BACKGROUND:

The Seattle Building Code regulates minimum room sizes for residential occupancies. Section 310.6.2 requires that each multiple-room dwelling unit have one room of at least 120 square feet plus additional rooms. Section 310.7 requires that each efficiency unit have a living room of at least 220 square feet. Increases in the cost of housing and decreases in the amount of low-cost housing available in Seattle are creating a need for additional forms of housing. This rule allows smaller efficiency units if the building provides minimum amenities for the occupants.

RULE:

Buildings containing efficiency dwelling units shall comply with the Seattle Building Code, except as specifically provided in this rule.

Floor area. A small efficiency dwelling unit shall have a living room of at least 150 square feet of floor area. The floor area occupied by bathrooms, appliances, closets, kitchen cabinets, and the portion of a closet in which a built-in bed is stored and other built-in equipment shall not be included in calculating the floor area.

Kitchen. Each small efficiency dwelling unit shall contain a kitchen with a cooking appliance, refrigerator, sink, food and utensil storage space, and not less than 4 square feet of contiguous countertop work area.

The kitchen area shall be provided with two 20-ampere small appliance branch circuits. Each circuit shall serve at least one multiple receptacle. The cooking appliance shall be served by an additional circuit. All kitchen circuits shall have ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for personnel.

Bathroom. Each small efficiency dwelling unit shall contain a bathroom with a water closet, lavatory and bathtub or shower.

Closets and Storage. A closet shall be provided within each unit. The closet shall be not less than 2 feet by 3 feet by 7 feet high.

An additional lockable storage space not less than 4 feet by 4 feet by 3-1/2 feet high shall be provided for each small efficiency unit. This storage space may be located anywhere within the building and storage spaces may be grouped together in a common storage room.

The portion of a closet in which a built-in bed is stored shall not be included in the unit’s required closet or storage space.

Light. Each habitable room of the unit, including the kitchen, shall be provided with an openable window of the size required by Section 1203.2 of the Seattle Building Code for habitable rooms within a dwelling unit.