(A) Scope. The provisions of this chapter shall govern the minimum conditions and standards for light, ventilation and space for occupancy of a structure.
(B) Responsibility. The owner of the structure shall provide and maintain light, ventilation and space conditions in compliance with these requirements. A person shall not occupy as owner-occupant, or permit another person to occupy, any premises that do not comply with the requirements of this chapter.
(C) Alternative devices. In lieu of the means for natural light and ventilation herein prescribed, artificial light or mechanical ventilation complying with the state and local codes and ordinances shall be permitted. (IPMC 2006 § 401)
(D) Light.
(1) Habitable spaces. Every habitable space shall have at least one window of approved size facing directly to the outdoors or to a court. The minimum total glazed area for every habitable space shall be 8% of the floor area of such room. Wherever walls or other portions of a structure face a window of any room and such obstructions are located less than three feet from the window and extend to a level above that of the ceiling of the room, such window shall not be deemed to face directly to the outdoors nor to a court and shall not be included as contributing to the required minimum total window area for the room in compliance with state and local codes and ordinances.
Exception: where natural light for rooms or spaces without exterior glazing areas is provided through an adjoining room, the unobstructed opening to the adjoining room shall be at least 8% of the floor area of the interior room or space, but not less than 25 square feet. The exterior glazing area shall be based on the total floor area being served.
(2) Means of egress: common halls and stairways. Every common hall and stairway in residential occupancies, other than single and multi-family-dwellings, shall be lighted at all times with at least a 60-watt standard incandescent light bulb or equivalent for each 200 square feet of floor area or provided that the spacing between lights shall not be greater than 30 feet.
(3) Other spaces. All occupiable spaces shall be provided with natural or artificial light sufficient to permit the maintenance of sanitary conditions, and the safe occupancy of the space and utilization of the appliances, equipment and fixtures and in accordance with state and local codes and ordinances. (IPMC 2006 § 402)
(E) Ventilation.
(1) Occupiable spaces. All occupiable spaces shall be provided with natural or artificial ventilation to permit the maintenance of sanitary conditions, and the safe occupancy of the space and utilization of the appliances, equipment and fixtures and in accordance with state and local codes and ordinances.
(2) Bathrooms and toilet rooms. Every bathroom and toilet room shall have at least one openable window directly to the outdoors with a minimum glazed area of 8% of the total floor area. The total openable area of the window shall be a minimum of 45% of the minimum glazed window area. A window shall not be required in such spaces equipped with a mechanical ventilation system. Air exhausted by a mechanical ventilation system from a bathroom or toilet room shall discharge directly to the outdoors and shall not be re-circulated in accordance with state and local codes and ordinances.
(3) Cooking facilities. Unless approved through the certificate of occupancy, cooking shall not be permitted in any rooming unit or dormitory unit, and a cooking facility or appliance shall not be permitted to be present in the rooming unit or dormitory unit. Devices such as coffee pots and microwave ovens shall not be considered cooking appliances.
(4) Process ventilation. Where injurious, toxic, irritating or noxious fumes, gases, dusts or mists are generated, a local exhaust ventilation system shall be provided to remove the contaminating agent at the source and the air shall be vented to the exterior and not be re-circulated to any space in accordance with state and local codes and ordinances.
(5) Clothes dryer exhaust. Clothes dryer exhaust systems shall be independent of all other systems, and discharged directly to the outdoors in accordance with state and local codes and ordinances. (IPMC 2006 § 402-403)
(F) Occupancy limitations.
(1) Privacy. Dwelling units, hotel/motel units, housekeeping units, rooming units and dormitory units shall be arranged to provide privacy and be separate from other adjoining spaces.
(2) Minimum room widths. A habitable room, other than a kitchen, shall not be less than seven feet in any plan dimension. Kitchens shall have a clear passageway of not less than three feet between counter fronts and appliances or counter fronts and walls.
(3) 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.
Exceptions: rooms occupied exclusively for sleeping, study or similar purposes and having a sloped ceiling over all or part of the room, with a clear ceiling height of at least seven feet over not less than one-third of the required minimum floor area. In calculating the floor area of such rooms, only those portions of the floor area with a clear ceiling height of five feet or more shall be included.
(4) Bedroom and living room requirements. Every bedroom and living room shall comply with the requirements of state and local codes and ordinances.
(5) Room area. Every living room shall contain at least 120 square feet and every bedroom shall contain at least 70 square feet.
(6) Access from bedrooms. Bedrooms shall not constitute the only means of access to other bedrooms or habitable spaces and shall not serve as the only means of egress from other habitable spaces.
Exception: units that contain fewer than two bedrooms.
(7) Toilet room accessibility. Every bedroom shall have access to at least one toilet room without passing through another bedroom. Every bedroom in such a dwelling unit shall have access to at least one toilet room located on the same story as the bedroom or an adjacent story.
(8) Prohibited occupancy. Kitchens, living rooms, dining rooms, other public or common areas, and non-habitable spaces shall not be used for sleeping purposes. (IPMC 2006 § 404)
(Ord. G-07-09, passed 2-24-09; Am. Ord. G-8-17, passed 4-25-17)