Building Code Glossary
Egress Court: Building Code Definition
How the IBC 2009, IFC 2009 define egress court, where the wording differs, and which chapters depend on the term.
On this page
Last updated September 7, 2026 · Definitions quoted from the 2009 International Codes as transcribed in this site's building-codes collection, with the source chapter linked for each quotation. Usage counts are computed over the chapters hosted here, one copy per code. The [ICC code library](https://codes.iccsafe.org/codes) publishes the current model text and the [ICC adoption maps](https://www.iccsafe.org/advocacy/code-adoption-maps/) show which edition a jurisdiction has adopted; those sources control.
Direct answer
Egress court is a defined term in the International Building Code (IBC) 2009, in Means of Egress. The code's own words are: “A court or yard which provides access to a public way for one or more exits.” The IFC 2009 carries the same definition word for word, so the term means the same thing in each. The term is used in 4 chapters of this corpus, most often in Means of Egress (IBC 2009), Means of Egress (IFC 2009), Definitions (IBC 2009). These pages transcribe the 2009 model text; verify the definition against the edition and amendments your authority having jurisdiction has adopted. Record the jurisdiction, the adopted edition, the application date and any local amendment that rewrites the definition before you use it on a live project, because a term redefined by amendment changes every requirement that depends on it.
Content and cited inputs reviewed by Scott Barrington, Harth founder and architectural technology specialist · Published 2026-09-07 · Updated 2026-09-07.
What does this term mean?
Egress Court — IBC 2009, Means of Egress:
A court or yard which provides access to a public way for one or more exits.
What must be verified before using this guidance?
Two of the I-Codes in this corpus define Egress Court, in identical words.
| Code | Where it is defined | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| IBC 2009 | Means of Egress | A court or yard which provides access to a public way for one or more exits. |
| IFC 2009 | Means of Egress | A court or yard which provides access to a public way for one or more exits. |
Where egress court is used in the code
The term appears in 4 chapters of the 2009 I-Codes hosted here. The chapters that lean on it hardest are the ones to read next.
| Chapter | Code | Mentions |
|---|---|---|
| Means of Egress | IBC 2009 | 27 |
| Means of Egress | IFC 2009 | 27 |
| Definitions | IBC 2009 | 1 |
| Definitions | IFC 2009 | 1 |
The term in use
How the code actually writes about egress court, quoted from the 2009 text hosted here:
Where an egress court serving a building or portion thereof is less than 10 feet (3048 mm) in width, the egress court walls shall have not less than I-hour fire-resistance-rated construction for a distance of 10 feet (3048 mm) above the floor of the court.
Where an egress court exceeds the minimum required width and the width of such egress court is then reduced along the path of exit travel, the reduction in width shall be gradual.
Where an egress court serving a building or portion thereof is less than 10 feet (3048 mm) in width, the egress court walls shall have not less than I-hour fire-resistance- rated construction for a distance of 10 feet (3048 mm) above the floor of the court.
The terms egress court is built out of
The definition above leans on 2 other defined terms. Each carries its own code definition, and a local amendment to any of them changes what egress court covers:
- Public Way — IBC 2009: A street, alley or other parcel of land open to the outside air leading to a street, that has been deeded, dedicated or otherwise permanently appropriated to the public for public use and which has a clear width and height …
- Court — IBC 2009: An open, uncovered space, unobstructed to the sky, bounded on three or more sides by exterior building walls or other enclosing devices.
Egress Court: what to open, and in what order
Every row is a document this term depends on. The ICC code library and the ICC adoption maps cover the middle rows.
| Check | Where | Confirmed |
|---|---|---|
| Read the definition in the adopted IBC | Means of Egress | |
| Read the definition in the adopted IFC | Means of Egress | |
| Re-check the requirement that uses it | Means of Egress (IBC 2009) | |
| Re-check the requirement that uses it | Means of Egress (IFC 2009) | |
| Re-check the requirement that uses it | Definitions (IBC 2009) | |
| Re-check the requirement that uses it | Definitions (IFC 2009) | |
| Confirm the dependent definition | Public Way | |
| Confirm the dependent definition | Court | |
| Local amendment to any of the above | Jurisdiction's amendment list |
A research aid, not a code determination. The authority having jurisdiction decides which edition and which amendments apply.
Where can you explore related guidance?
Sources and method
Definitions quoted from the 2009 International Codes as transcribed in this site's building-codes collection, with the source chapter linked for each quotation. Usage counts are computed over the chapters hosted here, one copy per code. The ICC code library publishes the current model text and the ICC adoption maps show which edition a jurisdiction has adopted; those sources control.
Source links
Frequently asked questions
What is the code definition of egress court?
The International Building Code (IBC) 2009 defines it in Means of Egress as: “A court or yard which provides access to a public way for one or more exits.” The 2009 model text is reproduced here; the definition that binds your project is the one in the edition your jurisdiction has adopted, as amended locally.
Which parts of the code depend on egress court?
In this corpus the term is used across 4 chapters, led by Means of Egress in the IBC 2009. Those are the sections whose scope moves if the definition is amended locally, so read them together with Chapter 2 rather than on their own.
What are the requirements for an egress court in California building code?
In the 2009 I-Codes hosted here it is a defined term rather than a description. The IBC 2009 states, in Means of Egress: “A court or yard which provides access to a public way for one or more exits.” It is defined in IBC 2009, IFC 2009. It is not the same as Building, which the IBC 2009 defines separately as “Any structure used or intended for supporting or sheltering any use or occupancy.” Because it is a defined term, whatever the adopted edition says it means is what every section using it means — so check Chapter 2 of that edition and any local amendment before relying on this wording.
What does egress mean in a building?
Building is a separate defined term. The IBC 2009 defines it as: “Any structure used or intended for supporting or sheltering any use or occupancy.” That is not the same as egress court, which the IBC 2009 defines as “A court or yard which provides access to a public way for one or more exits.” — read both before applying either, and confirm the wording in the edition your jurisdiction has adopted.
What are the requirements for means of egress in the International Building Code Chapter 10?
Means OF Egress is a separate defined term. The IBC 2009 defines it as: “A continuous and unobstructed path of vertical and horizontal egress travel from any occupied portion of a building or structure to a public way A means of egress consists of three separate and distinct parts: the exit access, the exit and the exit discharge.” That is not the same as egress court, which the IBC 2009 defines as “A court or yard which provides access to a public way for one or more exits.” — read both before applying either, and confirm the wording in the edition your jurisdiction has adopted.
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