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 do not comply with the requirements of
this chapter.
A.
HABITABLE SPACE
OPENABLE AREA
VENTILATION
General. The following words and terms shall, for the purposes of
this chapter and as stated elsewhere in this chapter, have the meanings
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.
That part of a window or door which is available for unobstructed
ventilation and which opens directly to the outdoors.
The natural or mechanical process of supplying conditioned
or unconditioned air to, or removing such air from, any space.
A.
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 such room, except in kitchens where artificial light is provided in accordance with the provisions of the building code listed in Chapter 88, Construction Codes, Uniform. 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.
B.
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 60-watt standard incandescent light bulb or equivalent
for each 200 square feet (19 m2) of floor
area, provided that the spacing between lights shall not be greater
than 30 feet (9144 mm). Every exterior stairway shall be illuminated
with a minimum of one footcandle (111 ux) 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. 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 § 133-23A.
B.
Bathrooms and toilet rooms. Every bathroom and toilet room shall comply with the ventilation requirements for habitable spaces as required by § 133-24A, except that a window shall not be required in spaces equipped with a mechanical ventilation system that complies with the following:
(1)
Air exhausted by a mechanical ventilation system from a bathroom
within a dwelling unit shall be exhausted to the exterior and shall
not be recirculated to any space, including the space from which such
air is withdrawn.
(2)
Air exhausted by a mechanical ventilation system from all other bathrooms
or toilet rooms shall be exhausted to the exterior without recirculation
to any space, or not more than 85% of the exhaust air shall be recirculated
where the system is provided with effective absorption and filtering
equipment.
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 a rooming unit or dormitory unit.
(1)
Exception. Where specifically approved in writing by the Code Official.
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 venting systems shall be independent
of all other systems and shall be vented in accordance with the manufacturer's
instructions.
A.
Privacy. Dwelling units, hotel units, rooming units and dormitory
units shall be arranged to provide privacy and be separate from other
adjoining spaces.
B.
Access from sleeping rooms. Sleeping rooms shall not constitute the
only means of access to other sleeping rooms or habitable spaces.
(1)
Exception. Dwelling units that contain fewer than two bedrooms.
C.
Area for sleeping purposes. Every room occupied for sleeping purposes
by one occupant shall contain at least 70 square feet (6.5 m2) of floor area, and every room occupied for sleeping
purposes by more than one person shall contain at least 50 square
feet (4.6 m2) of floor area for each occupant
thereof.
D.
Water closet accessibility. Every bedroom shall have access to at
least one water closet and one lavatory without passing through another
bedroom.
E.
Overcrowding. Dwelling units shall not be occupied by more occupants
than permitted by the minimum area requirements of Table 1.
|
Table 1
Minimum Area Requirements
| |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Minimum Area in Square Feetb
| |||
|
Space
|
1-2 Occupants
|
3-5 Occupants
|
6 or More
|
|
Living rooma
|
No requirements
|
120
|
150
|
|
Dining rooma
|
No requirements
|
80
|
100
|
|
Kitchen
|
50
|
50
|
60
|
|
Bedrooms
|
Shall comply with § 133-25C
| ||
|
Note a.
|
See § 133-25F for combined living room/dining room spaces.
|
|
Note b.
|
1 square foot = 0.093 m2.
|
F.
Combined spaces. Combined living room and dining room spaces shall comply with the requirements of § 133-25E, Table 1, 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.
G.
Prohibited occupancy. Kitchens, nonhabitable spaces and interior
public areas shall not be occupied for sleeping purposes.
H.
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).
(1)
Exceptions.
(a)
In one- and two-family dwellings, beams or girders spaced not
less than four feet (1,219 mm) on center and projecting 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, 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.
(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 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.
I.
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 counter fronts and appliances or counter fronts and walls.
J.
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.
