ARTICLE VII. - DWELLING SPACE AND USE AND ACCESS
Part of the Code of Ordinances of Warwick, RI.
The text
Sec. 26-201. - Generally.#
No person shall occupy as owner-occupant or permit to be occupied by another any dwelling or dwelling unit which does not comply with the requirements of this article.
(Code 1971, § 10-150)
Sec. 26-202. - Floorspace per person.#
Every dwelling shall contain at least 160 square feet of floorspace for the first occupant, at least 100 square feet of additional floorspace for each of the next two occupants, at least 75 square feet of additional floorspace for each of the next three occupants, and at least 50 square feet of additional floorspace for each occupant thereafter; except that any dwelling unit which is occupied by two or more occupants and which contains a room not intended to be used primarily for cooking or sleeping but which is properly designed and equipped or especially furnished with either an efficiency closet or wall-type kitchen unit or kitchenette, or bed furniture properly designed for daytime storage or other daytime uses so as to be usable for a combination of regular living and efficiency sleeping space, may contain 100 square feet less floorspace than would otherwise be required. In every case the floorspace shall be calculated on the basis of total habitable room area.
(Code 1971, § 10-151)
Sec. 26-203. - Sleeping space per person.#
In every dwelling unit of two or more rooms, every room occupied for sleeping purposes by one occupant shall contain at least 70 square feet of floorspace, and every room occupied for sleeping purposes by more than one person shall contain at least 40 square feet of floorspace for each occupant thereof.
(Code 1971, § 10-152)
Sec. 26-204. - Ceiling height.#
At least one-half of the floor area of every habitable room shall have a ceiling height of at least seven feet; and the floor area of that part of any room where the ceiling height is less than five feet shall not be considered as part of the floor area in computing the total floor area of the room for the purpose of determining the maximum permissible occupancy thereof.
(Code 1971, § 10-153)
Sec. 26-205. - Cellar and basement occupancy.#
No basement space shall be used as a habitable room or dwelling unit, except as a workshop or recreation room, unless: (1)
The floor and walls are impervious to leakage of underground and surface runoff water and are insulated against dampness.
(2)
The total window area in each room is equal to at least the minimum window area sizes as required in section 26-172 and is located above the finished grade of the adjoining ground of the window wall, and unless it shall comply with the provisions of section 26-173, except when an approved ventilating system is supplied.
In no case, however, shall cellar space be used for sleeping purposes.
(Code 1971, § 10-154)
Sec. 26-206. - Means of egress.#
Every dwelling unit shall be provided with approved safe and unobstructed means of egress, and shall comply with the applicable provisions of the fire prevention ordinance and the rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto.
(Code 1971, § 10-155)