What Is a Non-conforming Basement Bedroom?
Finishing a basement adds both square footage and value to a home. Knowing and following the code requirements for basement bedrooms ensures safety and the best return on investment when it comes time to sell. Does this Spark an idea?
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Identification
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A non-conforming basement bedroom does not adhere to standard building codes, which require a window or door that opens to the outside to enable escape or rescue in emergencies.
Significance
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Besides the obvious safety disadvantage, non-conforming bedrooms may also make a basement space less attractive to buyers. Such a room cannot be advertised as a legal extra bedroom.
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Geography
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Check local building codes to find out the requirements in your area. More than 90 percent of U.S. communities follow the recommendations of the International Code Council, according to BobVila.com.
Considerations
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Most codes call for openings of a certain size, large enough for a firefighter or other rescuer to fit through, according to the "Washington Post." If the window is far below ground level, outside steps may be mandated. Windows must open without the use of a tool.
Time Frame
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Windows have been required in basement bedrooms for several decades, says the "Washington Post." A bedroom that predates the code may be legal without an exit, but any remodeling job will require that it be brought into compliance.
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