Taylorville CHAPTER 6 RENTAL PROPERTY § 9-6-4
MINIMUM SPACE, USE AND LOCATION REQUIREMENTS
Operative Text
No person shall occupy or let to another for occupancy any dwelling or dwelling unit for the purpose of living therein which does not comply with the following requirements: A. Every dwelling unit shall contain at least one hundred fifty (150) square feet of floor space for the first occupancy thereof and at least one hundred (100) additional square feet of floor space for every additional occupant thereof; the floor space to be calculated on the basis of total habitable room area. B. In every dwelling unit of two (2) or more rooms, every room occupied for sleeping purposes by one occupant shall contain at least seventy (70) square feet of floor space, and every room occupied for sleeping purposes by more than one occupant shall contain at least fifty (50) square feet of each floor space for each occupant thereof. C. No dwelling containing two (2) or more dwelling units shall have such room arrangements that access to a bathroom or water closet compartment can be had only by going through another dwelling unit nor shall room arrangements be such that access to a sleeping room can be had only by going through another dwelling unit. D. At least one-half ( 1 / 2 ) of the floor area of every habitable room shall have a ceiling height of at least seven feet (7'), and the floor area of that part of any room where the ceiling height is less than five feet (5') shall not be considered as part of the floor area in computing the total floor area of the room for the purpose of determining the maximum permissible occupancy thereof. E. No basement or cellar space shall be used as a habitable room or dwelling unit unless: 1. The floor and walls are protected against leakage of underground and surface runoff water and are protected against dampness; 2. The total of window area in each room is equal to the minimum window area sizes as required in this Chapter; 3. Such required minimum window area is located entirely above the grade of the ground adjoining such window area; and 4. The total of openable window area in each room is equal to the minimum as required under this Chapter except where there is supplied some other device affording adequate ventilation and approved by the Health and Building Officer. (1979 Code Ch. 18, Art. VIII, §8)
Taylorville CHAPTER 6 RENTAL PROPERTY § 9-6-4 establishes minimum space, layout, and location standards that every dwelling unit must meet before it can be occupied or rented. The rule sets specific square-footage floors based on the number of occupants and the purpose of each room, requires that sleeping rooms and bathrooms be accessible without passing through another dwelling unit, mandates minimum ceiling heights for habitable rooms, and restricts the use of basement or cellar space as living quarters unless specific moisture, window, and ventilation conditions are satisfied. No dwelling or dwelling unit that fails any of these requirements may lawfully be occupied or rented out.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 9-6-4, compliant operators generally verify that each unit provides at least 150 square feet of habitable floor area for the first occupant and 100 additional square feet for each subsequent occupant before executing a lease or allowing move-in. They also confirm that sleeping rooms meet the per-occupant minimums, that no bathroom or sleeping room is accessible only through another unit, that habitable rooms satisfy the ceiling-height formula, and that any basement or cellar space used for living meets all four moisture, window, and ventilation conditions listed in the provision. Keeping documentation of floor measurements, ceiling heights, and any approved ventilation devices can help demonstrate ongoing compliance with § 9-6-4.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section § 9-6-4 gives occupants a baseline expectation that their dwelling unit will meet defined minimums for floor space, room accessibility, ceiling height, and — if the unit is below grade — moisture control and ventilation. If a unit appears to fall short of these standards, tenants may consider contacting Taylorville's Health and Building Officer, who is specifically referenced in the provision as an approving authority, or reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization for guidance on available options. A violation of § 9-6-4's requirements may also be relevant to other remedies available under local housing law, and consulting a housing attorney or legal aid organization can help clarify what paths exist.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 11, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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