15.10.280 Occupancy limitations.
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 be not less than seven (7) feet (two thousand one hundred thirty-four (2,134) mm) in any plan dimension. Kitchens shall have a minimum clear passageway of three (3) feet (nine hundred fourteen (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 minimum clear ceiling height of seven (7) feet (two thousand one hundred thirty-four (2,134) mm).
Exceptions:
1. In one (1) and two (2) family dwellings, beams or girders spaced not less than four (4) feet (one thousand two hundred nineteen (1,219) mm) on center and projecting a maximum of six (6) inches (one hundred fifty-two (152) mm) below the required ceiling height.
2. Basement rooms in one (1) and two (2) family dwellings occupied exclusively for laundry, study or recreation purposes, having a minimum ceiling height of six (6) feet eight (8) inches (two thousand thirty-three (2,033) mm) with a minimum clear height of six (6) feet four (4) inches (one thousand nine hundred thirty-two (1,932) mm) 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 minimum clear ceiling height of seven (7) feet (two thousand one hundred thirty-four (2,134) mm) over not less than one-third (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 minimum clear ceiling height of five (5) feet (one thousand five hundred twenty-four (1,524) mm) shall be included.
D. Bedroom and Living Room Requirements. Every bedroom and living room shall comply with the requirements of subsections (D)(1) through (D)(5) of this section.
1. Room Area. Every living room shall contain not less than one hundred twenty (120) square feet (11.2 m2) and every bedroom shall contain not less than seventy (70) square feet (6.5 m2) and every bedroom occupied by more than one (1) person shall contain not less than fifty (50) square feet (4.6 m2) of floor area for each occupant thereof.
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 (2) bedrooms.
3. Water Closet Accessibility. Every bedroom shall have access to not less than one (1) water closet and one (1) lavatory without passing through another bedroom. Every bedroom in a dwelling unit shall have access to not less than one (1) 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 code 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 Article 5 of this chapter; the heating facilities and electrical receptacle requirements of Article 6 of this chapter; and the smoke detector and emergency escape requirements of Article 7 of this chapter.
E. Overcrowding. Dwelling units shall not be occupied by more occupants than permitted by the minimum area requirements of Table P1.
|
SPACE |
MINIMUM AREA IN SQUARE FEET |
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
1-2 occupants |
3-5 occupants |
6 or more occupants |
|
|
120 |
120 |
150 |
|
|
No requirement |
80 |
100 |
|
|
Bedrooms |
Shall comply with subsection (D)(1) of this section |
||
For SI: one (1) square foot = 0.0929 m2.
ASee subsection (E)(2) of this section for combined living room/dining room spaces.
BSee subsection (E)(1) of this section for limitations on determining the minimum occupancy area for sleeping purposes.
1. Sleeping Area. The minimum occupancy area required by Table P1 shall not be included as a sleeping area in determining the minimum occupancy area for sleeping purposes. Sleeping areas shall comply with subsection (D) of this section.
2. Combined Spaces. Combined living room and dining room spaces shall comply with the requirements of Table P1 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.
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 one (1) occupant shall have a minimum clear floor area of one hundred twenty (120) square feet (11.2 m2). A unit occupied by not more than two (2) occupants shall have a minimum clear floor area of two hundred twenty (220) square feet (20.4 m2). A unit occupied by three (3) occupants shall have a minimum clear floor area of three hundred twenty (320) square feet (29.7 m2). These required areas shall be exclusive of the areas required by subsections (F)(2) and (F)(3) of this section.
2. The unit shall be provided with a kitchen sink, cooking appliance and refrigeration facilities, each having a minimum clear working space of thirty (30) inches (seven hundred sixty-two (762) mm) in front. Light and ventilation conforming to this code 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 (3).
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.