14 DCMR § 14-504
LIGHTING OF BATHROOMS
Operative Text
504.1 Each bathroom shall be naturally or artificially lighted at least equivalent to the requirements of this section. 504.2 A naturally lighted bathroom shall have a glass area consisting of one or more of the following: (a) Windows; (b) Skylights; (c) Transoms; or (d) Other glass construction, except glazed doors. 504.3 The glass area shall face directly to the outside, and shall transmit natural light equivalent to that which would be transmitted by a clear glass area at least equal to one tenth (1/10) of the floor area served. 504.4 No glass area shall contain less than four square feet (4 ft.2). 504.5 Obscure glass, glass blocks, or other approved translucent material may be used to transmit up to fifty percent (50%) of the required natural light. 504.6 The sash area of openable windows or transoms, the horizontal projection of the glass area of skylights, and in all other instances the gross glass area, shall be used in computing the required glass area. 504.7 Any portion of any glass area facing directly on any wall, portion of a structure, or other light obstruction less than three feet (3 ft.) from that glass area, shall not be included as contributing to the required natural light. 504.8 Artificially lighted bathrooms shall be illuminated with a minimum of ten (10) foot candles measured at floor level at any point on the open floor space.
Under D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 et seq. § 14-504, every bathroom in a residential dwelling must receive adequate lighting, either through natural sources or artificial means. Naturally lit bathrooms must have qualifying glass areas—such as windows, skylights, or transoms—that face directly outside and collectively equal at least one-tenth of the bathroom's floor area, with no single glass area smaller than four square feet. Artificially lit bathrooms must achieve a minimum of ten foot-candles of illumination measured at floor level throughout the open floor space. The regulation sets specific rules for how glass area is calculated, including exclusions for obstructions within three feet of the glass.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating in the District of Columbia should ensure that every bathroom in their units meets the lighting standards set out in D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 et seq. § 14-504. Compliant operators typically verify that naturally lit bathrooms have qualifying glass areas—windows, skylights, or transoms—that are unobstructed, face the exterior, and meet the one-tenth floor-area ratio, with each glass area being at least four square feet. For bathrooms relying on artificial lighting, operators generally confirm that illumination reaches at least ten foot-candles at floor level across all open floor space, and they document inspections to demonstrate ongoing compliance.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants living in District of Columbia rental units have a right to bathrooms that meet the lighting standards established by D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 et seq. § 14-504, whether through sufficient natural glass area or artificial illumination of at least ten foot-candles at floor level. If a bathroom appears to lack adequate lighting—for example, windows that are too small, blocked, or absent, or artificial lighting that seems insufficient—tenants may document the condition with photographs and measurements. General enforcement paths available to tenants include filing a housing code complaint with the District of Columbia's housing inspection authority, raising the violation in any relevant housing proceeding, or reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization for guidance on next steps.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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