Darren Emery said:
I would have to disagree. We are inspecting to current code, given current conditions, and current plans. If it is listed as an office on the plans, it is an office. If and when a new owner changes the use to a bedroom, then we have a violation. Not before. We can not predict, or plan, for all future violations.
Hello there.
We had this issue discussed extensively before (as a previous poster included a link). The issue of labeling a room to dictate its use should not be an absolute.
If i have a large unheated area with 2 roll up doors (other wise known as garage doors), concrete slab floor, attached to the house, with say the furnace and water heater, and the designer labels it "sewing room", am I supposed to take them at their word and not require a separation between the garage and dwelling because it's not labeled a "garage".??
Can I have a room that has a dishwasher, cook top, refrigerator, and sink with countertops, and call it simply an "activity room", and therefore it is not a kitchen and requirements specific to a kitchen need not apply??
I know this one got beat to death on the forum previously, and there were some strong opinions, it's not an easy issue.
We have septic design requirements based on bedrooms. We have a policy (not written by me) that defines a bedroom. When we have someone that has a room that appears or could be used as a bedroom, if their septic design isn't large enough or there isn't legal egress, we will often use a NTT or Notice to Title. Basically a permaently recorded document that clarifies that this is truly "not a bedroom" for either lack of egress, or septic limitations. It usually is noted on the CofO, but this brings the issue to light whenever a real estate transaction is taking place and represents a very permanent record.
JMHO.