appointment of building officials in all municipalities
THE BUILDING OFFICIAL
▪ Tasked with the enforcement of the Code in his
jurisdiction
▪ Issues, denies, suspends and revokes permits
▪ Undertakes inspection of buildings
▪ Acts on claims
FEES
▪ The DPWH Secretary prescribes the fees
▪ The Building Official collects the fees
FEE EXEMPTIONS
▪ Public buildings
▪ Traditional family dwellings
▪ A dwelling intended for the use by one family and
constructed of native materials (bamboo, nipa, logs,
lumber), the total cost of which does not exceed
PHP15,000.
PROHIBITED ACTS
▪ Proceeding with work without a permit
▪ Unauthorized deviations from the drawings during
construction
▪ Non-compliance with work stoppage order
▪ Non-compliance with order to demolish
Use of a building without securing a Certificate of
Occupancy
▪ Change in use without the corresponding
Certification of Change of Use
▪ Failure to post Cert. of Occupancy
▪ Change in type of construction without permit
DANGEROUS BUILDINGS
▪ Structural hazard
▪ Fire hazard
▪ Unsafe electrical wiring
▪ Unsafe mechanical installation
▪ Inadequate sanitation and health facilities
▪ Architectural deficiency
OPTIONS FOR DANGEROUS BLDGS
▪ Repair
▪ Vacation
▪ Demolition

RULE 3
Permits
BUILDING PERMIT
▪ A written authorization granted by the Building Official to an applicant allowing him to
proceed with construction after plans, specifications and other pertinent documents have been
found to be in conformity with the Code
WHEN IS A PERMIT REQUIRED?
▪ Before constructing, altering, repairing, converting, moving, adding to, demolishing a building.
BUILDING PERMIT EXEMPTIONS
▪ Minor constructions
▪ Repair works
MINOR CONSTRUCTION
▪ Minor structures 6sqm. or less detached fromother buildings, for private use only.
(Example:sheds, poultry houses, greenhouses)
▪ Open terraces or patios not exceeding 20sqm.
MINOR CONSTRUCTION
▪ Window grilles
▪ Garden pools 500mm deep or shallower
▪ Garden masonry walls not exceeding 1.20m in height
REPAIRS
▪ Not involving structural members
▪ Of non-load bearing partition walls
▪ Not involving addition or alteration
▪ Of doors, windows, floors, fences and walls
▪ Of plumbing fixtures
PERMIT REQUIREMENTS
▪ Application forms
▪ If lot is owned,
▪ OCT or TCT
▪ Tax declaration
▪ Current real property tax receipt
PERMIT REQUIREMENTS
▪ If lot is NOT owned,
▪ Contract of Lease or Deed of Absolute Sale in place of
TCT
▪ Five sets of plans and specs, signed and sealed
by various professionals
ISSUANCE OF PERMITS
▪ 15 days from payment of fees
LIABILITY CLAUSE
▪ Article 1723 of the Civil Code states that the engineer or architect who drew up the plans and
specifications is liable for 15 years from completion of the building should it collapse due to
defects in the plans or the ground.
In case the building collapses due to defects in construction or the use of inferior materials, the
contractor, along with the construction supervisor, shall be liable.
EXPIRATION OF PERMITS
▪ Construction does not commence within 1 year from date of issue
▪ Construction does not resume 120 days after suspension or abandonment of work
NON-ISSUANCE, SUSPENSION,
REVOCATION
▪ Errors in plans and specs
▪ Incorrect or inaccurate data declared
▪ Non-compliance with the Code
INSPECTION + SUPERVISION
▪ The owner of the building must engage the services of a licensed architect or civil engineer to
undertake the full-time inspection and supervision of the construction.

RULE 4
Types of Construction
TYPE I
▪ Wood construction
TYPE II
▪ Wood construction with fire-resistant materials
▪ One-hour fire-resistive throughout

TYPE III
▪ Masonry and wood construction
▪ One hour fire resistive throughout
▪ Incombustible exterior walls
TYPE IV
▪ Steel, iron, concrete, or masonry construction
▪ Incombustible interiors (ceilings, walls)

TYPE V
▪ Four-hour fire resistive throughout
▪ Structural elements of steel, iron, concrete or
masonry

RULE 5
Fire Zones
FIRE ZONE
▪ An area within which only certain types of construction are allowed, based on their occupancy,
type of construction, and resistance to fire
FIRE ZONE DESIGNATIONS
1. Non-fire restricted zones
▪ All types of construction allowed
2. Fire restrictive zones
▪ Type I construction NOT allowed
3. Highly fire restrictive zones
▪ Types I, II, and III NOT allowed
BUILDINGS IN MULTIPLE FIRE ZONES
▪ Shall be considered as part of the more restrictive zone if more than 1/3 of its total floor area is
in that zone

RULE 6
Fire Resistive Requirements
FIRE RESISTIVE RATING
▪ The degree to which a material can withstand fire
▪ Usually expressed in the form of a time period rating (how long a material can
withstand being burned)
FIRE RESISTIVE STANDARDS
 RULE 7
Occupancies + Zones + Requirements
OCCUPANCY VERSUS ZONING
▪ Occupancies are assigned to buildings, whilezones are assigned to lands.
OCCUPANCIES
▪ A – Residential dwellings
▪ B – Residentials, hotels, apartments
▪ C – Education and recreation
▪ D – Institutional
▪ E – Business and mercantile
▪ F – Industrial
▪ G – Storage and hazardous
▪ H – Assembly other than Group I
▪ I – Assembly with 1,000 or more occupant load
▪ J - Accessory
ZONING
▪ R –Residential
▪ C – Commercial
▪ GI – General institutional
▪ I – Industrial
▪ UTS – Utilities, Transportation, Services
▪ SPE - Special
▪ PRE - Park structures, recreation, entertainment
▪ CUL – Cultural
▪ A – Agricultural
▪ AI – Agroindustrial
▪ PUD – Planned unit development
A: RESIDENTIAL DWELLINGS
▪ A-1: Residential building for single family
occupants
▪ A-2: Residential building for non-leasing
occupants not exceeding 10 persons
B: RESIDENTIALS, HOTELS, APARTMENTS
▪ Multiple dwelling units including boarding or lodging houses, hotels, apartment buildings,
rowhouses, convents, monasteries and other similar building each of which accommodates more
than 10 persons.
C: EDUCATION + RECREATION
▪ Buildings used for school or day-care purposes not classified in Group H or I occupancies
D: INSTITUTIONAL
▪ D-1: Institutions where personal liberties are restrained (mental hospitals, jails)
▪ D-2: Institutions for the care of non-ambulatory patients and children under kindergarten age
▪ D-3: Institutions for ambulatory patients and homes for children over kindergarten age
E : BUSINESS + MERCANTILE
▪ E-1: No work is done except exchange of parts,maintenance without open flame, welding, or
highly flammable liquids (gasoline filling station, storage garage)
▪ E-2: Wholesale and retail stores, office buildings, dining establishments
▪ E-3: Aircraft hangars and open parking garages (no repair work)
F: LIGHT INDUSTRIAL
▪ Light industrial
▪ Ice plants, power plants, pumping plants, cold
storage, factories and workshops using
incombustible and non-explosive materials
G: STORAGE + HAZARDOUS
▪ G-1: Medium industrial, storage of highly flammable materials
▪ G-2: Medium industrial, storage of flammable materials: dry cleaning plants, paint stores,
spraypainting rooms
▪ G-3: Medium industrial structures where loose combustible fibers are generated: wood working
establishments
▪ G-4: Medium industrial for repair garages and engine manufacturing
▪ G-5: Medium industrial for aircraft repair
H: ASSEMBLY FOR LESS THAN 1,000
▪ H1: Assembly buildings with stage for less than 1,000
▪ H2: Assembly buildings without stage for 300 or more
▪ H3: Assembly buildings without stage for less than 300
▪ H4: Recreational/tourism developments not
included in other H classifications (stadiums,
reviewing stands, and amusement parks)
I: ASSEMBLY FOR 1,000 OR MORE
▪ Any assembly building with a stage and an occupant load of 1,000 or more
J: ACCESSORY
▪ J1: Agricultural structures
▪ J2: Carports/garages, fences, towers and pools
▪ J3: Stages, courts, tombs, mausoleums, zoos, and
banks

Zones
R1
▪ Low-density residential zone
▪ Characterized by single-family and single detached dwellings
R2
▪ Medium-density residential zone
▪ Characterized by low-rise single-attached, duplex, or multilevel buildings for use as multiple
family dwellings
▪ Further subclassified into:
▪ Basic R2
▪ Single attached or duplex, 1-3 floors
▪ Maximum R2
▪ Low-rise multi-level building, 3-5 floors
R3
▪ High-density residential zone
▪ Characterized low-rise or medium-rise buildings for use as multiple family dwellings
▪ Includes low-rise or medium-rise condominium buildings
▪ Further subclassified into:
▪ Basic R3
▪ Rowhouses 1-3 storeys high
▪ Maximum R3
▪ Medium-rise multilevel structure 6-12 storeys high
R4
▪ Medium to high-density residential zone
▪ Characterized by low-rise townhouses or buildings for use as multiple family dwellings
▪ Refers to structures on an individual lot (“townhouse”)
R5
▪ Very high density residential zone
▪ Characterized by medium-rise to high-rise condominiums
C1
▪ Light commercial
▪ Neighborhood to community in scale
▪ Low-rise buildings (1-3 storeys)
▪ Low-intensity trade/activity
▪ Example: Small shopping centers
C2
▪ Medium commercial
▪ City or municipal in scale
▪ Medium-rise buildings (3-5 storeys)
▪ Medium to high intensity trade
▪ Example: Shopping centers
C3
▪ Metropolitan commercial
▪ Metropolitan in scale
▪ Medium to high-rise buildings (3-5 storeys)
▪ Very high intensity trade
▪ Example: Large to very large shopping malls
GI
▪ General institutional
▪ Community to national level of institutional use.
Low-rise to high-rise.
▪ Two types:
▪ Education/Recreation
▪ Medical/Government
I-1 (INDUSTRIAL)
▪ Light industrial use
▪ Low-rise but sprawling
▪ Low-intensity manufacturing
I-2 (INDUSTRIAL)
▪ Medium industrial use
▪ Low-rise but sprawling
▪ Medium-intensity manufacturing
UTS (UTILITIES, TRANSPO, SERVICES)
▪ Utilitarian, functional uses
▪ Low-rise to medium rise
▪ Low to high-intensity community support
functions
▪ Two clusters:
▪ Transport terminals, intermodals, depots
▪ Power/water generation/distribution, telcos, waste
management facilities
SPE (SPECIAL)
▪ Other vertical facilities not yet mentioned
▪ Included cemeteries and memorial parks
PRE (PARKS, RECREATION,
ENTERTAINMENT)
▪ Low-rise to medium rise
▪ Low to medium intensity recreational functions related to educational uses (parks on campus,
other recreational/assembly structures on campus)
CUL (CULTURAL)
▪ Community to national level of use or occupancy
▪ Low-rise to medium rise
(AGRICULTURAL)
▪ Low to medium rise
▪ Low to high intensity agricultural activity
▪ Includes farms, but also offices and facilities for
agricultural research and training
AI (AGROINDUSTRIAL)
▪ Low rise
▪ Low to high intensity agroindustrial activity
▪ Includes offices and facilities for agroindustrial
education and research
PUD (PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT)
▪ Land development or redevelopment schemes for
a new project which has a CDMP (Comprehensive
Development Masterplan) or equivalent
▪ Example: Bonifacio Global City
MIXED OCCUPANCIES
▪ Rule of thumb: The building adheres to the stricter
requirements.
▪ Exceptions:
▪ If it’s a one-storey building, in which case each portion
shall conform to applicable rules
▪ If the minor occupancy does not exceed 10% of the
building, in which case it is ignored

Location on
property
RIGHT OF WAY
▪ No building shall be constructed unless it adjoins or has direct access to a public space, yard,
or street on at least one of its sides.
EAVES OVER WINDOWS
▪ Eaves over required windows shall at least be 750mm from the side and rear property lines.
FIREWALLS
▪ A fireproof barrier used to prevent the spread of fire between or through buildings
▪ Why are firewalls important? Because when they are built, the building or part of the building
extends into the setbacks.
ALLOWABLE FIREWALLS
▪ R1: Not allowed
▪ However, an abutment up to 3.20m high is OK for carports provided that above 1.50m, the
abutment shall be constructed of perforated concrete blocks.

R2: One side only

▪ Maximum 80% of the length of side property line.
R3: Two configurations are allowed:
▪ Option A: Two sides
▪ Maximum 85% of each side
▪ Total should not exceed 65% of lot perimeter
▪ Two storeys high only
▪ Option B: One side + Rear
▪ 90% of side or rear (up to 100% for rear if only 4m)
▪ Total should not exceed 50% of lot perimeter
▪ Two storeys high for side, 3.20m high for rear
▪ R4: Two sides
▪ Maximum 85% of each side
▪ Total should not exceed 50% of lot perimeter
▪ Maximum height: three storeys

▪ R5: Two configurations allowed:

▪ Option A: Two sides
▪ Maximum 75% of each side
▪ Total should not exceed 50% of lot perimeter
▪ Maximum height: 8 storeys
▪ Option B: One side + Rear
▪ Maximum 65% of side and 50% of rear
▪ Total should not exceed 60% of lot perimeter
▪ Maximum height: 8 storeys for side, 14m for rear
Commercial, institutional, and industrial:
▪ Firewalls allowed on the ff. conditions:
▪ Provide sprinkler system
▪ Install fire-retardant or fire-suppression devices
▪ Maximum 70% of lot perimeter
▪ RROW setbacks are complied with
Allowable floor areas
TGFA
▪ Total gross floor area
▪ The total floor space inside the building
▪ Keyword: inside/enclosed
▪ Includes services/parking (unlike GFA)
ALLOWABLE MAX. TGFA
▪ Table VII.1, p.84 of Rule 7 & 8
▪ Format: Number of floors x footprint
▪ Depends on the ff.:
▪ Lot type
▪ Zoning
▪ Use of firewalls
Building height
BHL
▪ Building height limit
▪ Given in Table VII.2 on p.89
▪ Depends on zoning
HOW IS BUILDING HEIGHT MEASURED?
▪ From established grade line to the topmost
portion of the building
▪ Excludes allowed projections above the roof, like:
▪ Signage
▪ Masts
▪ Antenna or telecom tower
ESTABLISHING THE GRADE LINE
▪ Grade line = highest adjoining sidewalk or natural
grade line
▪ But if grade is sloping:
▪ If less than 3 meters diff., take highest grade
▪ If more than 3 meters diff., take the average
ESTABLISHING THE TOP OF
BUILDING
▪ If roof is flat, top = rooftop
▪ If roof is sloping, top = middle of roof height
HEIGHT LIMIT PROJECTIONS
▪ Towers, spires and steeples
▪ If made of combustible materials, 6.0m above BHL
▪ If made of incombustible materials, limited only by
structural design
BHL + RROW
▪ The RROW width also dictates the BHL:
▪ 6-7m RROW: 3.0 storeys or 9.0m
▪ 4-5m RROW: 2.5 storeys or 7.5m
▪ 0-3m RROW: 2.0 storeys or 6.0m
▪ Only exceptions: PUD
Parking
PARKING SLOT SIZES
▪ Given in Table VII.4 on p.100
▪ Based on occupancy and lot/floor areas
SAMPLE PARKING REQUIREMENTS
▪ Hotels
▪ If highly urbanized, 1 slot for every 3 rooms
▪ If not, 1 slot for every 7 rooms
▪ 2 tourist bus parking slots
▪ 1 loading slot for articulated truck
▪ Churches
▪ For every 50sqm. of congregation area, provide:
▪ 1 car slot
▪ 1 jeepney slot
▪ Public universities
▪ 1 car slot for every 5 classrooms
▪ 1 loading space for 2 jeepney or shuttle slots
▪ 1 school bus for every 200 students
▪ Public hospital
▪ 1 car slot for every 25 beds
▪ 1 loading space for 2 jeepney/shuttle slots
▪ 1 slot for articulated truck
▪ 1 slot for standard truck for every 5,000sqm gross
floor area
▪ Add truck maneuvering space outside RROW
FRACTIONS IN COMPUTATIONS
▪ When computing for parking slots, a fraction of
50% or higher shall be considered as one slot.
▪ In all cases, at least one slot shall be provided
unless otherwise allowed.
OFF-SITE PARKING LOTS
▪ If a multi-floor parking garage is located within a
200-meter radius of the building, 20% of the
required parking provisions may be served the
multi-floor parking garage.
▪ Reserved or leased parking slots may also serve
the parking requirements if:
▪ The slots are in a permanent parking building and not
in a vacant parking lot.
▪ The said parking building is:
▪ Not more than 100m away, if residential
▪ Not more than 200m away, if commercial
MANEUVERING SPACE
▪ Using the RROW as a maneuvering space is not
allowed
▪ To prevent this, direct access of
parking/loading/utility slots to the RROW shall be
disallowed
TRAFFIC-GENERATING BUILDINGS
▪ Example: shopping malls
▪ The distance between such buildings and major
road intersections is regulated
▪ The building ingress and the intersection shall be
at least 50m apart (measured between the two
nearest curbs)

FRONT YARDS AS PARKING

▪ Not allowed for the following:
▪ R2 Maximum
▪ R3 Maximum
▪ GI
▪ C1, C2 and C3
▪ 50% of front yard may be used as parking for R2
Basic and R3 Basic
Minimum requirements:
Group A dwellings
SANITATION
▪ At least one sanitary toilet and adequate washing
and draining facilities
FOUNDATION
▪ At least 250mm thick
▪ At least 600mm below the surface of the ground
STRUCTURAL LOADS
▪ First floor live load: 200kg/sqm
▪ Second floor live load: 150kg/sqm
▪ Wind load for roofs: 120kg/sqm (vertical)
STAIRS
▪ Minimum width: 750mm
▪ Maximum riser: 200mm
▪ Minimum tread: 200mm
▪ Note: These riser/tread dimensions do not match the general
dimensions prescribed in Rule 12.
ENTRANCE + EXIT
▪ At least one entrance, and another one for exit

Development
controls
TERMS DEFINED
▪ TLA = Total lot area
▪ PSO = Percentage of site occupancy
▪ The part of the lot occupied by the building (A.K.A.
building footprint expressed in %)
▪ TOSL = Total open space within lot
▪ The part of the lot NOT occupied by the building
▪ TLA = PSO + TOSL
▪ USA = Unpaved surface area
▪ The portion of the open space that is unpaved
▪ ISA = Impervious surface area
▪ The portion of the open space that is paved
▪ Since “open space” = TOSL,
▪ TOSL = USA + ISA
▪ MACA = PSO + ISA
▪ Hence, TLA = MACA + USA
▪ Note: MACA stands for Maximum Allowable Construction Area
▪ AMBF = Allowable max. building footprint
▪ Footprint expressed in square meters
▪ GFA = Gross floor area
▪ Total enclosed floor area (including balconies)
▪ Excludes the following enclosed areas:
▪ Parking, services, utilities
▪ Vertical penetrations in parking floors if not used for residential or
commercial purposes
▪ Balconies exceeding 10sqm, uncovered areas, fire escape
structures, etc.
▪ TGFA = Total gross floor area
▪ Includes all enclosed floor areas, no exceptions
▪ AMVB = Allowable max. volume of building
▪ OFB = Outer faces of the building
▪ FLAR = Floor and lot area ratio
BUILDING BULK
▪ A volume quantity
▪ In the simplest sense,
▪ Building bulk = Footprint x Height
▪ However, the Code prescribes several different
methods for determining this quantity
METHOD 1: AMBF PROJECTION
▪ Determine the AMBF
▪ Determine the BHL (in meters)
▪ AMBF x BHL = Building bulk
METHOD 2: FLAR
▪ FLAR : Floor to lot area ratio
▪ Total floor area / lot area
▪ For example, a FLAR designation of 1.50 means that a
lot measuring 100sqm may accommodate a building
whose total floor area is 150sqm.
▪ In a way, FLAR tells us how many lots can fit inside the
building.
METHOD 2: FLAR
▪ Building bulk = Footprint x Height
▪ To get footprint:
▪ FLAR x TLA = Total floor area
▪ Total floor area/Number of storeys = Footprint
▪ Hence, building bulk is equal to:
▪ [(FLAR x TLA)/number of storeys] x BHL
METHOD 3: AMVB
1. AMBF x BHL = initial AMVB (“prism”)
2. Superimpose the angular plane originating from
the RROW onto the “prism”
▪ Angular plane: a plane originating from the RROW that
establishes the outer limit for walls and building
projections.
3. Use the angular plane to reduce the volume of
the prism. This is the AMVB.

OTHER FORMULAS
▪ PSO = AMBF / TLA
▪ GFA = TLA x FLAR
▪ TGFA = GFA + Non-GFA
 RULE 8
Light + Ventilation
INTENT
▪ Every building shall be designed, constructed, and equipped to provide adequate
light and ventilation.
VARIABLES
▪ Setbacks
▪ Site occupancy
▪ Room sizes
▪ Ceiling heights
▪ Window sizes
▪ Courts
MEASUREMENT OF SITE
OCCUPANCY
▪ Taken at ground level and exclusive of courts,
yards, and light wells.
PSO, TOSL, USA, ISA
▪ TLA = PSO + TOSL
▪ TOSL = USA + ISA
▪ USA = minimum value
▪ ISA = maximum value
▪ These values are given in Table VII.1 on p.131
LOT TYPES
▪ The Code defines seven lot types
▪ Inside lot
▪ Interior lot
▪ Corner lot
▪ Through lot
▪ Corner through lot
▪ Corner through lot abutting 3 or more streets
▪ End lot
YARD VERSUS SETBACK
▪ Yard: the required open space left between the
outermost face of the building and the property
lines
▪ Setback: the width of the yard
COURTS
▪ Minimum dimension: 2.00m
▪ Hence, minimum area: 4.00sqm
▪ All inner courts shall be connected to a street or
yard by a passageway at least 1.20m wide
JOINING OF COURTS
▪ Minimum dimension may be reduced to 1.50m in
cluster living units with adjacent courts
▪ Minimum area per court: 3.00sqm
▪ Separation wall: 2.00m high maximum
PARKING SPACES AND CARPORTS
▪ If a carport is roofed, it will be considered part of
the building footprint and not the TOSL
FRONT YARDS AS PARKING
▪ Only allowed for single family dwelling units falling
under the following zoning classifications:
▪ Basic R-2
▪ Basic R-3
▪ R-4
FIREWALL EXTENSIONS
▪ Above the roof line: 400mm
▪ Under the eaves: 300mm
▪ From the building edges: 600mm
MINIMUM CEILING HEIGHTS
 AIR SPACE REQUIREMENTS

MINIMUM AREA OF WINDOWS

Easements
EASEMENT IS PUBLIC LAND
▪ 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
MINIMUM EASEMENTS
 RROW
VIEW CORRIDORS + SIGHTLINES
▪ The carriageway shall be free of structures,
particularly commercial signs that will impede the
view corridor and sightlines within the RROW
▪ To dignify important public/historical buildings, all
forms of commercial signs intruding into the
RROW leading to or away said structures shall be
disallowed
ACCESS TO PROPERTY
▪ No building shall be constructed unless it adjoins
or has direct access to a public space, yard, or
road on at least one side.
▪ Interior or rear lots shall have an access road with
a minimum width of 3.00m. Provide a 4.00m wide
chaflan at the intersection with the main RROW.
THREE RROW LEVELS
▪ RROW above grade
▪ RROW at grade
▪ RROW below grade
RROW ABOVE GRADE
▪ From the 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
RROW AT GRADE
▪ From natural grade line to the finished surface of
the carriageway or sidewalk
▪ Generally utilized for the movement of the general
public (motorists and pedestrians)
▪ If utilized for whatever purpose, proponent must
lease/pay the government
RROW 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

SIDEWALKS
▪ The local planning authority shall determine which
streets shall have an open sidewalk or an arcaded
sidewalk, or a combination of both
▪ For a RROW width of 9.00m or more, the
minimum sidewalk width shall be 1.20m on each
side of the RROW. For RROW less than 9.00m,
refer to Table VIII.G.3
GRADE OF SIDEWALKS
▪ As much as possible, sidewalks shall be level and of
uniform grade throughout the length of the street
▪ When the street slope does not exceed 1/12, the
sidewalk shall follow the street slope
▪ When the street slope is 1/10, the sidewalk shall be
maintained level for every 20-40 meters of run, each
level joined by a ramp of a slope not exceeding 1/6.
DRIVEWAYS ACROSS SIDEWALKS
▪ If curb height = 200mm or lower, the driveway and
the sidewalk shall be on the same plane. Provide
entry ramp of slope 1/3 to ¼ connecting the
carriageway to the sidewalk/curb.
PLANTING STRIPS
▪ Sidewalks 2.00m or more in width shall include on
its outer side a planting strip of not less than
800mm wide up to a maximum of 1/3 of the
sidewalk width
▪ The planting strip is meant to separate the curb
from the sidewalk, and must always be placed
near the curbline.
FRONT YARDS AS PARKING
▪ Not allowed for the following:
▪ R2 Maximum
▪ R3 Maximum
▪ GI
▪ C1, C2 and C3
▪ 50% of front yard may be used as parking for R2
Basic and R3 Basic
Minimum requirements:
Group A dwellings
SANITATION
▪ At least one sanitary toilet and adequate washing
and draining facilities
FOUNDATION
▪ At least 250mm thick
▪ At least 600mm below the surface of the ground
STRUCTURAL LOADS
▪ First floor live load: 200kg/sqm
▪ Second floor live load: 150kg/sqm
▪ Wind load for roofs: 120kg/sqm (vertical)
STAIRS
▪ Minimum width: 750mm
▪ Maximum riser: 200mm
▪ Minimum tread: 200mm
▪ Note: These riser/tread dimensions do not match the general
dimensions prescribed in Rule 12.
ENTRANCE + EXIT
▪ At least one entrance, and another one for exit

Development
controls
TERMS DEFINED
▪ TLA = Total lot area
▪ PSO = Percentage of site occupancy
▪ The part of the lot occupied by the building (A.K.A.
building footprint expressed in %)
▪ TOSL = Total open space within lot
▪ The part of the lot NOT occupied by the building
▪ TLA = PSO + TOSL
▪ USA = Unpaved surface area
▪ The portion of the open space that is unpaved
▪ ISA = Impervious surface area
▪ The portion of the open space that is paved
▪ Since “open space” = TOSL,
▪ TOSL = USA + ISA
▪ MACA = PSO + ISA
▪ Hence, TLA = MACA + USA
▪ Note: MACA stands for Maximum Allowable Construction Area

▪ AMBF = Allowable max. building footprint

▪ Footprint expressed in square meters
▪ GFA = Gross floor area
▪ Total enclosed floor area (including balconies)
▪ Excludes the following enclosed areas:
▪ Parking, services, utilities
▪ Vertical penetrations in parking floors if not used for residential or
commercial purposes
▪ Balconies exceeding 10sqm, uncovered areas, fire escape
structures, etc.
▪ TGFA = Total gross floor area
▪ Includes all enclosed floor areas, no exceptions
▪ AMVB = Allowable max. volume of building
▪ OFB = Outer faces of the building
▪ FLAR = Floor and lot area ratio
BUILDING BULK
▪ A volume quantity
▪ In the simplest sense,
▪ Building bulk = Footprint x Height
▪ However, the Code prescribes several different
methods for determining this quantity
METHOD 1: AMBF PROJECTION
▪ Determine the AMBF
▪ Determine the BHL (in meters)
▪ AMBF x BHL = Building bulk
METHOD 2: FLAR
▪ FLAR : Floor to lot area ratio
▪ Total floor area / lot area
▪ For example, a FLAR designation of 1.50 means that a
lot measuring 100sqm may accommodate a building
whose total floor area is 150sqm.
▪ In a way, FLAR tells us how many lots can fit inside the
building.
METHOD 2: FLAR
▪ Building bulk = Footprint x Height
▪ To get footprint:
▪ FLAR x TLA = Total floor area
▪ Total floor area/Number of storeys = Footprint
▪ Hence, building bulk is equal to:
▪ [(FLAR x TLA)/number of storeys] x BHL
METHOD 3: AMVB
1. AMBF x BHL = initial AMVB (“prism”)
2. Superimpose the angular plane originating from
the RROW onto the “prism”
▪ Angular plane: a plane originating from the RROW that
establishes the outer limit for walls and building
projections.
3. Use the angular plane to reduce the volume of
the prism. This is the AMVB.