Minimum ceiling height requirement for room with sloped ceiling
sounds like an attic level and therefore was never intended/permitted as a habitable room. Probably was also excluded from FAR.
yte
in Brownstoner Renovation 13 years and 3 months ago
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5 replies
northslopeneighbor | 13 years and 3 months ago
We have a space that measures 18′ wide (the interior width of our building) by 5′ deep that is open and overlooks one of our bedrooms. Its ceiling is sloped with the tallest height at 8′ by the entry and the lowest about 5.5′ by the railing overlooking the bedroom. We’re trying to figure out whether we can put up a wall in order to make it an enclosed bedroom for our baby. Ideally, we’d like to extend the floor area out an additional 2-3′ (for a total room depth of 7-8′) by spanning between the perimeter walls with a beam and then filling in the floor between our existing construction and the beam. According to what we could find online, although there is a minimum 8′ ceiling height and a minimum room dimension to be 7′ for habitable rooms, we think the room is an exception as follows: **404.3 Minimum ceiling heights.** Habitable spaces, hallways, corridors, laundry areas, bathrooms, toilet rooms and habitable basement areas shall have a clear ceiling height of not less than 7 feet (2134 mm).
**Exceptions:**
Rooms occupied exclusively for sleeping, study or similar purposes and having a sloped ceiling over all or part of the room, with a clear ceiling height of at least 7 feet (2134 mm) over not less than one-third of the required minimum floor area (80 sf). In calculating the floor area of such rooms, only those portions of the floor area with a clear ceiling height of 5 feet (1524 mm) or more shall be included. First, does anyone know whether we are reading this correctly? The space definitely meets the minimum room requirements since the entire current space has a ceiling height of at least 5.5′ feet (because I can stand upright even in the lowest end). Since the room is 18′ in length, if we qualify under the above exception, as long as at least 1.5′ from the highest ceiling is at least 7 feet high, we would be okay, right? Also, the extended portion of the room would have a ceiling height LESS than 5.5′. Does anyone know — as long as we meet the MINIMUM requirements, is it okay that a portion of the room has a ceiling height of LESS than 5 feet? We would like to avoid doing anything to the roof unless we have to. Just trying to figure out if this is a possibility before we bring in an architect. Thanks!
BHS | 13 years and 3 months ago
Does the would-be-room have a window? If the room were considered a “closet” would that be a problem?
northslopeneighbor | 13 years and 3 months ago
We were planning to put in windows, and most likely, a skylight. I guess if we were to go forward with an expensive renovation like this, we’d like to be able to make it a legal bedroom if and when we decide to sell down the road.
dazednconfused2 | 13 years and 3 months ago
Don’t forget that a habitable room must be at least 8 feet wide, unless your dwelling unit has at least three bedrooms, in which case the minimum dimension must be 7 feet. They could say that the part of the room which is below 5 feet in height does not count towards width, in which case the additional 2 feet you’re adding won’t count towards room width because its ceiling height is less than 5 feet. I would suggest filing a preconsideration with the DOB before filing the work, just to see what they say. Jim Hill, RA LEED AP
northslopeneighbor | 13 years and 3 months ago
I guess we will have to take a look at the grade of the ceiling to see whether at 7′ out, we still are at a ceiling height of 5′ or not. It’s not very steep, so it might be.