29.30.200 Ceiling Heights.

City Code Section

(Amended by Ordinance Nos. 180330 and 181699, effective April 25, 2008.)  Habitable rooms in existing one and two family dwelling buildings shall have a clear ceiling height of at least 7 feet.  Habitable rooms in other existing buildings shall have a clear ceiling height of at least 7 feet 6 inches.  The following height exceptions may be used for the one and two family dwelling ceiling height requirements:

A.    Flat ceilings.  Where the ceiling is flat, ceiling heights may be a minimum of 6 feet 8 inches.  Pipes, ducts, beams, or similar objects projecting from the ceiling may be as follows:

1.   Ceiling projections may be as low as 6 feet where they are located within 2 feet from the wall; or

2.   Ceiling projections may be as low as 6 feet 2 inches where they do not occupy more than 10 percent of the floor area in the room where they are located.

B.   Sloped ceilings.

1.    General.  Where the ceiling is sloped, the height may be as follows:

a.    The minimum ceiling height must be at least 6 feet 8 inches over an area comprising at least 50% of the overall room area; and 

b.  Portions of the room with a ceiling height less than 5 feet shall not be counted toward the overall room area.

2.   Bathrooms.  In bathrooms with sloped ceilings not more than 75% of the floor area of a bathroom is permitted to have a sloped ceiling less than 7 feet in height, provided an area of 21 inches by 24 inches in front of toilets and lavatories has a minimum of 6 feet 4 inches in height.  An area of 24 inches by 30 inches in front of and inside a tub or shower shall have a minimum of 6 feet 4 inches in height.

C.  These exceptions to the current building codes shall not apply where any occupancy has been changed, or the occupant load has been increased, contrary to the provisions of this Title.