Light and Ventilation

Kansas City Code ch. 56, art. II, div. 3, subpt. VII

in effect

Kansas City Code § 56-231 Natural light in habitable rooms.

Sec. 56-231. - Natural light in habitable rooms. Every habitable room, except basements, shall have at least one window facing directly to the outdoors. The minimum total window area shall be ten percent of the floor area of the room, except in kitchens when artificial light may be provided. Whenever walls or other portions of a structure face a window of any room and such obstructions are located less than three feet from the window and extend to a level above that of the ceiling of the room, such a window shall not be deemed to face directly to the outdoors and shall not be included in the required minimum total window area for the room. (Code of Gen. Ords. 1967, § 20.44; Ord. No. 47717, 4-22-77; Ord. No. 59593, 7-3-86)

Kansas City Code § 56-232 Light in nonhabitable rooms.

Sec. 56-232. - Light in nonhabitable rooms. Every laundry, furnace room, bathroom, water closet compartment and all nonhabitable work spaces located in a building or structure shall have one electric light fixture available at all times. (Code of Gen. Ords. 1967, § 20.45; Ord. No. 47717, 4-22-77; Ord. No. 59593, 7-3-86)

Kansas City Code § 56-233 Light in common halls and stairways.

Sec. 56-233. - Light in common halls and stairways. Every common hall and inside stairway in every building or structure, other than single-family dwellings, shall be adequately lighted at all times. (Code of Gen. Ords. 1967, § 20.46; Ord. No. 47717, 4-22-77; Ord. No. 59593, 7-3-86)

Kansas City Code § 56-234 Electric outlets required.

Sec. 56-234. - Electric outlets required. Where there is electric service available to the building, every habitable room of a dwelling or multiple dwelling shall contain at least two separate and remote outlets, one of which may be a ceiling or wall-type electric light fixture. In kitchens, three separate and remote wall-type electric convenience outlets or two such convenience outlets and one ceiling or wall-type electric light fixture shall be provided. In every bathroom and laundry room there shall be provided at least one electric outlet. (Code of Gen. Ords. 1967, § 20.47; Ord. No. 47717, 4-22-77; Ord. No. 59593, 7-3-86)

Kansas City Code § 56-235 Ventilation.

Sec. 56-235. - Ventilation. Every room shall have at least one window which can be easily opened, or such other system that will adequately ventilate the room. The total openable window area in such room shall be equal to at least 45 percent of the minimum window area required by this code. (Code of Gen. Ords. 1967, § 20.48; Ord. No. 47717, 4-22-77; Ord. No. 59593, 7-3-86)

Source: City of Kansas City, Missouri, Code of Ordinances, Charter and Zoning and Development Code (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/mo/kansas_city/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COORKAMIVOII_CH56PRMACO_ARTIIREPR_DIV3MIENOCSPRE_SDVIILIVEFetched: 10/28/2026