A.
Scope. The provisions of this chapter shall govern the minimum conditions
and standards for light, ventilation and space for occupying a structure.
B.
Responsibility. 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 does not comply with the requirements
of this chapter.
C.
Alternative devices. In lieu of the means for natural light and ventilation
herein prescribed, artificial light or mechanical ventilation complying
with the International Building Code shall be permitted.
A.
Habitable spaces.
(1)
Every habitable space shall have at least one window of approved
size facing directly to the outdoors or to a court. The minimum total
glazed area for every habitable space shall be 8% of the floor area
of such room. 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)
Exception. 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 8% of the floor area
of the interior room or space, but not less than 25 square feet (2.33
m2). The exterior glazing area shall be
based on the total floor area being served.
B.
Common halls and stairways. Every common hall and stairway in residential
occupancies, other than in one- and two-family dwellings, shall be
lighted at all times with at least a 60-watt standard incandescent
light bulb for each 200 square feet (19 m2) of floor area or equivalent illumination, provided that the spacing
between lights shall not be greater than 30 feet (9,144 mm). In other
than residential occupancies, means of egress, including exterior
means of egress, stairways shall be illuminated at all times the building
space served by the means of egress is occupied with a minimum of
one footcandle (11 lux) at floors, landings and treads.
C.
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.
A.
Habitable spaces.
(1)
Every habitable space shall have at least one openable window. The total openable area of the window in every room shall be equal to at least 45% of the minimum glazed area required in § 424-24A.
(2)
Exception. 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 8% of the floor area of the
interior room or space, but not less than 25 square feet (2.33 m2). The ventilation openings to the outdoors shall
be based on a total floor area being ventilated.
B.
Bathrooms and toilet rooms. Every bathroom and toilet room shall comply with the ventilation requirements for habitable spaces as required by Subsection A, 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.
C.
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. Exceptions:
D.
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 at the
source. Air shall be exhausted to the exterior and not be recirculated
to any space.
E.
Clothes dryer exhaust. Clothes dryer exhaust systems shall be independent
of all other systems and shall be exhausted outside the structure
in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Exception: listed
and labeled condensing (ductless) clothes dryers.
A.
Privacy. Dwelling units, hotel units, housekeeping units, rooming
units and dormitory units shall be arranged to provide privacy and
be separate from other adjoining spaces.
B.
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.
C.
Minimum ceiling heights.
(1)
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).
(2)
Exceptions:
(a)
Basement room(s) in nonresidential buildings or structures containing
at least two or more dwelling units and occupied exclusively for laundry,
study or recreation purposes, having 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.
(b)
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 feet (2,134 mm) over not less than
1/3 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.
D.
Bedroom and living room requirements. Every bedroom and living room shall comply with the requirements of Subsection D(1) through (5).
(1)
Room area. Every living room shall contain at least 120 square feet
(11.2 m2) and every bedroom shall contain
at least 70 square feet (6.5 m2).
(2)
Access from bedrooms. Bedrooms shall not constitute the only means
of access to other bedrooms or habitable spaces and shall not serve
as the only means of egress from other habitable spaces. Exception:
units that contain fewer than two bedrooms.
(3)
Water closet accessibility. Every bedroom shall have access to at
least one water closet and one lavatory without passing through another
bedroom. Every bedroom in a dwelling unit shall have access to at
least one water closet and lavatory located in the same story as the
bedroom or an adjacent story.
(4)
Prohibited occupancy. Kitchens and nonhabitable spaces shall not
be used for sleeping purposes.
(5)
Other requirements. Bedrooms shall comply with the applicable provisions of this chapter, including but not limited to the light, ventilation, room area, ceiling height and room width requirements of this chapter; the plumbing facilities and water-heating facilities requirements of Article V; the heating facilities and electrical receptacle requirements of Article VI; and the firesafety requirements of Article VII.
E.
Overcrowding. The number of persons occupying a dwelling unit shall
not create conditions that, in the opinion of the code official, endanger
the life, health, safety or welfare of the occupants.
F.
Efficiency unit. Nothing in this section shall prohibit an efficiency
living unit from meeting the following requirements:
(1)
A unit occupied by not more than two occupants shall have a clear
floor area of not less than 220 square feet (20.4 m2). A unit occupied by three occupants shall have a clear floor area
of not less than 320 square feet (29.7 m2). These required areas shall be exclusive of the areas required by Subsection F(2) and (3).
(3)
The unit shall be provided with a separate bathroom containing a
water closet, lavatory and bathtub or shower.
(4)
The maximum number of occupants shall be three.
G.
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.
