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Answers (5)
Best Answer
- SoCal_Engr
- Contributions:5667
I checked the Pierce County regs, and they have adopted the International Residential Codes. A quick Google didn't find anything
This site is not the IRC, but it references the IRC for the following...
"Habitable bedrooms must have at least 2 exits, at least one of which must be a door. The second exit can be a window that also must be a minimum dimension. The IRC sets the minimum opening area at 5'7" with a minimum opening height of 24 inches and width of 20 inches. Your own city's Building Code may require larger openings, especially in basement rooms."
When checking the Pierce County regs, I didn't see anything that superceded this. However, you should check with your local building dept to verify.
This site is not the IRC, but it references the IRC for the following...
"Habitable bedrooms must have at least 2 exits, at least one of which must be a door. The second exit can be a window that also must be a minimum dimension. The IRC sets the minimum opening area at 5'7" with a minimum opening height of 24 inches and width of 20 inches. Your own city's Building Code may require larger openings, especially in basement rooms."
When checking the Pierce County regs, I didn't see anything that superceded this. However, you should check with your local building dept to verify.
- Sam DeBord, "SeattleHome.com"
- Contributions:3472
Socal, great work, that's some nice research.
2be, you're going to want to have this permitted if you're going to get it in the county records and claim it on your home's listings. Therefore, you'll already need to be in contact with the building dept and you might as well go to them for the dimension requirements.
2be, you're going to want to have this permitted if you're going to get it in the county records and claim it on your home's listings. Therefore, you'll already need to be in contact with the building dept and you might as well go to them for the dimension requirements.
- John Stewart, "nwhome.us"
- Contributions:2166
Contact the Pierce County Department of Land and Development. They have made some exceptions to the UBC so you'll need to go to them directly to get a true reading on the requirements for fire egress from a basement.
I believe it is lot better to market a home with the legal (attorney speak) number of bedrooms and give buyers a bonus that they can choose to use the way that they want to.
I believe it is lot better to market a home with the legal (attorney speak) number of bedrooms and give buyers a bonus that they can choose to use the way that they want to.
- Rachel Cheeney, "rachel_cheeney"
- Contributions:72
A quick check of your local building code to see if the window qualifies as an "egress" will help clarify the situation.
- Kimberly Brace, "MrsAgentRU1IM"
- Contributions:46
2BrightEyes - in Derby Kansas, a suburb of Wichita, the requirement to count a basement bedroom as a legal bedroom is that it provide legal egress. In our community, legal egress is defined as an opening large enough for a fireman, who is wearing an airpack, be able to carry a body through, as in RESCUE. Hope that helps. Kim
Window size requirements for a bedroom.
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