- Introduction
- Acknowledgements
- 1: Getting Ready
- 2: The Costs of Space
- 3: Understanding Credit
- 4: Professional Services
- 5: Finding Space
- 6: Residential Leases
- 7: Commercial and Industrial Leases
- 8: Buying Real Estate
- 9: Types of Mortgages
- 10: The Mortgage Application
- 11: Ownership Models
- 12: Purchasing Alternatives
- 13: Chicago Zoning Ordinance
- 14: Chicago Building Code
- 15: Chicago's Neighborhoods
- 16: Property Taxes
- 17: When You Find a Property
- 18: Inspections
- 19: After Moving In
- 20: Insurance
- 21: Utilities
- 22: Rehabbing Your Space
- 23: Safe and Healthy Spaces
- 24: Green Practice
- 25: When Disputes Arise
- 26: Space Emergencies
- 27: Facility Development Planning
- Bibliography
Attics and Basements
The code allows a lot of latitude in regards to your own single-family home. For the most part, if you want to work in either your existing attic or basement, you are free to do so. However, if you want to improve your property and do a build-out of the space, the rules that govern all rehabilitations and remodels apply.
See the previous sections for information regarding permits, ventilation, natural light requirements, etc., as well as Chapter 22: Rehabbing Your Space. Each project and its requirements must be considered on a case-by-case basis. Consider using a licensed Architect or general contractor.
Additional information pertaining to the use of basements and attics as living or workspace can also be found in the following CBC sections:-
Section 13-196-520 Residential Buildings - Basement Units A basement space used as a habitable room or family unit shall comply with the following:
a) The floor depth below grade is not limited if the floors and walls are impervious to leakage of underground and surface runoff water and are protected against dampness.
b) The required minimum window area is located entirely above the finished elevation of the ground adjoining the building wall in which the windows are located. -
Section 13-64-070 Requirements for Habitable Basement Rooms
A basement may be used for habitable rooms or a dwelling unit, regardless of the depth of the floor below grade, if the floors and walls are impervious to leakage of underground and surface water and are protected from dampness, and if the required minimum window area is located entirely above the finished elevation of the grade adjoining the basement wall. -
Section 13-64-050 states the minimum ceiling height in a habitable room shall not be less than seven feet six inches except as follows:
-Rooms under sloping roofs shall have a minimum ceiling height of seven feet six inches for not less than fifty percent of the floor area having a ceiling height of five feet or more. No portion of the floor area having a ceiling height of less than five feet shall be considered as a part of the required floor area.
-In any room, beams or furred spaces constituting not more than twenty percent of the ceiling area may have a height of not less than seven feet.
Additional considerations to think about include:
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Zoning requirements are separate from the Building Code, so you will need to work with both departments when thinking about rehabbing or converting a space. See Chapter 13: Zoning for additional information.
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Section 13-200-290: Utilization of Existing Space within Residential Buildings as well as Section 13-200-300: Alterations and Repairs. Both of these sections may help you when trying to build out your attic space or basement.
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If you are planning on changing a commercial use storefront into a residential use, also, review the requirements in Section 13-200-150: Change of Commercial Unit to Residential Use.
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Section 13-200-140: Structural Load Stress may restrict some conversions depending on what you are planning to do to the space.
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Section 13-172-110: Ventilation of Special Spaces discusses the rules and requirements of venting roof spaces.