MINIMUM SPACE AND USE REQUIREMENTS

Columbus City Codes tit. 45, ch. 4541

in effect

Columbus City Codes § 4541.01 Sleeping area requirements.

4541.01 - Sleeping area requirements. Every room occupied for sleeping purposes by one occupant shall contain at least seventy (70) square feet of floor space, and every room occupied for sleeping purposes by more than one person shall contain at least fifty (50) square feet of floor space for each occupant thereof. (Ord. 595-96.)

Columbus City Codes § 4541.02 Combined spaces.

4541.02 - Combined spaces. Combined living room and dining room spaces shall comply with the requirements of the Minimum Occupancy Area Requirements Table in C.C. 4541.015 if the total area is equal to that required for separate rooms and if the space is located so as to function as a combination living room/dining room. (Ord. 595-96.)

Columbus City Codes § 4541.03 Height of rooms.

4541.03 - Height of rooms. At least one-half (½) of the floor area of every habitable room shall have a ceiling height of at least seven feet. The floor area of that part of any habitable 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 or the total floor area of the dwelling unit for the purpose of determining the maximum permissible occupancy thereof. (Ord. 356-75.)

Columbus City Codes § 4541.04 Basement or cellar occupancy.

4541.04 - Basement or cellar occupancy. Except as modified herein, no basement or cellar space shall be used as a sleeping room, dwelling unit or rooming unit unless it meets all standards as set forth in this Housing Code and meets the following additional requirements: (a) The floor and walls shall be impervious to leakage or seepage of underground or surface water and shall be well drained and protected against dampness; (b) The total window area and openable window area of each room so used shall meet the requirements of Sections 4523.01 and 4523.02 respectively. (c) Access can be gained to each room so used without passage through a furnace room. (d) Each room so used shall have no pipes, ducts or other obstructions less than six feet and six inches above the floor level which interfere with normal use of the room or area. (e) Each room so used shall be separated from the heating equipment, incinerators, or other equally hazardous equipment by a standard partition when required by, and as specified in, the Columbus Building Code. (Ord. 356-75.)

Columbus City Codes § 4541.05 Location of rooms.

4541.05 - Location of rooms. (a) A bathroom or water closet compartment shall not be used as the only passageway to any habitable room, hall, basement or cellar or to the exterior of the dwelling unit. (b) In dwelling units or rooming houses where the bath is shared by more than one family the room arrangement shall be such that the bath and toilet are accessible without going through any habitable room of another dwelling unit or rooming unit or going outside the dwelling unit. (c) Access to or egress from each rooming unit shall be provided without passing through any other rooming unit or dwelling unit. (Ord. 356-75.)

Columbus City Codes § 4541.06 Closets.

4541.06 - Closets. Each dwelling unit shall be provided with approximately thirty-six (36) cubic feet of clothes closet space or suitable alternative for the first bedroom plus eighteen (18) cubic feet for each additional bedroom. At least one-half (½) of the total required clothes closet space shall be located within the dwelling unit. Article VII. General Regulations (Ord. 356-75.)

Columbus City Codes § 4541.015 Overcrowding.

4541.015 - Overcrowding. A dwelling unit shall not be occupied by any more occupants than are permitted by the Minimum Occupancy Area Requirements Table as follows: MINIMUM OCCUPANCY AREA REQUIREMENTS Minimum occupancy area in square feet Space | 1-2 occupants | 3-5 occupants | 6 or more Living Area: Living room* | No requirements | 120 | 150 Dining room* | No requirements | 80 | 100 Kitchen | 50 | 50 | 60 Sleeping Area | Shall comply with C.C. 4541.01 For purposes of this section, a child under one year of age shall not be counted as an additional occupant. *See C.C. 4541.02 for combined living room/dining room spaces. (Ord. 595-96.)

Columbus City Codes § 4541.025 Prohibited occupancy.

4541.025 - Prohibited occupancy. A nonhabitable space, kitchen, or other interior public area shall not be occupied for sleeping purposes. (Ord. 595-96.)

Source: City of Columbus, City Codes and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/oh/columbus/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT45HOCO_CH4541MISPUSREFetched: 10/27/2026