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When does a basement bedroom need an egress window?

Short answer. Whenever the room will be used for sleeping. IRC R310 requires an egress window with at least 5.7 sq ft of net clear opening, 20 inches of width, 24 inches of height, and a sill no more than 44 inches above the floor; calling it a bonus room does not change that.

  • IRC R310

Work it through

You're the contractor. Pick what you'd do, then see how each choice plays out.

Dave Kowalski

Homeowner who wants a deck and basement finished fast

Dave's basement finish includes a bedroom. You're planning the layout and realize there's no window large enough to meet egress requirements.

"Can't we just put in a regular window and call it a 'bonus room' instead of a bedroom?"

  1. Correct

    IRC R310 requires egress windows in all habitable rooms used for sleeping. Minimum: 5.7 sq ft net clear opening, 20" minimum width, 24" minimum height, sill no more than 44" above floor. Calling it a 'bonus room' doesn't change the requirement if it will functionally be used as a bedroom. Inspectors look at the room's characteristics (closet, door, size), not just what you label it on the plan.

  2. Dangerous

    Labeling a room as 'recreation' to avoid egress requirements while knowing it will be used as a bedroom is code evasion. If someone is sleeping in that room during a fire and can't escape because there's no egress window, you're potentially liable for their death. Inspectors know this trick. Building codes exist to save lives. Install the egress window.

All 26 permits, inspections & building codes questions

  1. Who is responsible for permits on a Maryland home improvement job?
  2. Can you skip permits if the homeowner asks you to?
  3. How do you build permit costs into a contract?
  4. Which home projects need a permit in Maryland?
  5. Do cosmetic bathroom refreshes in rentals need permits?
  6. What happens when an inspector finds work without a permit?
  7. What is your liability when unpermitted work fails?
  8. How should you handle a problem the inspector finds?
  9. Why do building inspections happen in stages?
  10. How do you get a building permit approved faster?
  11. Where is fire blocking required under IRC R302.11?
  12. When does a basement bedroom need an egress window?
  13. Where are smoke alarms required after a renovation?
  14. Can a homeowner refuse GFCI outlets in the kitchen?
  15. When does a deck stairway need a handrail?
  16. Does a bathroom need an exhaust fan under the IRC?
  17. How must a deck ledger be attached to the house?
  18. How is energy code compliance checked on an addition?
  19. Does the ADA apply to a single-family bathroom remodel?
  20. When does a retaining wall need an engineered design?
  21. What is required before removing a load-bearing wall?
  22. Can you build a deck over a utility easement?
  23. When does a patio trigger stormwater management in Maryland?
  24. Does a building permit override HOA approval?
  25. How do you take over a job another contractor abandoned?
  26. How do you assess a homeowner's failed DIY renovation?