SimpleLiving2
Member
- Joined
- Nov 16, 2011
- Messages
- 4
I live in Austin, TX. I've found a couple of lots here on the east side that don't have any neighborhood restrictions regarding minimum size. I've looked into requirements that are city wide, and I've learned that the IRC and the IBC both have minimum room size requirements.
I'm having a little trouble figuring out if this IBC requirement on Effciency Dwelling Units applies to small houses that stand alone on a lot.
In the IBC:
1208.4 Efficiency dwelling units.
An efficiency living unit shall conform to the requirements of the code except as modified herein:
1. The unit shall have a living room of not less than 220 square feet (20.4 m2) of floor area. An additional 100 square feet (9.3 m2) of floor area shall be provided for each occupant of such unit in excess of two.
2. The unit shall be provided with a separate closet.
3. The unit shall be provided with a kitchen sink, cooking appliance and refrigeration facilities, each having a clear working space of not less than 30 inches (762 mm) in front. Light and ventilation conforming to this code shall be provided.
4. The unit shall be provided with a separate bathroom containing a water closet, lavatory and bathtub or shower.
From blog posts that I've read online, it seems that some people believe that having one habitable room of 120 sq ft is enough (with a separate bathroom). Then there's the issue of whether or not the kitchen needs to be separate? If it doesn't need to be separate, is the minimum 120 sq ft a measurement of floor area not including cabinets and appliances?
So, which requirements apply to tiny houses that stand alone? Does having the kitchen in a separate room change things so that the house is not an "efficiency"?
I'm having a little trouble figuring out if this IBC requirement on Effciency Dwelling Units applies to small houses that stand alone on a lot.
In the IBC:
1208.4 Efficiency dwelling units.
An efficiency living unit shall conform to the requirements of the code except as modified herein:
1. The unit shall have a living room of not less than 220 square feet (20.4 m2) of floor area. An additional 100 square feet (9.3 m2) of floor area shall be provided for each occupant of such unit in excess of two.
2. The unit shall be provided with a separate closet.
3. The unit shall be provided with a kitchen sink, cooking appliance and refrigeration facilities, each having a clear working space of not less than 30 inches (762 mm) in front. Light and ventilation conforming to this code shall be provided.
4. The unit shall be provided with a separate bathroom containing a water closet, lavatory and bathtub or shower.
From blog posts that I've read online, it seems that some people believe that having one habitable room of 120 sq ft is enough (with a separate bathroom). Then there's the issue of whether or not the kitchen needs to be separate? If it doesn't need to be separate, is the minimum 120 sq ft a measurement of floor area not including cabinets and appliances?
So, which requirements apply to tiny houses that stand alone? Does having the kitchen in a separate room change things so that the house is not an "efficiency"?