Mount Carmel — Ch. 12 Housing § 12-91
Basement space
Operative Text
No basement and/or cellar space shall be used as a habitable room or dwelling unit unless: (1) The floor and walls are impervious to leakage of underground and surface runoff water and are insulated against dampness. (2) The total of the window area in each room is equal to at least the minimum window area sizes required under section 12-66 , except where there is supplied some other device affording adequate ventilation and approved by the city inspector. (3) The clear inner height is at least six feet eight inches and no pipes and beams are below six feet from lower level.
Mount Carmel Ch. 12 Housing § 12-91 establishes the minimum conditions under which basement or cellar space may legally be used as a habitable room or dwelling unit. To qualify, the floor and walls must resist water intrusion and dampness, each room must meet the window-area standards set in § 12-66 (or have an approved alternative ventilation device), and the interior ceiling clearance must be at least six feet eight inches with no pipes or beams hanging below six feet. Spaces that do not meet all three conditions are not permitted to be occupied as living quarters.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers in Mount Carmel who rent or offer basement or cellar space as habitable rooms must ensure full compliance with § 12-91 before any occupancy occurs. A compliant operator typically documents that walls and floors are waterproofed and insulated against dampness, confirms that window areas meet the § 12-66 minimums or secures city inspector approval for an alternative ventilation device, and verifies that ceiling clearance and overhead clearance from pipes and beams meet the stated height requirements. Operators generally keep records of any city inspector approvals related to ventilation alternatives as part of their compliance documentation.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Mount Carmel Ch. 12 Housing § 12-91, tenants living in a basement or cellar unit have a right to space that meets specific habitability standards, including water-resistant walls and floors, adequate window area or approved ventilation, and minimum ceiling and overhead clearance. If a unit appears to fall short of these requirements — for example, showing signs of persistent dampness or having insufficient ceiling height — tenants may consider raising the violation with the city's housing inspection office or noting it as a potential defense in relevant housing proceedings. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with Mount Carmel's housing code can help explain what options may be available under § 12-91.
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.
Effective Timeline
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation