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Free reference guide: Building Code Reference
About Building Code Reference
The Korean Building Code Reference is a structured, searchable guide to Korean building regulations covering five major categories. The General Building Law section includes key Building Act articles: definitions (Art. 2), building permit procedures (Art. 11), building report for small-scale projects (Art. 14), use approval (Art. 22), landscaping requirements (Art. 40), road frontage requirements (Art. 44), and the legal definitions of Building Coverage Ratio (BCR) and Floor Area Ratio (FAR) under Articles 55 and 56.
The Building Use Classification section covers seven major categories from Type 1 and Type 2 neighborhood living facilities through cultural/assembly, sales, multi-family housing (apartments, row houses, multi-unit), business facilities (including officetel standards), and lodging facilities. The FAR & BCR section provides zoning-specific limits for residential (6 subtypes, 50-500%), commercial (4 subtypes, up to 1,500%), industrial (3 subtypes), green zones, and management areas, plus incentive programs for public contributions and green building certification.
Structural Standards entries cover the KDS 41 code system, seismic design requirements (mandatory for 2+ stories since 2017, importance grades, ground acceleration by region), reinforced concrete design (fck, fy, cover, reinforcement ratios), and wind load calculation (basic wind speeds by city, surface roughness categories). The Evacuation & Fire section includes direct staircase rules, fire compartment standards (1,000m2/200m2 per floor), fire-resistant structure ratings, refuge safety zones for supertall buildings, sprinkler installation criteria, and fire door/shutter specifications.
Key Features
- Building Act key articles: permit (Art. 11), report (Art. 14), use approval (Art. 22), landscaping (Art. 40), road frontage (Art. 44), BCR/FAR (Art. 55/56)
- Building use classification: Type 1/2 neighborhood, cultural, sales, multi-family housing, business (officetel), lodging facilities with area thresholds
- Zoning FAR/BCR tables: residential (6 zones, 50-500%), commercial (4 zones, up to 1,500%), industrial (3 zones), green, management, and agricultural zones
- FAR incentive programs: public open space (1.2x), green building certification (15%), energy efficiency, zero energy building, and public contribution bonuses
- KDS 41 structural standards: dead/live loads by occupancy, seismic design grades (I-IV), RC design (fck/fy/cover/reinforcement), wind load by city
- Fire compartment: 1,000m2 per floor (floors 1-10), 200m2 (11+), with 3x sprinkler relaxation; fire door Class A (1hr) and Class B (30min)
- Evacuation: direct staircase travel distances (30m/50m), special evacuation stairs (5+ floors), refuge safety zones (every 30 stories for supertall)
- Sprinkler installation criteria by building use, stories, and floor area with wet/dry/pre-action/deluge system types
Frequently Asked Questions
When is a building permit required vs. a building report?
A building permit (Art. 11) is required for new construction exceeding 85m2, extensions over 85m2, and use changes of 200m2+ or 3+ stories. A building report (Art. 14) suffices for extensions/reconstruction under 85m2, new construction under 100m2 (in certain zones), and major repairs under 200m2 and 3 stories. Both require architect-designed plans for buildings 100m2 and above.
What are the FAR limits for residential zones in Korea?
Exclusive Residential Type 1: 50-100% FAR / 50% BCR. Exclusive Type 2: 100-150% / 50%. General Type 1: 100-200% / 60%. General Type 2: 150-250% / 60%. General Type 3: 200-300% / 50%. Quasi-Residential: 200-500% / 70%. Actual limits are set by municipal ordinance, typically lower than the statutory maximum. Seoul sets specific limits through city planning ordinances.
When is seismic design mandatory for buildings in Korea?
Since December 2017, seismic design is mandatory for buildings with 2 or more stories or total floor area of 200m2 or more. Buildings are classified by importance: Grade 1 (hospitals, schools, fire stations, I=1.5), Grade 2 (general buildings, I=1.0), Grade 3 (agricultural/temporary, I=0.8). Design earthquake uses a 2,400-year return period with effective ground acceleration of 0.11g for Seoul and Busan.
What are the fire compartment area limits?
Floors 1-10 must be compartmentalized every 1,000m2 maximum (3,000m2 with sprinkler). Floors 11 and above require compartmentalization every 200m2 (600m2 with sprinkler). Buildings of 3+ stories must be compartmentalized per floor. Fire compartment walls must be fire-resistant (RC wall 10cm+, concrete block 19cm+) with Class A fire doors (1-hour non-insulation + 30-minute insulation).
How is building use classification determined?
Korean building law classifies uses by type and area thresholds. For example, a restaurant under 300m2 is Type 2 Neighborhood Facility, but a store under 1,000m2 is Type 1 Neighborhood while 1,000m2+ is a Sales Facility. Apartments are defined as housing 5+ stories; row houses are single buildings over 660m2 up to 4 stories; multi-unit houses are 660m2 or under at 4 stories or fewer.
What is the minimum road frontage requirement for buildings?
A building site must adjoin a road by at least 2m (Art. 44). The road must be at least 4m wide for general buildings, or 6m+ for buildings with total floor area over 2,000m2. Dead-end roads have width requirements based on length: under 10m length needs 2m width, 10-35m needs 3m, and 35m+ needs 6m width. Buildings over 2,000m2 must have at least 6m of road frontage.
When are sprinklers required in Korean buildings?
Sprinklers are mandatory for: all buildings 6+ stories, basements over 1,000m2, neighborhood/sales/transport/warehouse facilities over 1,000m2, all lodging guest rooms, medical facilities over 600m2, elderly/child facilities over 600m2, apartments 16+ stories, and logistics warehouses over 1,500m2. Wet systems are standard; dry systems for freeze-risk areas; pre-action for false-alarm-sensitive areas like server rooms.
What fire resistance ratings apply to structural elements?
For buildings 12+ stories: columns/beams require 3 hours, bearing walls 2 hours, non-bearing exterior walls 1 hour. For 4-11 stories: columns/beams 2 hours, bearing walls 2 hours. For 3 stories or less: columns/beams 1 hour, bearing walls 1 hour. Floors require 2 hours (1 hour for top floor). Fire-resistant structure is mandatory for 3+ stories, height over 13m, eave height over 9m, or 2-story buildings with total floor area over 1,000m2.