(a) Privacy. Hotel units, rooming units and dormitory units shall be arranged to provide privacy and be separate from other adjoining spaces.
(b) Minimum Room Widths. A habitable room, other than a kitchen, shall not be less than seven feet (2134 mm) in any plan dimensions. Kitchens shall have a clear passageway of not less than three feet (914 mm) between counter-fronts and appliances or counter-fronts and walls.
(c) Minimum Ceiling Heights. Habitable spaces, hallways, corridors, laundry areas, bathrooms, toilet rooms and habitable basement areas shall have a clear ceiling height of not less than seven feet (2134 mm), except as follows:
(1) In one and two-family dwellings, beams or girders spaced not less than four feet (1219 mm) on center and projecting not more than six inches (152 mm) below the required ceiling height are allowed.
(2) In basement rooms in one and two-family dwellings occupied exclusively for laundry, study or recreation purposes, the ceiling height may be not less than six feet eight inches (2033 mm) with not less than six feet four inches (1932 mm) of clear height under beams, girders, ducts and similar obstructions.
(3) Rooms occupied exclusively for sleeping, study or similar purposes and having a sloped ceiling over all or part of the room, the clear ceiling height may not be less than five feet (1524 mm).
(d) Bedroom Requirements.
(1) Area for Sleeping Purposes: Every bedroom occupied by one person shall contain at least seventy square feet (6.5 m square) of floor area, and every bedroom occupied by more than one person shall contain at least fifty square feet (4.6 m square) of floor area for each occupant thereof.
(2) Access from Bedrooms: Bedrooms shall not constitute the only means of access to other bedrooms, unless the building, dwelling or structure contains fewer than two bedrooms.
(3) Water Closet Accessibility: Every bedroom shall have access to at least one bathroom, toilet room or water closet without passing through another bedroom. Every bedroom in a dwelling unit shall have access to at least one bathroom, toilet room or water closet located in the same story as the bedroom or an adjacent story.
(4) Prohibited Occupancy: Kitchens and non-habitable spaces shall not be used for sleeping purposes.
(5) Other Requirements: Bedrooms shall comply with the applicable provisions of this Code including, but not limited to, the light, ventilation, room area, ceiling height and room width requirements of this Chapter; the plumbing facilities and water-heating facilities requirements of Chapter 1361; the heating facilities and electrical receptacle requirements of Chapter 1363; and the smoke detector and emergency escape requirements of Chapter 1365.
(e) Occupancy Limitations. Dwelling units shall not be occupied by more occupants than permitted by the minimum area requirements listed below, and subject to the requirements listed in subsections (1) and (2) hereof.
MINIMUM AREA REQUIREMENTS
Minimum Area in Square Feet
SPACE | 1-2 occupants | 3-5 occupants | 6 or more occupants |
Living Room 1,2 | No Requirements | 120 | 150 |
Dining Room 1,2 | No Requirements | 80 | 100 |
Kitchen 1 | 50 | 50 | 60 |
Bedrooms | Shall comply with subsection (d) hereof | Shall comply with subsection (d) hereof | Shall comply with subsection (d) hereof |
(1) Sleeping Area. The minimum occupancy areas required for living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens shall not be included in determining the minimum occupancy for sleeping areas. All sleeping areas shall comply with subsection (d) hereof.
(2) Combined Spaces. Combined living room and dining room spaces shall be deemed to comply with the requirements of the above table if the total area of the combined space is equal to that required for separate rooms and if the space is located so as to function as a combined living room/dining room.
(f) Efficiency Units. Efficiency living units may be allowed only if they meet all the following requirements:
(1) A unit occupied by not more than two occupants shall have a clear floor area of not less than two-hundred twenty square feet (20.4 m square). A unit occupied by three occupants shall have a clear floor area of not less than three-hundred twenty square feet (39.7 m square). These required areas shall be exclusive of the areas required by subsections (2) and (3) hereof.
(2) The unit shall be provided with a kitchen sink, cooking appliance and refrigeration facilities, each having a clear working space of not less than thirty inches (762 mm) in front.
(3) The unit shall be provided with a separate bathroom containing a toilet, washbasin, and bathtub or shower.
(4) Light and ventilation conforming to this Code shall be provided.
(5) The maximum number of occupants for any efficiency unit shall be three.
(g) Food Preparation Areas.
All spaces to be occupied for food preparation purposes shall contain suitable space and equipment to store, prepare and serve foods in a sanitary manner. There shall be adequate facilities and services for the sanitary disposal of food wastes, garbage and refuse, including facilities for temporary storage.
(Ord. 04-36. Passed 1-18-05.)