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October 10, 2008
Definition Bedroom
I was renovating my home and was not able to install windows in two bedrooms because it was too close to the neighboring property. Inspection time came and I was told to define it as a den. When my final inspection came, I already had the home occupied through a TCO, and the inspector gave me a fine because there was a bed in the room. Does a bed in the room define the room as a bedroom?
Comments
I had always thought that a bedroom was defined by if it had a door and a window. A middle room, with neither of those things, but with a bed, would not constitute a bedroom. Perhaps because of the window...
Posted by: crowlish at October 10, 2008 5:48 PM
You can have a recreation room in a basement, but once you make add a bed it is a violation since no one is supposed to sleep in it, maybe this is the same type of deal...
Posted by: alrosariojr at October 10, 2008 6:02 PM
A bedroom must have natural light and ventilation (window, door to the exterior or operable skylight - sometimes permitted). There are quidelines to how big the window needs to be depending on the size of the room.
A room CANNOT be used as a bedroom unless it meets the NYC Guidelines.
A bed in a room will lead one to believe that it's being used as a bedroom.
Set up for another inspection, on the scheduled day, have the room set up as an office or a storage room (move the bed out of there and into an area that CAN be used as a bedroom). After you pass the final inspection and you bid the inspector good-bye, start wheeling your bed back in.
You didn't hear it from me.
Posted by: bayridgegirl at October 10, 2008 6:14 PM
FYI to all.
Here's the link to the (new) building code.
http://www.nyc.gov/html/dob/html/model/construction_code.shtml
go to Section 12 Interior Environment - 1203 (talks about habitable rooms and ventilation (windows)
Posted by: bayridgegirl at October 10, 2008 6:25 PM
Here's a link to NYC Housing Maintenance Code. See Subchapter 3: PHYSICAL AND OCCUPANCY STANDARDS FOR DWELLING UNITS - Article 1: Lighting and Ventilation:
http://www.housingnyc.com/html/resources/hmc/hmc.html
The short version of what you'll read in the code, using NYCHA standards, is directly below. Also a link for short Gothamist article on illegal bedrooms:
BEDROOMS: Each bedroom must have at least one window which must open and be large enough to use as an emergency exit. There must be a door, which can be closed. Each bedroom must measure at least 80 square feet.
http://gothamist.com/2007/09/04/lot_line_window.php
Posted by: vinca at October 11, 2008 11:51 AM
Bedrooms must also meet minimum dimensional requirements (ceiling height and width), although a third bedroom can be less than the 8'-0" required length/width of the first two (1208.1).
Posted by: an architect in Brooklyn at October 13, 2008 1:03 PM
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