14 DCMR § 14-602
SHARED BATHROOMS
Operative Text
602.1 Each dwelling unit shall contain a lavatory, water closet, and bathing facility for the exclusive use of the occupants of that dwelling unit, except that roomers renting space within a dwelling unit shall be permitted to share the use of the water closet, lavatory and bathing facility to the extent authorized by this section. 602.2 Where the occupants of a dwelling unit and one or more rooming units share a water closet, lavatory, and bathing facilities, at least one lavatory, one water closet, and one bathing facility shall be provided for the use of each six (6) occupants of the rooming unit or units. 602.3 Where the occupants of one or more rooming units share a water closet, lavatory, and bathing facilities, at least one lavatory, one water closet, and one bathing facility shall be provided for the use of each six (6) occupants of the rooming unit or units. 602.4 For the purpose of determining the number of occupants for whom a water closet, lavatory, and bathing facilities are to be provided as required by this section, the determination shall be made on the basis of one (1) occupant for each single or 3/4 bed and two (2) occupants for each double bed in dwelling units or rooming units the occupants of which share the same water closet, lavatory, and bathing facility, except as provided in § 602.5. 602.5 The Director may accept the affidavit of the owner, licensee, or operator to establish the actual number of occupants where it is claimed that double beds are of single occupancy. 602.6 For the purpose of determining the number of water closets, lavatories, and bathing facilities to be provided for the use of the occupants of dwelling units or rooming units required to share any water closet, lavatory, or bathing facility, the number of occupants sharing the facilities shall be divided by four (4) or six (6). Any fractional part of a group of four (4) or six (6) shall be considered a full group, and the facilities shall be provided for the use of the fractional part of a group as if the occupants constituting that fractional part constitute a full group.
D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 et seq. § 14-602 establishes minimum bathroom requirements for dwelling units and rooming units in the District of Columbia. As a general rule, each dwelling unit must have its own lavatory, water closet, and bathing facility, though roomers sharing space within a unit may share those facilities under specific conditions. When shared facilities are permitted, the regulation requires at least one complete set of bathroom fixtures for every six occupants, with occupancy counted based on bed type—one occupant per single or three-quarter bed and two per double bed, unless an owner affidavit establishes otherwise.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of rooming houses or shared-occupancy properties in the District must structure their facilities to comply with D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 et seq. § 14-602, which sets a ratio of one full bathroom set per six occupants sharing facilities. Compliant operators typically count occupancy based on bed configuration—crediting one occupant per single or three-quarter bed and two per double—and apply the rounding rule that any fractional group counts as a full group when calculating required fixtures. Where double beds are claimed to be single-occupancy, operators may submit an affidavit to the Director to establish the actual occupant count.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 et seq. § 14-602, tenants in rooming units or shared-occupancy dwellings have a right to bathroom facilities that meet the prescribed occupant-to-fixture ratios—generally one lavatory, water closet, and bathing facility for every six occupants sharing those amenities. If a tenant believes the property does not meet these standards, options may include filing a complaint with the District of Columbia's housing inspection authorities or raising the violation as a defense in relevant housing proceedings. Tenant-rights organizations in the District can provide general information about how these provisions are typically enforced and what documentation may be useful.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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