No person shall own or occupy or let to another for occupancy any dwelling or dwelling unit, intended for the purpose of living therein, which does not comply with the following requirements:
(A) Minimum Space In Dwelling Units. The minimum habitable room space of any dwelling unit shall be not less than one hundred fifty (150) square feet of floor area for the first occupant and not less than an additional one hundred (100) square feet of floor area for every additional occupant.
(B) Minimum Space In Sleeping Rooms. Every room occupied for sleeping purposes by one occupant shall have a minimum floor area of at least seventy (70) square feet. Every room occupied for sleeping purposes by more than one occupant shall contain at least fifty (50) square feet of floor area for each occupant.
(C) Access To Bathrooms And Sleeping Rooms. Any dwelling or dwelling unit containing two (2) or more sleeping rooms shall have such room arrangement so as to provide access to a bathroom or water closet compartment so as to permit persons using each of such sleeping rooms to have access to a bathroom or water closet compartment without the necessity of passing through another sleeping room and shall further have such room arrangement so as to provide access to each sleeping room so as to permit persons using such sleeping room to have access thereto without the necessity of passing through another sleeping room or through any bathroom or water closet compartment. Provided however that if a dwelling, constructed in full compliance with the applicable Codes on the date of its construction, because of its structural design is noncompliant with the provisions of this subsection, such nonconformity may continue but shall not be expanded.
(D) Height Requirements. At least one-half (1/2) the floor area of every habitable room shall have a ceiling height of at least seven feet (7’). The floor area of that part of any room where the ceiling height is less than five feet (5’) shall not be considered as a part of the floor area in computing the total floor area of the room for the purpose of determining the minimum permissible occupancy thereof. Provided however that if a dwelling, constructed in full compliance with the applicable Codes on the date of its construction, because of its structural design is noncompliant with the provisions of this subsection, such nonconformity may continue but shall not be expanded.
(E) Rooms Below Grade.
(1) Basements may be used as dwelling units if they meet the light, ventilation, heating, egress and all other applicable portions of this Article.
(2) No basement space shall be deemed fit for or used as a habitable room or dwelling unit unless the floor and walls thereof are impervious to leakage of underground and surface runoff water and dampness.
(Prior Code, Art. 10A, § 10-11)