(a) Generally.
(1) Scope. The provisions of this chapter shall govern the minimum conditions and standards for light, ventilation and space for occupying a structure.
(2) Responsibility of owner. The owner of the 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.
(3) Alternative devices. In lieu of the means for natural light and ventilation herein prescribed, artificial light or mechanical ventilation complying with the Building Code listed in Section 1482.20 shall be permitted.
(b) Habitable Space Defined. The term "habitable space" shall, for the purposes of this Code and as stated elsewhere in this Code, have the meaning shown herein: space in a structure for living, sleeping, eating or cooking. Bathrooms, toilet rooms, closets, halls, storage or utility spaces, and similar areas are not considered habitable spaces.
(c) Light.
(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 eight percent of the floor area of such room, except in kitchens where artificial light is provided in accordance with the provisions of the Building Code listed in Section 1482.20. Wherever walls or other portions of a structure face a window of any room and such obstructions are located less than three feet (914 mm) from the window and extend to a level above that of the ceiling of the room, such window 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.
(2) Common halls and stairways. Every common hall and stairway, other than in one and two-family dwellings, shall be lighted at all times with at least a sixty-watt standard incandescent light bulb or equivalent for each 200 square feet (nineteen m2) of floor area, provided that the spacing between lights shall not be greater than thirty feet (9,144 mm). Every exterior stairway shall be illuminated with a minimum of one footcandle (eleven lux) at floors, landings and treads.
(d) Occupancy Limitations.
(1) Privacy. Dwelling units, hotel units, rooming units and dormitory units shall be arranged to provide privacy and be separate from other adjoining spaces.
(2) Access from sleeping rooms. Sleeping rooms shall not constitute the only means of access to other sleeping rooms or habitable spaces, except for dwelling units that contain fewer than two bedrooms.
(3) Area for sleeping purposes. Every room occupied for sleeping purposes by one occupant shall contain at least seventy square feet (6.5 im2) of floor area, and every room occupied for sleeping purposes by more than one person shall contain at least fifty square feet (4.6 m2) of floor area for each occupant thereof.
(4) Water closet accessibility. Every bedroom shall have access to at least one water closet and one lavatory without passing through another bedroom.
(5) Overcrowding. Dwelling units shall not be occupied by more occupants than permitted by the minimum area requirements set forth in Table A.
TABLE A
MINIMUM AREA REQUIREMENTS
MINIMUM AREA REQUIREMENTS
Space | Minimum area in square feet (Note b) |
1-2 occupants | 3-5 occupants | 6 or more occupants | |
Living room | No requirements | 120 | 150 (Note a) |
Dining room | No requirements | 80 | 100 (Note a) |
Kitchen | 50 | 50 | 60 |
Bedrooms | Shall comply with Section 1482.15(d)(3) |
Note a. See Section 1482.15(d)(6) for combined living room/dining room spaces.
Note b. 1 square foot = 0.093 m2.
(6) Combined spaces. Combined living room and dining room spaces shall comply with the requirements of Table A 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.
(7) Prohibited occupancy. Kitchens, nonhabitable spaces and interior public areas shall not be occupied for sleeping purposes.
(8) 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); however, the following exceptions shall apply:
A. In one and two-family dwellings, beams or girders shall be spaced not less than four feet (1,219 mm) on center and project not more than six inches (152 mm) below the required ceiling height.
B. Basement rooms in one and two-family dwellings, occupied exclusively for laundry, study or recreation purposes, shall have 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.
C. Rooms occupied exclusively for sleeping, study or similar purposes and having a sloped ceiling over all or part of the room, shall have 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.
(9) 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 counterfronts and appliances or counterfronts and walls.
(10) 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. 00-03. Passed 5-15-00.)