How does Calvert County define a bedroom?

[Woostar]

So I'm looking to renovate an unfinished room in my house, adding a bathroom and a closet and turning the rest into a large family room area.

I'm planning on doing this by the book, so thus far I think I'll need to get a permit to add a bathroom, along with plumbing and electrical permits (Looks like those have to be pros, not just me with a DIY book). Doesn't look like I specifically need a permit just to finish the family room/closet (please correct me if I'm wrong).

Edited for clarity:
I think I wasn't clear in my question. I want to build a family room. I'd like a closet for storage. Would my plans make the county think I'm trying to sneak in a bedroom?

 

[mAlice]

So I'm looking to renovate an unfinished room in my house, adding a bathroom and a closet and turning the rest into a large family room area.

I'm planning on doing this by the book, so thus far I think I'll need to get a permit to add a bathroom, along with plumbing and electrical permits (Looks like those have to be pros, not just me with a DIY book). Doesn't look like I specifically need a permit just to finish the family room/closet (please correct me if I'm wrong). I would turn the family room area into a potential bedroom, but my septic tank's too small for it to be legal .

Here's my question: How does the county define a bedroom? I think the legal definition is a closet and a window and the space has both. I don't want to run into a roadblock if they think I'm trying to get away with something. (First time doing major work, can you tell? )

It has to have a closet to be considered a bedroom. Stick an armoire in it instead of building a closet. That's all I've got, as I'm on city water.

 

[cattitude]

I didn't think it had to have a closet but a window is a requirement..at least that's what I've always been told.

 

[Chasey_Lane]

I didn't think it had to have a closet but a window is a requirement..

You must have an "escape route" (window) in order for a room to be considered a bedroom.

 

[Woostar]

I think I wasn't clear in my question. I want to build a family room. I'd like a closet for storage. Would my plans make the county think I'm trying to sneak in a bedroom?

 

[Woostar]

I appreciate the assessment info-- didn't know that it was a subjective thing.

I called the health department already re: septic regulations and they said bathrooms don't matter, just bedrooms. Guess they'll tell me if they've changed their minds when I apply for the permit.

If this is the case, the health department will not issue a permit to add another bathroom...

As an appraiser, market conditions depict on what I count as a bedroom. In a 150 year old house that hasn't been renovated, it is common for bedrooms not to have closet space.

In most cases, a bedroom has a closet, a window, is enclosed, has adequate space and ceiling height. All of these are up for interpretation as an appraisal is an opinion of value as in any thing else, opinions vary. Example- a 3x4 room with a 10' ceiling and a window is not going to be called a bedroom in most of my appraisals.

Most appraisals follow FHA standards, which has this to say about windows but nothing is defined as far as closets:

FHA, page 20 of this link:

http://www.hud.gov/offices/adm/hudclips/handbooks/hsgh/4150.2/41502c3HSGH.pdf

6. Bedroom Egress
All bedrooms must have adequate egress to the exterior of the home. If an enclosed patio (solid walls) covers the bedroom window, it is possible that the bedroom won't qualify as a habitable bedroom. Security bars are acceptable if they comply with local fire codes. Occupants of a bedroom must be able to get outside the home if there is a fire.

If it is in the basement, page 3 of the same above link:

B. BASEMENT BEDROOMS, BASEMENT APARTMENTS
As a rule basement space does not count as habitable space. If the bedroom does not have proper light and ventilation, the room can not be included in the gross living area. The following requirements apply to the valuation of below-grade rooms:
o The windowsill may not be higher than 44 inches from the floor.
o The windowsill must have a net clear opening (width x height) of at least 24 inches by 36 inches.
o The window should be at ground level; however, compensating factors may allow less.

In all cases, use reasonable care and judgment. If these standards are not substantially met, the basement area cannot be counted as habitable space.

 

[betty99]

I appreciate the assessment info-- didn't know that it was a subjective thing.

I called the health department already re: septic regulations and they said bathrooms don't matter, just bedrooms. Guess they'll tell me if they've changed their minds when I apply for the permit.

From what I understand, bathrooms don't count, bedrooms do, because they determine that the number of people who "could" live there based on the number of bedrooms dictate how many people would tax the septic system. Window makes it a bedroom. Not sure about the closet.

 

[Otter]

From what I understand, bathrooms don't count, bedrooms do, because they determine that the number of people who "could" live there based on the number of bedrooms dictate how many people would tax the septic system. Window makes it a bedroom. Not sure about the closet.

Had an appraiser tell me that a bedroom had to have 2 points of egress..be it a door and a window, or 2 doors. Granted this was at least 10 yrs ago, so maybe the regs changed.

 

[Gilligan]

And...in addition to the window and closet requirements, it must have its own unique entrance from a common traffic area (we call them 'hallways' usually..;-p). I have a bedroom in my 1800s house that has windows and a (tiny, added later) closet, but it still did not count as a bedroom because you had to got through it to get to another bedroom.

Another door cut through a wall to a different hallway solved the 'definition' issue.