(a) Purpose. The purpose of this Section is to establish minimum standards for the quantity, location, and use of space in residential building units so as to preserve and promote the public health and safety. A suitable environment for safe, healthy, and desirable living can be enhanced by providing adequate space and privacy for occupants of all residential units. No person shall occupy or let to another person for occupancy any dwelling or dwelling unit for the purpose of living therein which does not comply with the requirements herein.
(b) Size of Dwellings and Dwelling Units.
(1) Detached Single-Family Dwellings
. Every detached single-family dwelling other than a mobile home shall have at least five hundred (500) square feet of floor area on the first floor level.
(2) Floor Space.
a. Every dwelling unit, except for hotels and rooming houses, shall contain a minimum of one hundred fifty (150) square feet of habitable floor area for the first occupant and a minimum of one hundred (100) additional square feet of floor area for each additional occupant.
b. The floor area of a rooming house room shall provide not less than seventy (70) square feet of floor area for one (1) occupant and fifty (50) square feet for each additional occupant.
(3) Excluded Spaces
. Floor area shall be calculated on the basis of habitable room area. Closet and hallway areas within the dwelling unit may count for no more than ten percent (10%) of the required habitable floor area. The space used as a laundry, workshop, furnace room, and common hallways shall not be included as part of the space required in Subsections (b)(l) and (2) above.
(4) Bathroom Access.
Every occupant of a dwelling unit shall have unrestricted access to a bathroom and flush toilet, and to a sink or lavatory basin, located within the dwelling unit. Such access shall not be through more than one (1) sleeping room.
(5) Ceiling Height.
At least one-half of the floor area of every habitable room shall have a ceiling height of at least seven (7) feet. The floor area of that part of any room where ceiling height is less than five (5) feet shall not be considered as part of the floor area in computing floor area of the room for determining maximum permissible occupancy thereof.
(6) Basement Use.
A basement space may only be used for a sleeping room if:
a. The floor and walls are impervious to leakage of underground and surface runoff water and excess humidity is controlled.
b. The space being utilized complies with the requirements for habitable rooms.
c. The total openable window area in each basement room is equal to at least the minimum required under this Chapter or applicable building code standard, except where there is supplied some other means affording adequate ventilation.
d. A basement-only structure shall not be used as a dwelling.