If you are planning to convert your basement or your attic into a habitable space, your finished design will have to meet the standards set by the local Minimum Housing Code, or the Housing Quality Standards set by HUD, before you will be given a building permit. The finished space must have:

• A floor that is intact and in good condition, weather tight and without holes or cracks, reasonably smooth and firmly affixed to the sub-floor materials.
  
  
• Ceilings that are properly supported by joists in good condition, with no holes or cracks, and made of standard building materials, that are at least 7 feet above the finished floor in at least 50% of the space
  
  
• Light provided by windows that cover a certain proportion of the wall space
  
  
• Interior finishes that are free of holes and cracks, and made of standard building materials
  
  
• Electrical receptacles, fixtures and switches that are firmly fixed, all in good condition and safe
  
  
• Ventilation (windows or mechanical vents) capable of providing one air change every thirty minutes, and a source of heat

The amount of floor area required for the finished room is dependent upon the number of persons who will use the room. The requirements vary from 150 square feet for use by a single person to 700 or more square feet for use by 6 or more persons.

If you are going to try to make a separate apartment out of your basement or your attic, you'll need to look more closely at the additional requirements, and be sure that the local zoning ordinance will allow for that extra dwelling unit on your lot.

Contact the municipal zoning code administrator for a copy of the ordinance that will govern the work you plan to do.

MORE INFORMATION

You’ll find lots more information about the home remodeling process in Managing a Renovation: Staying in Charge and Out of Trouble, our friendly and comprehensive homeowner’s guide to remodeling project management. Download the table of contents and a sample chapter, or go to the order form to purchase it.

We offer ready-to-use construction forms, including a complete remodeling contract, in our Bookstore, as well. Have a look.

And, you may want to look at our list of More Resources for some great design ideas.

  Site design by: Lee Ann Obringer, Marketing Communications and Design