Colona CHAPTER 2 RENTAL HOUSING1 § 9-2-5-7
VENTILATION
Operative Text
A. Generally: Every habitable room shall have a ventilation system adequate for the purpose for which the room is used. Natural ventilation shall be deemed to be adequate for habitation when the total area openable to the outside air (by means of windows, louvers, monitors or other direct openings excluding doors) is five percent (5%) of the floor area of the habitable room, except that when: 1. Any portion of the room is more than sixteen feet (16') from a required opening, the aggregate clear area of openings shall be not less than six percent (6%). 2. A room has openable areas on two (2) or more sides thereof, the total openable area shall be at least four percent (4%) of the total floor area of such room. 3. The openable area faces a wall or other obstruction at a distance of less than ten feet (10'), the effective area shall be computed at not more than eighty percent (80%) of the actual openable area. 4. The openable area opens onto an enclosed porch, the enclosed porch shall have an openable area of at least three (3) times the total required area of the openings onto such porch. B. Kitchen With Floor Area Of Less Than Seventy Square Feet: A kitchen with a floor area of less than seventy (70) square feet may be without either mechanical or natural ventilation if there is an opening of not less than thirty two (32) square feet between the kitchen and another room in the same family unit and if the room into which the kitchen opens has the ventilation requirements of subsection A above. C. Toilet And Bathroom: Every toilet room and bathroom shall have adequate ventilation which may be either an openable window with an openable area of five percent (5%) of the floor area, mechanical ventilation in compliance with the foregoing requirements of this Section, or a gravity vent flue constructed with incombustible material leading to the roof of the building or a combination of any of these. The gravity vent shall be computed at an aggregate clear area of not less than five percent (5%) of the floor area of the room with a minimum area of at least one hundred twenty (120) square inches. Gravity vents shall be provided with a weather cap, directional vane or rotary-type ventilation on tile roof. (1997 Code)
Colona CHAPTER 2 RENTAL HOUSING § 9-2-5-7 establishes minimum ventilation standards for all habitable rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms in rental housing. Habitable rooms generally must have openings to outside air equal to at least 5% of the floor area, with specific adjustments for room depth, multi-sided openings, obstructions, and enclosed porches. Kitchens under 70 square feet and toilet or bathroom spaces have their own tailored ventilation pathways, including mechanical systems, gravity vent flues, or qualifying openable windows.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of rental properties in Colona should ensure that every habitable room meets the ventilation area thresholds set out in § 9-2-5-7, accounting for the specific adjustment factors—such as room depth exceeding 16 feet, openings on multiple sides, or proximity to obstructions—that modify the baseline 5% floor-area requirement. Bathrooms and toilet rooms must be equipped with at least one compliant ventilation method, whether an openable window, mechanical system, or a properly constructed gravity vent flue with a weather cap or rotary ventilator. Documenting the ventilation configuration of each unit, including measurements and the type of system installed, supports a showing of compliance with this section.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Colona § 9-2-5-7, tenants in rental units are entitled to habitable rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms that meet defined minimum ventilation standards. If a room appears to lack adequate ventilation—for example, windows that cannot open sufficiently or a bathroom with no functioning vent—this provision may be relevant to a housing complaint or code-enforcement request filed with the appropriate local authority. Tenants who believe their unit falls short of these standards may also consider reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization for general information about available options.
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 11, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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