The criteria for a habitable attic is.
Habitable attic space.
A floor area of 70 square feet or more.
Attic section 202 identifies an attic as that space between the ceiling beams at the top story and the roof rafters.
A common misuse of terminology is the designation of a space as a habitable or occupiable attic.
This is applicable to finished and unfinished spaces.
The new language more clearly defines an attic space that can be considered habitable by mandating compliance to other areas of the code that fall under habitable spaces.
For example a habitable attic space now has to have minimum headroom heights per section r305 a minimum square footage of 70 sq.
Where this area has a floor it would be defined as a story.
Ft and emergency escape and rescue access.
A finished or unfinished attic that has all the makings of a living space is a habitable attic.
Attics that meet the size and ceiling height criteria of the habitable attic definition in chapter 2 are considered habitable.
Habitable attic space must satisfy the same requirements that govern rooms in the rest of the house.
Habitable attics require a vertical access and emergency escape and rescue opening.
To pass code there must be at least 70 square feet where the ceiling height is 5 feet or.
Therefore the attic must be designed up front to support its potential future state.
Many new homes include a space that is designed into the truss system of the roof which can provide a cost effective and easily accessible space for.
Therefore where the conversion of an attic is required for habitable space then the rest of the house would also need to be upgraded if the completed house is to comply with building regulations.
To make the attic space look and feel habitable you need to factor in good sources of natural light and ventilation an attic conversion is one of the most affordable ways to add space to a home.
If you intend to make your attic space a welcoming habitable space you may want to consider skylights dormers with windows or other wall openings to let light and air into the space perhaps even a door and exterior roof deck.