The following shall be the minimum standards for space, use, and the location applicable to dwellings and dwelling units:
(A) Room sizes. The living room or principal room of every dwelling unit shall not be less than 150 square feet. The first bedroom shall be 100 square feet and all other bedrooms shall be not less than 70 square feet. For example, 5 persons would require 525 square feet of space.
(B) Ceiling height. At least one-half of the floor area of every habitable room shall have a ceiling height of not less than 7 feet and 6 inches.
(C) Floor area calculation. Floor area shall be calculated on the basis of habitable room area. However, closet area and wall area within the dwelling unit may count for not more than 10% of the required habitable floor area. The floor area of any part of any room where the ceiling height is less than 4 1/2 feet shall not be considered as part of the floor area for the purpose of determining maximum permissible occupancy.
(D) Cellar. No cellar shall be used for living purposes.
(E) Basements. No basement shall be used for living purposes unless:
(1) The floor and walls are substantially watertight.
(2) The total window area, total openable window area, and ceiling height are equal to those required for habitable rooms.
(3) The required minimum window area of every habitable room is entirely above the grade adjoining that window area, except where the window or windows face a stairwell, window well, or accessway.
(Ord. 11-9, passed 9-12-2011) Penalty, see Ch. 154