(A) General.
(1) Scope. The provisions of this subchapter shall govern the minimum conditions and standards for the light, ventilation and space for the occupancy of a structure. All light, ventilation and space conditions shall comply with the requirements herein prescribed insofar as they are applicable.
(2) Responsibility. The owner of the structure shall provide and maintain such light and ventilation and space conditions in compliance with these requirements. A person shall not occupy as owner-occupant or let to another for occupancy or use any premises which do not comply with the following requirements of this subchapter.
(3) Alternative devices. In place of the means for natural light and ventilation herein prescribed, alternative arrangement of windows, louvers or other methods and devices that will provide the equivalent minimum performance requirements shall be permitted when complying with the Building Code.
(1994 Code, § 6-2-53)
(B) Light. All spaces or rooms shall be provided sufficient light so as not to endanger health and safety.
(1) Habitable spaces. Every habitable space shall have at least one window of approved size facing directly to the outdoors or to a court. The minimum total window area, measured between stops, for every habitable space shall be 8% of the floor area of the room except in kitchens when artificial light is provided in accordance with the provisions of the Building Code. In one-family dwelling units, rooms and spaces without openings to the outdoors may be ventilated through an adjoining room. In one-family dwelling units, the unobstructed opening to the adjoining room shall be at least 14 square feet.
(2) Common halls and stairways. Every common hall and stairway in every building, other than one and two-family dwellings, shall be adequately lighted at all times with an illumination of at least a 60-watt standard incandescent light bulb or equivalent.
(1994 Code, § 6-2-54)
(C) Ventilation.
(1) All spaces or rooms shall be provided sufficient natural or mechanical ventilation so as not to endanger health and safety. Where mechanical ventilation is provided in lieu of the natural ventilation, such mechanical ventilating systems shall be maintained in operation during the occupancy of any structure portion thereof.
(2) When part of the air provided by a mechanical ventilation system is recirculated, the portion or volume of air recirculated shall not be recirculated to a different residential space or occupancy of dissimilar use from which it is withdrawn.
(a) Toilet rooms. Every bathroom and water closet compartment shall comply with the light and ventilation requirements for habitable spaces as required by § 150.21, except that a window shall not be required in bathrooms or water closet compartments equipped with an approved mechanical ventilation system. One-family dwelling units built prior to 1978 are not required to comply with the regulation.
(b) Cooking facilities. Unless approved through the certificate of occupancy (see Zoning Code), cooking shall not be permitted in any sleeping room or dormitory unit, and a cooking facility or appliance shall not be permitted to be present in a sleeping room or dormitory unit.
(c) Clothes dryer exhaust. Clothes dryer venting systems shall be independent of all other systems and shall be vented in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.
(1994 Code, § 6-2-55)
(D) Dwelling unit limitations.
(1) Separation on units. Dwelling units shall be separate and apart from each other. Sleeping rooms shall not be used as the only means of access to other sleeping rooms or habitable spaces.
(2) Privacy. Hotel units, lodging units and dormitory units shall be designed to provide privacy, and be separate from other adjoining spaces.
(1994 Code, § 6-2-56)
(E) Space requirements.
(1) Area for sleeping purposes. Every room occupied for sleeping purposes shall have adequate floor space.
(2) Water closet accessibility. In all dwelling units other than a one-family dwelling every room used as a bedroom shall have access to at least one water closet without passing through another room used as a bedroom.
(3) Prohibited use. Kitchens, non-habitable spaces and public spaces shall not be used for sleeping purposes.
(1994 Code, § 6-2-57)