Space Standards

Space standards focus on the amount of space in a dwelling. While early 19th-century space standards were often expressed in cubic feet of air space, today's space standards are typically defined in floor space. These standards may be expressed as minimum square footage or meters squared per person, minimum square footage for the dwelling, or minimum sizes for rooms. Alternatively, occupancy standards are usually defined as persons per bedroom in the dwelling unit and may be specifically in terms of space for children or adults. Some standards depend on how people are related to each other, limiting the number of unrelated people living in a dwelling unit. Crowding occurs when the space or occupancy standards are exceeded and is typically defined by persons per room or bedroom. Density is a related concept and refers to the number of housing units per measure of land.

Space standards can be legally binding. The purpose of these standards is to promote safe and healthy housing that is in the best interest of the community. Most building codes define minimum square footages in rooms or the total dwelling unit. For example, the model 2009 International Residential Building Code requires one room to have a minimum area of 120 square feet and all other rooms (except the kitchen) to have a minimum area of 70 square feet. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Minimum Property Standards, used for all HUD program housing, requires adherence to model, state, or local building codes that incorporate space standards. Zoning ordinances are used by local communities to control land use and development. A zoning ordinance commonly identifies a minimum square footage for a building's footprint, but may also specify a maximum square footage or a neighborhood density that will affect unit size. Various other community land use planning tools, such as planned unit developments, comprehensive plans, subdivision regulations, and historic districts, may include minimum or maximum size requirements for dwelling units. Restrictive covenants, attached to the property deed, may also include square footage requirements, either minimum or maximum.

Space standards in codes and covenants address the quantity of space in a dwelling, but generally not how the space is designed or planned to meet the needs of specific residents. Further, minimum space requirements may not fully consider the variety of activities taking place in a home or the diversity of households in American society today. A myriad of factors affect not only the quantity of space needed in the home but also the various types of spaces. Good design is as critical as adequate square footage. A well-designed small home can function better than a poorly planned large home. Likewise, members of one household may find a house plan satisfactory, while members of a different household with different needs could find the same home problematic.

The need for space and how it is used is influenced by multiple factors. Dwelling unit factors include an open plan versus a closed plan, number of levels in the building, interior and exterior views, and amount of storage. There are numerous household factors, including the

...