Building Permit Glossary
Egress
A code-compliant way for occupants to escape and for emergency responders to enter, commonly measured by a bedroom window or door opening.
Life safetyBasement work
Applies to
Egress windows · Basement remodeling · Bedrooms · Remodeling
Project example
Converting a basement room into a bedroom may require an egress window with a compliant clear opening, well, ladder, and drainage.
Also called
emergency escape and rescue openingmeans of egress
Where this term shows up in permit work and how it affects the project
Egress can determine whether a room may be marketed as a bedroom, which drawings are needed, and whether the project passes final inspection.
If this term appears in a form, plan comment, or local ordinance, start with the building permit guide, compare it against the zoning permit guide, then use the permit guide directory to find the right local path.