Bedroom Requirements
#1
06-05-06, 01:59 PM
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Bedroom Requirements
I've seen in some posts that a bedroom must have a closet. Can anyone tell me where this requirement is located in the UBC/BOCA code?
I have never heard of this before and was planning on adding a bedroom with a wardrobe cabinet in lieu of a closet. This will be in an older home (Southern California mountain vacation rental). The room will be large enough to put in a closet, but for esthetic charm I would prefer an wardrobe.
-Joe
I have never heard of this before and was planning on adding a bedroom with a wardrobe cabinet in lieu of a closet. This will be in an older home (Southern California mountain vacation rental). The room will be large enough to put in a closet, but for esthetic charm I would prefer an wardrobe.
-Joe
#2
06-05-06, 03:48 PM
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Joe,
There is no requirement to have a closet.
Those that have posted that a closet is a requirement to be installed in a bedroom are wrong, pure and simple.
You can have a square room and call it a bedroom as long as it meets egress and height requirements. If not, it is then called a "storage room".
Installing a wardrobe cabinet is perfectly acceptable.
Hope this helps!
There is no requirement to have a closet.
Those that have posted that a closet is a requirement to be installed in a bedroom are wrong, pure and simple.
You can have a square room and call it a bedroom as long as it meets egress and height requirements. If not, it is then called a "storage room".
Installing a wardrobe cabinet is perfectly acceptable.
Hope this helps!
#3
06-06-06, 05:19 AM
Direct from the Florida 2004 building code:
BEDROOM: Any residential room which has an area of 70 square feet (7 m 2 ) or more and a clothes storage closet , and is not part of the common living area. For the purposes of this code, the number of “main” bedrooms for homes of three bedrooms or more is the total number of bedrooms less one. In one and two bedroom homes, all bedrooms are “main” bedrooms.
A closet is defined as a fixed storage space, so a wardrobe cabinet doesn't count.
No closet, then in Florida it's not a bedroom.
Californias code could very well be different.
BEDROOM: Any residential room which has an area of 70 square feet (7 m 2 ) or more and a clothes storage closet , and is not part of the common living area. For the purposes of this code, the number of “main” bedrooms for homes of three bedrooms or more is the total number of bedrooms less one. In one and two bedroom homes, all bedrooms are “main” bedrooms.
A closet is defined as a fixed storage space, so a wardrobe cabinet doesn't count.
No closet, then in Florida it's not a bedroom.
Californias code could very well be different.
#4
06-06-06, 05:37 AM
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Pendragon,
In Michigan, there is no such requirement and it is not in the IRC 2003 Code.
I would have to say that the best way to determine what is required or not, is to call your local building official. States or even cities may have their own requirements and not all are obligated to be under one ruling.
It just proves that what is acceptable or not in one area may not be in another.
Thanks
In Michigan, there is no such requirement and it is not in the IRC 2003 Code.
I would have to say that the best way to determine what is required or not, is to call your local building official. States or even cities may have their own requirements and not all are obligated to be under one ruling.
It just proves that what is acceptable or not in one area may not be in another.
Thanks
#5
06-06-06, 05:57 AM
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Originally Posted by Doug Aleshire
Joe,
There is no requirement to have a closet.
Those that have posted that a closet is a requirement to be installed in a bedroom are wrong, pure and simple.
You can have a square room and call it a bedroom as long as it meets egress and height requirements. If not, it is then called a "storage room".
Installing a wardrobe cabinet is perfectly acceptable.
Hope this helps!
There is no requirement to have a closet.
Those that have posted that a closet is a requirement to be installed in a bedroom are wrong, pure and simple.
You can have a square room and call it a bedroom as long as it meets egress and height requirements. If not, it is then called a "storage room".
Installing a wardrobe cabinet is perfectly acceptable.
Hope this helps!
I have been a licensed Architect in CA since 1972 and was surprised by the posts indicating a closet for a bedroom in a single family residence. Florida is IMO very unusual in this regard.
#6
06-06-06, 06:11 AM
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Joe,
I agree. The issues of bedrooms may be different in Florida but I might inquire on this further. Maybe do some checking on it state by state. I'm curious about this one.
Trouble with posting responses, what may be good in one State or City, may not be in another so when I reply, I always suggest calling your local building official.
Commercial or public applications are one thing but residential falls under other rules. Just recently, a client that sells wardrobe cabinet systems had me design a large addition(s) on his place and none have a fixed closet. Owner got his permit and is ready to start building. I had in fact called the City Engineer to ask if I needed a fixed closet - his response, no requirement to have one and is not in the MI IRC 2003 book nor will it be in the new one coming out. Issue is centered only on egress and ceiling height.
Life is a never ending learning session!
I agree. The issues of bedrooms may be different in Florida but I might inquire on this further. Maybe do some checking on it state by state. I'm curious about this one.
Trouble with posting responses, what may be good in one State or City, may not be in another so when I reply, I always suggest calling your local building official.
Commercial or public applications are one thing but residential falls under other rules. Just recently, a client that sells wardrobe cabinet systems had me design a large addition(s) on his place and none have a fixed closet. Owner got his permit and is ready to start building. I had in fact called the City Engineer to ask if I needed a fixed closet - his response, no requirement to have one and is not in the MI IRC 2003 book nor will it be in the new one coming out. Issue is centered only on egress and ceiling height.
Life is a never ending learning session!
