occupancy

Occupancy refers to the act or condition of occupying a space, building, or object. It can describe the use of a space by people or things, or the state of being occupied. In everyday terms, occupancy is often discussed in relation to how many dwellings, offices, seats, or rooms are currently in use.

In architecture and building codes, occupancy is a formal classification that indicates the intended use of a building or part of a building. Codes assign categories such as assembly, business, educational, factory/industrial, hazardous, institutional, mercantile, residential, storage, and utility. These classifications influence design requirements for fire protection, structural safety, ventilation, and egress. Occupancy load, the maximum number of people expected to use the space, is used to determine required exits, stairs, and safety systems.

In real estate and property management, occupancy often refers to the occupancy rate, the percentage of units or space that are currently occupied. A high occupancy rate generally signals strong demand and stable income, while a high vacancy rate can indicate revenue loss and the need for leasing strategies, maintenance, or market adjustments.

Other uses of the term appear in science and statistics. In physics, occupancy can denote the number of particles occupying a given quantum state, described by statistics such as Fermi-Dirac or Bose-Einstein distributions. Across contexts, occupancy serves as a key measure of space use, safety planning, and resource management.