Architect Requirements for Building Types

Per 59 OS 46.21b, the following building types require an Architect or are exempt from needing an Architect to design and seal all architectural plans, based upon the building's Code Use Group. (All codes used in Oklahoma are adopted from the Oklahoma Uniform Building Code Commission. For a complete list of codes, please visit their website.)

Does my building require an Architect?

For the following code use groups: An Architect is required to design the buildings and seal the architectural plans, per 59 O.S., Section 46.21b.

Code Use Group	Building Type	Architect Required
I	Institutional	X
R-2	Residential/dormitories, fraternities, sororities, convents	X
A-1	Assembly - theaters	X
A-4	Assembly - arenas and courts	X
A-5	Assembly - bleachers and grandstands	X
	Is the building changing from one code use group to another group?	X
H	High Hazard	X

For the following categories: A basement is not to be counted as a story for the purpose of counting stories of a building.

For the following building types, certain criteria must be met in order to require an Architect to design the building. If the criteria are not met, either an unlicensed individual or an Architect can design the building. However, the local or state authorities having jurisdiction may require an Architect where the State Architectural and Licensed Interior Designers Act does not.

Code Use Group	Building Type	Criteria	Architect Required	Architect Not Required
A-2 & A-3	Assembly - food and drink consumption, worship	The code-defined occupancy is LESS than 50 AND the building height is 1-2 stories		X
A-2 & A-3	Assembly - food and drink consumption, worship	The code-defined occupancy is MORE than 50 OR the building height is MORE than 2 stories	X
E	Educational	The code-defined occupancy is LESS than 50 AND the building height is 1-2 stories		X
E	Educational	The code-defined occupancy is MORE than 50 or the building height is MORE than 2 stories	X
B	Business	The building's square footage is LESS than 100,000sq.ft. AND the building's height is 1-2 stories		X
B	Business	The building's square footage is MORE than 100,000sq.ft. OR the building's height is MORE than 2 stories	X
M	Mercantile	The building's square footage is LESS than 200,000sq.ft. AND the building's height is 1-2 stories		X
M	Mercantile	The building's square footage is MORE than 200,000sq.ft. OR the building's height is MORE than 2 stories	X
R-1	Residential - stay is not permanent - including hotels and motels	The building has LESS than 64 guest units AND the building's height is 1-2 stories		X
R-1	Residential - stay is not permanent - including hotels and motels	The building has MORE than 64 guest units OR the building's height is MORE than 2 stories	X
R-2	Residential - stay is of a permanent nature - including apartments	The building has LESS than 32 dwelling units AND the building's heigh is 1-2 stories		X
R-2	Residential - stay is of a permanent nature - including apartments	The building has MORE than 32 dwelling units OR the building's height is MORE than 2 stories	X
U, F, S, R-3, & R-4	Utility, Factory/Industrial, Storage, Residential	The building's height is 1-2 stories		X
U, F, S, R-3, & R-4	Utility, Factory/Industrial, Storage, Residential	The building's height is MORE than 2 stories.	X
	Federal, state, municipal, county, or public-trust or agency-owned building	The project cost is LESS than $158,000 and the building's height is 1-2 stories		X
	Federal, state, municipal, county, or public-trust or agency-owned building	The project cost is MORE than $158,000 OR the building's height is MORE than 2 stories	X

Examples of Common Buildings for Each Code Use Group

Ambulatory care facilities, animal hospitals, kennels, and pounds, banks, barber and beauty shops, car wash, civic administration, outpatient clinics, dry cleaning and laundries, educational occupancies for students above 12th grade, post offices, print shops, professional services offices (architects, attorneys, dentists, physicians, engineers, etc.), training and skills development not in a school (tutoring centers, gymnastics, martial arts studios, etc.)

If you have any questions about which types of buildings require an Architect that are not answered by the 59 Oklahoma State Architectural and Licensed Interior Designers Act Section 46.21b, please call the OBA office at (405) 949-2383 or email lauren.vaughan@boardofarch.ok.gov.

Last Modified on Jan 23, 2025

Architect Requirements for Building Types

Does my building require an Architect?

Examples of Common Buildings for Each Code Use Group

Common I Buildings

Common A-1 Buildings

Common A-4 Buildings

Common A-5 Buildings

Common A-2 and A-3 Buildings

Common E Buildings

Common R-1 Buildings

Common B Buildings

Common M Buildings

Common U Buildings

Common F Buildings

Common H Buildings

Common S Buildings

Common R-2 Buildings

Common R-3 and R-4 Buildings