Lawrence Code of Ordinances ch. 15.12 § 15.12.090
Minimum required space and use thereof
Operative Text
A. Every dwelling unit shall contain at least 150 square feet of floor space for the first occupant, and at least 100 square feet of floor space for each additional occupant, the floor space to be calculated on the basis of total habitable room area. B. In a dwelling unit, every room occupied for sleeping purposes by one occupant shall contain at least 70 square feet of floor space; every room occupied for sleeping purposes by more than one occupant shall contain at least 50 square feet of floor space for each occupant. C. In a rooming unit, every room occupied for sleeping purposes by one occupant shall contain at least 80 square feet of floor space; every room occupied for sleeping purposes by more than one occupant shall contain at least 60 square feet of floor space for each occupant. D. No room shall be considered habitable if more than three-quarters of its floor-to-ceiling height is less than seven feet. E. In computing total floor area for the purpose of determining maximum permissible occupancy, that part of the floor area where the ceiling height is less than five feet shall not be considered. F. No room or area in a dwelling may be used for sleeping if more than half of its floor-to-ceiling height is below the average grade of the adjoining ground; provided, that any such room may be used for sleeping if it has been damp-proofed in accordance with any method approved in writing by the board of health. (See section 15.12.320 .)
Lawrence Code of Ordinances ch. 15.12 § 15.12.090 establishes minimum floor-space requirements tied to the number of occupants in a dwelling unit, with distinct thresholds for sleeping rooms in both dwelling units and rooming units. It also sets ceiling-height standards that determine whether a room counts as habitable and how floor area is measured for occupancy purposes. Additionally, the provision restricts the use of below-grade rooms for sleeping unless they have been damp-proofed through a method approved in writing by the board of health.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of rental housing in Lawrence must ensure that dwelling units and rooming units meet the per-occupant floor-space minimums set out in § 15.12.090 before allowing occupancy at any given level. Compliant operators generally verify that sleeping rooms meet the applicable square-footage thresholds, confirm that ceiling heights satisfy the seven-foot habitable-space standard, and exclude low-ceiling areas from occupancy calculations. Where a below-grade room is intended for sleeping use, operators typically obtain written board-of-health approval of a damp-proofing method before permitting that use.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Lawrence Code of Ordinances ch. 15.12 § 15.12.090, tenants have a right to occupy space that meets minimum size and ceiling-height standards, and to sleep only in rooms that satisfy the provision's floor-area and above-grade requirements. If a unit appears to fall short of these standards—such as an overcrowded layout, a sleeping room that seems undersized, or a basement room lacking board-of-health-approved damp-proofing—tenants can document the conditions and consider raising the violation with Lawrence's code enforcement or housing authority. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with Lawrence housing code can help explain available complaint processes and how a violation of § 15.12.090 might be relevant in a housing dispute.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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