§ 12-80. Minimum space, use and location requirements.  


Latest version.
  • No person shall occupy, or let to another for occupancy, any dwelling or dwelling unit for the purpose of living therein, which does not comply with the following requirements:

    (1)

    Every dwelling unit shall contain a minimum gross floor area of at least 150 square feet for the first occupant, 100 square feet for each of the next two occupants, and at least 75 square feet for each occupant thereafter. Floor space shall be calculated on the basis of total habitable room area.

    (2)

    In every dwelling unit of two or more habitable rooms, every room occupied for sleeping purposes by one occupant shall have a minimum gross floor area of at least 80 square feet. Every room occupied for sleeping purposes by more than one occupant shall have a minimum gross floor area of 50 square feet per occupant. Every room used for sleeping purposes shall have a minimum width of eight feet. Kitchens shall not be used for sleeping purposes. Porches shall not be used as permanent sleeping quarters.

    (3)

    At last one-half of the floor area of every habitable room shall have a ceiling height of at least seven feet. Any portion of a room having a ceiling height of less than five feet shall not be considered in computing the total floor area of such room.

    (4)

    No dwelling or dwelling unit containing two or more sleeping rooms shall be so arranged that access to a bathroom, shower room, or water closet compartment intended for use by occupants of more than one sleeping room can be had only by going through another sleeping room or outside the structure, nor shall room arrangements be such that access to a sleeping room can be had only by going through another sleeping room, bathroom, shower room, or water closet compartment.

    (5)

    No cellar or basement space shall be used as a habitable room or dwelling unit.

(County Code, §§ 17-26, 17-62)