§ 10-198. Quantity, location, and use of space.  


Latest version.
  • (a)

    Purpose. The purpose of this section is to establish minimum standards for the quantity, location, and use of space in residential building units so as to preserve and promote the public interest. A suitable environment for safe, healthy, and desirable living can be enhanced by providing adequate space and privacy for occupants of all residential buildings.

    (b)

    Size of dwellings and rooms.

    (1)

    Every dwelling unit except seasonal shall contain a minimum gross floor area of not less than 150 square feet for the first occupant, 100 square feet for the second occupant, and 75 square feet for each additional occupant. The floor area shall be calculated on the basis of the total area of all habitable rooms.

    (2)

    In every dwelling unit of two or more rooms, every room-occupied for sleeping purposes by one occupant shall contain at least 80 square feet of floor space, and every room occupied for sleeping purposes by more than one occupant shall contain at least 40 square feet of floor space for each occupant thereof over 12 years of age and at least 30 square feet for each occupant thereof under 12 years of age.

    (3)

    Floor area at least one-half of the floor area of every habitable room shall have a ceiling height of at least seven feet; and the floor area of that part of any room where the ceiling height is less than five feet shall not be considered as part of the floor area in computing the total floor area of the room for the purpose of determining the maximum permissible occupancy thereof.

    (4)

    Basement or cellar space. No basement or cellar space shall be used as a dwelling unit unless it complies with the Minimum Property Requirements (No. 300) of the Federal Housing Administration (current issue).

(Code 1991, § 15-4-6; Ord. No. 94-03, § I(15-4-6), 9-6-1994)