MINIMUM STANDARDS

Charleston, W. Va., City Code ch. 14, art. III, div. 3

in effect

Charleston, W. Va., City Code § 14-141 Minimum floor areas and ceiling heights.

Sec. 14-141. - Minimum floor areas and ceiling heights. The total area in all habitable rooms in a dwelling unit or rooming unit shall be such as to provide at least 120 square feet of floor area for the first occupant and 100 square feet for each additional occupant. No room used for sleeping purposes shall have a floor area of less than 60 square feet, and every room used by more than one occupant for sleeping purposes shall contain at least 50 square feet of floor area per occupant sleeping in the room. No room serving as a bathroom with a tub as bathing facilities shall have a floor area of less than 35 square feet, including the area occupied by the tub; no room serving as a bathroom with a shower stall as bathing facilities shall have a floor area of less than 30 square feet, including the space occupied by the shower stall. No habitable rooms shall have a ceiling height of less than seven feet. (Code 1975, § 5-61)

Charleston, W. Va., City Code § 14-142 Heating and cooking.

Sec. 14-142. - Heating and cooking. Every dwelling shall have heating facilities suitable for heating habitable rooms to a minimum temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit, at a distance of three feet from the floor during ordinary minimum winter conditions, which are properly installed, maintained in a safe working condition and shall be adequately ventilated. No cooking shall be permitted in any basement unless approved by the chief, bureau of fire prevention, city fire department. Every dwelling shall contain a kitchen sink, in good working condition, properly serviced by an approved sewer system; and every dwelling unit shall contain hot water heating facilities in good working condition, properly connected so as to provide hot water to existing bathtubs or showers, kitchen sinks and lavatory. (Code 1975, § 5-62)

Charleston, W. Va., City Code § 14-143 Lighting and ventilation.

Sec. 14-143. - Lighting and ventilation. Every habitable room or rooming unit shall have at least one window or skylight facing directly to the outside of the building or structure in addition to the entrance requirements, which shall be at least three feet from any adjacent structure. Such window or skylight shall be in area at least ten percent of the floor area of the room and shall be properly glazed and maintained in such condition as to permit 45 percent of it to be easily opened and closed. Every nonhabitable room shall have provision for lighting as follows: one ceiling or wall type electric light fixture. In an interior room where such direct opening to the outside is impossible, a duct system affording at least one square inch of duct for each square foot of floor space in the room may be used. Such ducts will be properly constructed of rigid materials and kept free from dirt or obstructions, will be not more than 20 feet in length to the outside, and will not have more than two changes of direction which shall total no more than 90 degrees. Where such duct is used in a kitchen or bathroom and no window or skylight is afforded, such duct must be equipped with a means of changing the air in such room at least 12 times an hour. Every dwelling located within reasonable distance of a commercial power line shall be provided with electric service. Every habitable room shall have at least two duplex electrical wall outlets, which shall be installed, maintained, operated and fused in accordance with the requirements of the electrical code. (Code 1975, § 5-63)

Charleston, W. Va., City Code § 14-144 Water supply; toilet and bath facilities; plumbing.

Sec. 14-144. - Water supply; toilet and bath facilities; plumbing. Every dwelling unit must have access to an approved water supply. Every dwelling unit must have at least one lavatory basin, one water closet and one bath, tub or shower; and every rooming unit must have at least one lavatory basin, one water closet and one bath, tub or shower for each eight roomers and one urinal for each 24 male roomers, all of which shall be installed in accordance with existing codes. Each such dwelling unit shall have a water heating device sufficient to provide adequate hot water to any basin, sink, tub or shower, during periods of normal use, to a temperature of 120 degrees Fahrenheit; and all such water heating devices and applications shall be vented, installed and maintained in accordance with existing related ordinances. (Code 1975, § 5-64)

Charleston, W. Va., City Code § 14-145 Basements.

Sec. 14-145. - Basements. No basement or cellar shall be used as a habitation except where at least 60 percent of the basement is above the adjoining grade level and where there is at least one means of safe egress in addition to the entrance; except an apartment building basement may be used as a habitation by the caretaker and his family provided it meets with other requirements for a basement dwelling pertaining to safe egress and cooking facilities as set forth in this article. The general fitness of a basement used for human habitation shall, in addition to the foregoing requirements of this section, be in accordance with the appropriate regulations of the health commissioner; and all basements, whether used as a habitation or not, shall be kept free from garbage, trash and rubbish accumulations and rodent and insect infestation. (Code 1975, § 5-65)

Charleston, W. Va., City Code § 14-146 Entrances and exits.

Sec. 14-146. - Entrances and exits. Each dwelling unit shall have a separate access to either a hallway, landing, stairway or street. Each dwelling unit or rooming unit shall have in addition, where structurally feasible, at least one additional means of approved egress which shall lead to a safe and open space at ground level. Each room used for sleeping purposes shall have direct and unobstructed access to the outside, and such access shall be in accordance with the appropriate regulations of the chief of the bureau of fire prevention. (Code 1975, § 5-66)

Charleston, W. Va., City Code § 14-147 Waste disposal and receptacles.

Sec. 14-147. - Waste disposal and receptacles. Every dwelling unit shall be supplied with adequate, noncombustible rubbish and trash storage facilities of a type approved by the health commissioner and the chief, bureau of fire prevention, and shall have adequate garbage disposal facilities or garbage storage containers of a type and in a location approved by the health commissioner. (Code 1975, § 5-67)

Charleston, W. Va., City Code § 14-148 Surface drainage.

Sec. 14-148. - Surface drainage. All courts, yards or other areas on the premises of any dwelling shall be properly graded and drained. All roofs shall be maintained in a sufficient repair to prevent the interior of the dwelling from becoming wet or damp from leaks. (Code 1975, § 5-68)

Charleston, W. Va., City Code § 14-149 Maintenance and repairs.

Sec. 14-149. - Maintenance and repairs. All dwellings and dwelling units shall be maintained in good condition and appearance, and all devices in use on the premises shall be maintained in good working order, and shall be kept free from garbage, trash and rubbish accumulation and rodent and insect infestation. (Code 1975, § 5-69)

Source: City of Charleston, West Virginia, City Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/wv/charleston/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH14BUBURE_ARTIIIHOCO_DIV3MISTFetched: 11/7/2026