<p>Recent seismic events in Turkey, as well as in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, have underscored the region’s vulnerability to earthquakes and the need for comprehensive seismic risk assessments. Determining seismic risk requires the integration of three key components: seismic hazard data, structural vulnerability assessments, and population exposure analysis. However, accurately conducting structural vulnerability assessments depends on the identification of building typologies and the development of a corresponding database. This study addresses the lack of a standardized building typology for residential structures in BiH, a critical component for accurate seismic vulnerability evaluations. A key contribution of this study is the development of a residential building classification system, considering historical construction practices, regulatory frameworks and standards, and regional characteristics. Additionally, thermal imaging technology was utilized to validate construction systems, improving the accuracy of structural assessments. The findings emphasize the importance of aligning local typologies with broader regional frameworks while addressing BiH’s unique architectural landscape. The study contributes to national disaster risk management efforts by proposing a standardized exposure model aligned with European guidelines. Future research should expand the building typology database to include commercial and public structures, further enhancing seismic risk mitigation strategies.</p>