(a) Scope.
The provisions of this division 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 section.
(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.
(Ordinance 240-2005 adopted 11/22/05; 2008 Code, pt. II, art. 8, sec.
1.28; Ordinance 963-2022 adopted 3/8/22)
(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
window 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 obstructions to ingress and egress 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 (19m2) of floor area or equivalent
illumination, provided that the spacing between lights shall not be
greater than 30 feet (9144 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.
(Ordinance 240-2005 adopted 11/22/05; 2008 Code, pt. II, art. 8, sec.
1.29; Ordinance 963-2022 adopted 3/8/22)
(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 window area required in section
4.04.092(a).
(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 eight percent of the floor
area of the interior room or space, but not less than 25 square feet
(2.33m2). The ventilation openings to the outdoors shall be based
on a total floor area being ventilated.
(b) Bathrooms and toilet rooms.
(1) Every bathroom and toilet room shall comply with the ventilation requirements for habitable spaces as required by subsection
(a) of this section, 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 not be recirculated.
(2) Exception: Where specifically approved in writing by the code official.
(c) Process ventilation.
Where injurious, toxic, irritating
or noxious fumes, gases, dust or mist is 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.
(d) 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.
(Ordinance 240-2005 adopted 11/22/05; 2008 Code, pt. II, art. 8, sec.
1.30; Ordinance 963-2022 adopted 3/8/22)
(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 (2134 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.
(c) 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
(2134 mm). Exceptions are as follows:
(1) In one- and two-family dwellings, beams or girders spaced not less
than four feet (1219 mm) on center and projecting not more than six
inches (152 mm) below the required ceiling height.
(2) 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 (2033 mm) with not less than
six feet four inches (1932 mm) of clear height under beams, girders,
ducts and similar obstructions.
(3) 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 (2134 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 (1524 mm) or more shall be included.
(d) Bedroom requirements.
Every bedroom shall comply with the requirements of subsections
(e) through
(i) of this section.
(e) Area for sleeping purposes.
Every bedroom occupied by
one person shall contain at least 70 square feet (6.5 m2) of floor
area, and every bedroom occupied by more than one person shall contain
at least 50 square feet (4.6 m2) of floor area for each occupant thereof.
(f) 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.
Units that contain fewer than two bedrooms are exempt from this provision.
(g) 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.
(h) Prohibited occupancy.
Kitchens and nonhabitable spaces
shall not be used for sleeping purposes.
(i) Other requirements.
Bedrooms shall comply with the applicable
provisions of this PMC including, but not limited to, the light, ventilation,
room area, ceiling height and room width requirements of this article,
the plumbing facilities and water-heating facilities requirements
of division 4 of this article, the heating facilities and electrical
receptacle requirements of division 5 of this article, and the smoke
detector and emergency escape requirements of division 6 of this article.
(j) Overcrowding.
Dwelling units shall not be occupied by
more occupants than permitted by the minimum area requirements of
table 4.04.094.
TABLE 4.04.094. MINIMUM AREA REQUIREMENTS
|
---|
Minimum Area in Square Feet
|
---|
Space
|
1-2 Occupants
|
3-5 Occupants
|
6 or More Occupants
|
---|
Living room a, b
|
No requirements
|
120
|
150
|
Dining room a, b
|
No requirements
|
80
|
100
|
Bedrooms
|
|
For SI: 1 square foot = 0.093 m2
|
a. See section 4.04.094(l) for combined living room/dining room spaces.
|
b. See section 4.04.094(k) for limitations on determining the minimum occupancy area for sleeping purposes.
|
(k) Sleeping area.
The minimum occupancy area required by table 4.04.094 shall not be included as a sleeping area in determining the minimum occupancy area for sleeping purposes. All sleeping areas shall comply with subsections
(d),
(e) and
(k) of this section.
(l) Combined spaces.
Combined living room and dining room
spaces shall comply with the requirements of table 4.04.094 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.
(m) Efficiency units.
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 subsections
(2) and
(3).
(2) The unit shall be provided with a kitchen sink, cooking appliance
and refrigeration facilities, each having a clear working space of
not less than 30 inches (762 mm) in front. Light and ventilation conforming
to this PMC shall be provided.
(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.
(n) Food preparation facilities.
All spaces to be occupied
for food preparation purposes shall contain suitable space and equipment
to store, prepare and serve food 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.
(Ordinance 240-2005 adopted 11/22/05; 2008 Code, pt. II, art. 8, sec.
1.31; Ordinance 963-2022 adopted 3/8/22)