Carbondale Title 4 Ch. 4 Housing Code § 4-4-11
STANDARDS FOR SPACE, USE AND LOCATION
Operative Text
No person shall own or occupy or let to another for occupancy any dwelling or dwelling unit, intended for the purpose of living therein, which does not comply with the following requirements: A. Minimum Space In Dwelling Units: The minimum habitable room space of any dwelling unit shall be not less than one hundred fifty (150) square feet of floor area for the first occupant and not less than an additional one hundred (100) square feet of floor area for every additional occupant. B. Minimum Space In Sleeping Rooms: Every room occupied for sleeping purposes by one occupant shall have a minimum floor area of at least seventy (70) square feet. Every room occupied for sleeping purposes by more than one occupant shall contain at least fifty (50) square feet of floor area for each occupant. C. Access To Bathrooms And Sleeping Rooms: Any dwelling or dwelling unit containing two (2) or more sleeping rooms shall have such room arrangement so as to provide access to a bathroom or water closet compartment so as to permit persons using each of such sleeping rooms to have access to a bathroom or water closet compartment without the necessity of passing through another sleeping room and shall further have such room arrangement so as to provide access to each sleeping room so as to permit persons using such sleeping room to have access thereto without the necessity of passing through another sleeping room or through any bathroom or water closet compartment. D. Height Requirements: At least one-half ( 1 / 2 ) the floor area of every habitable room shall have a ceiling height of at least seven feet (7'). The floor area of that part of any room where the ceiling height is less than five feet (5') shall not be considered as a part of the floor area in computing the total floor area of the room for the purpose of determining the minimum permissible occupancy thereof. E. Rooms Below Grade: Basements may be used as dwelling units if they meet the light, ventilation, heating, egress and all other applicable portions of the Housing Code. No basement space shall be deemed fit for or used as a habitable room or dwelling unit unless the floor and walls thereof are impervious to leakage of underground and surface runoff water and dampness. (Ord. 84-103; 1998 Code)
Carbondale Title 4 Ch. 4 Housing Code § 4-4-11 establishes minimum physical standards for any dwelling or dwelling unit used for human habitation. These standards cover the minimum square footage required per occupant in living and sleeping spaces, ceiling height thresholds, bathroom access arrangements that avoid routing people through other sleeping rooms, and conditions under which basement spaces may legally serve as habitable rooms. No dwelling may be owned, occupied, or rented out unless it meets all of these requirements simultaneously.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Carbondale Title 4 Ch. 4 Housing Code § 4-4-11, compliant property operators generally verify that each unit provides at least 150 square feet of habitable space for the first occupant and 100 additional square feet for each subsequent occupant, and that every sleeping room meets the applicable per-occupant floor area minimums. Operators also confirm that multi-sleeping-room layouts allow independent access to bathrooms and each bedroom without passing through another sleeping room. Basement units require particular attention, as they must satisfy all Housing Code requirements for light, ventilation, heating, egress, and must have floors and walls that are impervious to water intrusion and dampness before they can lawfully be offered for occupancy.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Carbondale Title 4 Ch. 4 Housing Code § 4-4-11 gives occupants the right to live in a space that meets defined minimums for room size, sleeping area, ceiling height, bathroom access, and — if applicable — basement habitability. If a unit appears to fall short of these standards, tenants may consider documenting the conditions and contacting the local code enforcement or housing authority to request an inspection. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with Carbondale's Housing Code can help residents understand what options are generally available, including raising a code violation as a defense in certain housing proceedings.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 10, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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