(a) Scope. The provisions of this section shall govern the minimum conditions and standards for light, ventilation and space for occupying a structure.
(b) Responsibility. The owner of a 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) Light standards.
(1) Habitable spaces. Every habitable space shall have at least one (1) window facing directly to the outdoors or to a court. The minimum total glazed area for every habitable space shall be eight (8) percent of the floor area of such room. Whenever walls or other portions of a structure face a window of any room and such obstructions are located less than three (3) feet from the window and extend to a level above that of the ceiling of the room, such windows 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. Provided, however, 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 eight (8) percent of the floor area of the interior room or space, but not less than twenty-five (25) square feet. The exterior glazing area shall be based on the total floor area being served.
(2) Common halls and stairways. Every common hall and stairway in residential occupancies, other than one- and two-family dwellings, shall be lighted at all times. In other than residential occupancies, means of egress, including exterior means of egress, and stairways shall be illuminated at floors and landings at all times that the building space served by the means of egress is occupied.
(3) Other spaces. All other 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 as determined by the building official.
(d) Ventilation standards.
(1) Habitable spaces. Every habitable space shall have at least one (1) openable window. The total openable area of the window in every room shall be equal to at least forty-five (45) percent of the minimum glazed area required in subsection 150.06(c)(1) of this Chapter. Provided, however, where rooms and spaces without openings to the outdoors are ventilated through an adjoining room, the unobstructed opening to the adjoining room shall be at least eight (8) percent of the floor area of the interior room or space, but not less than twenty-five (25) square feet. The ventilation openings to the outdoors shall be based on a total floor area being ventilated.
(2) Bathrooms and toilet rooms. Every bathroom and toilet room shall comply with the ventilation requirements for habitable spaces as required by subsection 150.06(d)(1) of this Chapter, except that 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 to the outdoors and shall not be recirculated.
(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. Provided, however, 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 of the source. Air shall be exhausted to the exterior and not be recirculated to any space.
(5) Clothes dryer exhaust. Clothes dryer exhaust systems shall be independent of all other systems and shall be exhausted in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
(e) Occupancy limitations.
(1) Minimum room widths. A habitable room, other than a kitchen, shall not be less than seven (7) feet in any plan dimension. Kitchens shall have a clear passageway of not less than three (3) feet between counter fronts and appliances or counter fronts and walls.
(2) 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 (7) feet, except:
a. In one- and two-family dwellings, beams or girders spaced not less than four (4) feet on center and projecting not more than six (6) inches below the required ceiling height of seven (7) feet are permitted.
b. In basement rooms in one- and two-family dwellings occupied exclusively for laundry, study or recreation purposes, a ceiling height of not less than six (6) feet, eight (8) inches with not less than six (6) feet, four (4) inches of clear height under beams, girders, ducts and similar obstructions shall be permitted.
c. 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 (7) feet over not less than one-third of the required minimum floor area, shall be permitted. In calculating the floor area of such rooms, only those portions of the floor area with a clear ceiling height of five (5) feet or more shall be included.
(3) Bedroom and living room requirements. Every bedroom and living room shall comply with the following requirements:
a. Room area. Every bedroom shall contain at least seventy (70) square feet.
b. Access from bedrooms. Bedrooms shall not constitute the only means of access to other bedrooms or habitable space and shall not serve as the only means of egress from other habitable spaces.
c. Water closet accessibility. Every bedroom shall have access to at least one (1) water closet and one (1) lavatory without passing through another bedroom. Every bedroom in a dwelling unit shall have access to at least one (1) water closet and lavatory located in the same story as the bedroom or an adjacent story.
d. Prohibited occupancy. Kitchens and non-habitable spaces shall not be used for sleeping purposes.
e. Other requirements. Bedrooms shall comply with the applicable provisions of this chapter including, but not limited to, light, ventilation, room area, ceiling height and room width; plumbing facilities and water-heating facilities; heating facilities and electrical receptacles requirements; smoke detector and emergency escape requirements.
(4) Overcrowding. The number of persons occupying a dwelling unit shall not create conditions that, in the opinion of the building official, endangers the life, health, safety or welfare of the occupants.
(5) Efficiency unit. Nothing in this section shall prohibit an efficiency living unit from meeting the following requirements.
a. A unit occupied by not more than two (2) occupants shall have a clear floor area of not less than two hundred twenty (220) square feet. A unit occupied by three (3) occupants shall have a clear floor area of not less than three hundred twenty (320) square feet. These required areas shall be exclusive of the areas required by subsections b. and c. below.
b. The unit shall be provided with a kitchen sink, cooking appliance and refrigeration facilities, each having a clear working space of not less than thirty (30) inches in front. Light and ventilation conforming to this section shall be provided.
c. The unit shall be provided with a separate bathroom containing a water closet, lavatory and bathtub or shower.
d. The maximum number of occupants shall be three (3).
(6) 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.
(Ord. 2015-009, passed 12-17-15)