ICC Basement Finishing Codes

Minimum room and space sizes

 Bedrooms: min. 70 sq. ft. with a min. 7' dimension.

• Ceiling height: 7' 6" min. (7' for projections, furred ceilings, hallways & at light fixtures).

 Water closet: 21" clear space in front and 15" to each side from center of closet bowl.

• Showers: 900 sq. inch shower floor area, 30" least min. dimension, temp. glass, door

shall swing out.

?? Hallways: 36" min. finished width.

Stairway Minimums

• 3 6" min. finished width.

• 6'8" min. finished headroom (measured from tread nosing straight up to ceiling or fixture).

• Minimum tread length measured from nose to nose is 9".

• Maximum riser height is 8".

• Maximum variation allowed on rise and run shall not exceed 3/8".

• Handrails shall be installed on at least one side of stairs with more than three risers.

Height of railing shall be 34"- 38" measured from the nose of the treads.

• Guardrails required shall be 36" min. height with spindle design set such that a 4" sphere

cannot pass through at any point along the rail. Elevations more than 30" in height

require a guardrail.

• Enclosed, usable space under stairways are to be Type X sheetrock for the full inside walls

and ceiling of the enclosed usable space.

Construction Materials

• All sole plates resting on concrete slabs must be redwood or pressure treated.

• All beams to be properly sized and supported for loads carried.

• Insulation shall be at least R-13 with vapor barrier on warm side of exterior walls.

• Maximum stud spacing is 24" o.c. for non-bearing walls.

Window Requirements

• Size of widows must be 8% of room area for natural light unless specifically approved

otherwise.

• Each bedroom widow must have a mm. net opening of 5.7 sq. ft. with 24" mill. height &

20" mill. width. The sill height shall not be more than 44" off the floor.

Bedroom window wells must extend a minimum of 36" out from the building.

• Tempered glass required when windows is within 18" of floor level or within 24" of door.

Plumbing

• All fixtures must be plumbed to meet the current International Plumbing Code.

• No lead or acid bearing solders are allowed.

• Washing machine P-trap must be a min. of 6" above the floor.

• Tubs, showers sinks and lavatories must have P-traps.

Gas Furnaces and Water Heaters

• Furnaces or water heaters shall not be located in bedrooms, bathrooms or similar

confined rooms.

• Access to furnace and water heater shall not be through bedrooms or bathrooms.

• The furnace or water heater must be removable without moving the other.

• The furnace must have 30" of clearing working space m front, 6" to combustibles from

the front and as per attached specifications plate for side and back clearances to

combustibles.

Mechanical equipment must be provided with outside combustion air. Size all ducting per

current International Mechanical Code.

WOOD STOVES and FIREPLACES

Must be installed with clearances to combustibles as specified in their listing

requirements. All wood stoves and fireplaces must be listed and labeled units. Consult

with building inspector for special circumstances or requirements.