In new construction, is it required that a bedroom have a window, or at least a natural light source?

Question

What does code require?

In multi-family residential construction, with 2 or more bedrooms.

Answer 1

Any habitable space requires a window, and that includes all bedrooms. The code calls it egress window. This is very important for fire and life safety reasons. It will be your means of egress during emergency (ex. if you cannot access your door during fire). The egress window has to be sized to accommodate the size of a normal sized person. I would say 5 to 6 sqft.. Ever wonder why all bedrooms at basement level has a fenestration well or at least a 24" high hopper/awning window? Hope this helps answer your question.

Answer 2

Bedroom Window Requirements

Answer 3

check with your zoning office, or building inspector. the national building code requires so much window space per sq ft of the bed room. Which is a good idea. However if you are in an area that has not adopted a building or zoning code, and you are left to your own likes or dislikes, you will be the boss.

Best you follow the national bldg code whether or not, you might want to sell your house some time, and the finance Co could take a dim view of a bed room with inadequate windows.

Answer 4

There are three requirements that must be satisfied: lighting, ventilation, and egress.

The lighting requirement is satisfied if the total area of all the windows in a bedroom are at least 10% of the floor area for that room.

The ventilation requirement is satisfied if the total openable area of all the windows in a bedroom is at least 5% of the floor area for that room.

Each bedroom shall have at least one window that may be used for emergency escape and rescue:
•Minimum opening area of 5.7 ft², except 5.0 ft² at ground level
•Minimum width 20"
•Minimum height 24"
•Window sill 44" max above floor
http://www.sawconcrete.com/egress_bldgcode.pdf

Answer 5

The Uniform Building Code requires all bedrooms to have a window equal to 1/10th the floor space. In other words, if the bedroom is 10x12 (120 sf), there must be 12 sf of window (3x4). Half of that must be able to open.

Answer 6

Yes, A bedroom has to have a window for a fire escape. You wouldn't want to be caught in there when a fire breaks out with no were to go. A window is required by law for your own protection. It is a county and city code.

Answer 7

There is an exclusionary clause in the Southern Building Code that allows you to do without windows in bedrooms but they require that the room be below grade and it must be designated a dungeon.

Answer 8

This is an answer for your code office where you live. A window may be required for safety reason for escape during a fire. A "safety egress" I would want on anyway for my family.

Answer 9

A window is required. Bathrooms do not require a window, but must have a vent fan if there isn't one.

Answer 10

Am also a light sleeper & would rather be hot than have flies in the room shudders, just wear yr birthday suit. I do open windows but is only slightly open on the lock so nothing can get in only air :)