Can I fix this illegal bedroom issue in a MFH?

[Jennifer T.]

Hi all,

I'm about to be under contract for a MFH when I suddenly realized that the bedroom in one of the ground floor units doesn't have a window (my fault as there was a tenant living there so I rushed through the viewing). All of the walls are adjacent to/shared by the neighbors so I can't put a window in. This is a row home in Philly. 

Do all bedrooms (even in old houses) need to have a window to be considered a bedroom? Any work arounds? The deal is very good so I'd like to try and make it work!

Thank you in advance!

[Ronald Allen Barney]

Seller is required to disclose code violations.  A quick fix may be to reclassify the space as a closet but it's worth running it by a real estate attorney in your state.  

Bedroom Building Codes

(check your state for exceptions to International Residential Code):

• Size – Single-occupancy bedrooms should have at least 70 square feet of floor space, with a minimum of 7 feet in one direction. At least half of the ceiling must be at least seven feet tall. For each additional person occupying the same room, add 50 more square feet.
• Access – The bedroom must be accessible from the hallway or other common space, not through another bedroom.
• Egress – Egress are emergency exits. Unless the bedroom has a door that connects to the outdoors, at least one of the windows should be at least 24 inches tall by 20 inches wide. The window opening should be at least 5.7 square feet. The window can’t be installed more than 44 inches above the floor, but not lower than 24 inches to prevent children from climbing onto it.
• Lighting and Ventilation – The windows must have a total combined glass area of at least 8% of the floor area, and the combined opened window area should be at least 4%. This means your windows should open at least halfway.
• Electrical Outlets – A bedroom must have at least two.
• Heating – The heating system must be able to keep the bedroom warm by at least 68 degrees.