(A) Room sizes. Every dwelling shall contain at least the minimum room size in each habitable room as required by the State Residential Building Code.
(1) Every dwelling shall contain at least 150 square feet of habitable floor area for the first occupant, at least 100 square feet of additional habitable area for each of the next three occupants and at least 75 square feet of additional habitable floor area for each additional occupant.
(2) In every dwelling unit and in every rooming unit, every room occupied for sleeping purposed by one occupant shall contain at least 70 square feet of floor area. Every room occupied for sleeping purposes by more than one occupant shall contain at least 50 square feet of floor area for each occupant 12 years of age and over and at least 35 square feet of floor area for each occupant under 12 years of age.
(B) Ceiling height. At least one-half of the floor area of every habitable room shall have a ceiling height of not less than seven feet, six inches, measured from the finished floor to finished ceiling.
(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 4½ feet shall not be considered as part of the floor area in computing the total area of the room to determine maximum permissible occupancy.
(D) Cellar. No cellar shall be used for living purposes.
(E) Basement. No basement shall be used for living purposes unless:
(1) The floors and walls are substantially watertight;
(2) The total window standards, total openable window area and ceiling height are equal to those required for habitable rooms;
(3) The required minimum window standards of every habitable room are entirely above the grade adjoining such window area, except where the window faces a stairwell, window well or access way; and
(4) Every sleeping room shall have at least one window for emergency egress, which complies with the State Residential Building Code in effect at the time of construction.
(Ord. passed 7-14-2008)