(A) Privacy. Dwelling units, 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 (2,134 mm) in any plan dimension. 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 (2,134 mm) except for the following:
(1) In one- and two-family dwellings, beams or girders spaced not less than four feet (1,219 mm) on center and projecting not more than six inches (152 mm) below the required ceiling height;
(2) Basement rooms in one- and two-family dwellings occupied exclusively for laundry, study or recreation purposes, having a ceiling height of not less than six feet eight inches (2,033 mm) with not less than six feet four inches (1,932 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, with a clear ceiling height of at least seven feet (2,134 mm) 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 (1,524 mm) or more shall be included.
(D) Bedroom requirements. Every bedroom shall comply with the following requirements:
(1) Area for sleeping. Every bedroom occupied by one person shall contain at least 70 square feet (6.5 mm) of floor area, and every bedroom occupied by more than one person shall contain at least 50 square feet (4.6 mm) of floor area for each occupant thereof.
(2) 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 except in units that contain fewer than two bedrooms.
(3) Water closet accessibility. Every bedroom shall have access to at least one water closet and one lavatory without passing through another bedroom. Every bedroom in a dwelling unit shall have access to at least one water closet and lavatory located in the same story as the bedroom or an adjacent story.
(4) Prohibited occupancy. No person shall use any kitchen, nonhabitable or public space for sleeping purposes, nor shall food be prepared or cooked in any room used for sleeping purposes, except in an efficiency apartment. In an efficiency apartment, that portion of the room designated for sleeping purposes shall not be within ten feet of that portion of the room designated for cooking purposes. The ten feet shall be calculated as the shortest straight line distance between the sleeping area and the stove. The ten feet requirement shall not be a violation when the ten feet distance is separated by a permanent divider wall of a height of at least 50% of the height of the room.
(5) Other requirements. Bedrooms shall comply with the applicable provisions of this chapter including, but not limited to, the light, ventilation, room area, ceiling height and room width requirements of this section, the plumbing facilities and water-heating facilities requirements of this chapter; the heating facilities and electrical receptacle requirements of this chapter; and the smoke alarm and emergency escape requirements of this chapter.
(E) Overcrowding. Dwelling units shall not be occupied by more occupants than permitted by the minimum area requirements of Table 43.
TABLE 43
Space | |||
1-2 occupants | 3-5 occupants | 6 or more occupants | |
Living rooma,b | No requirements | 120 | 150 |
Dining rooma,b | No requirements | 80 | 100 |
Kitchenb | 50 | 50 | 60 |
For SI: one square foot = 0.093 m2 a. See subsection (E)(2) for combined living room/dining room spaces. b. See subsection (E)(1) for limitations on determining the minimum occupancy area for sleeping purposes. | |||
(1) Sleeping area. The minimum occupancy area required by Table 43 shall not be included as a sleeping area in determining the minimum occupancy area for sleeping purposes. All sleeping areas shall comply with subsection (D).
(2) Combined spaces. Combined living room and dining room spaces shall comply with the requirements of Table 43 if the total area is equal to that required for separate rooms and if the space is located so as to function as a combination living room/dining room.
(F) Efficiency unit. Nothing in this section shall prohibit an efficiency living unit from meeting the following requirements:
(1) A unit occupied by not more than two occupants shall have a clear floor area of not less than 220 square feet (20.4 m
2
). A unit occupied by three occupants shall have a clear floor area of not less than 320 square feet (29.7 m2). These required areas shall be exclusive of the areas required by Items 2 and 3.
(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 30 inches (762 mm) in front. Light and ventilation conforming to this code shall be provided. .
(a) The unit shall be provided with a separate bathroom containing a water closet, lavatory, and bathtub or shower.
(b) The maximum number of occupants shall be three.
(G) Food preparation. 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 and refuse, including facilities for temporary storage.
(Jeff. Ord. 37-2002, adopted and effective 11-12-2002; Lou. Metro Am. Ord. No. 125-2007, approved 7-2-2007; Lou. Metro Am. Ord. No. 162-2023, approved 11-28-2023)