Ceiling height for habitable space.

[Redoverfarm]

I know this has crossed the board before but I can't locate it under the search feature.  A friend is trying to define his area of a loft as either habitable or non habitable space.  I believe it was as defined by height.  Anyone have a clue?   If you just know what publication or code then he can research it.

[Don_P]

Height does not define a habitable space, but, if it is intended to be a habitable space vs say a storage area, then the ceiling height needs to be 7' or greater. If, it is a required habitable space, then, at least 50% of the required area of the room needs to be 7' with the rest of the required area over 5'.

R304, 305
http://codes.iccsafe.org/app/book/content/VA/2012_VA_Residential_HTML/Chapter%203.html

See definition of habitable space here;
http://codes.iccsafe.org/app/book/content/VA/2012_VA_Residential_HTML/Chapter%202.html

If it's what I think it is... light storage 

[Redoverfarm]

Thanks for taking the time Don_P.  Before I could get back to my original post I had found the answer in a 2009 edition.    I don't believe they changed it since then and sounds basically the same.  I will give him the code sections and leave it at that.   

[SouthernTier]

I had to redesign my (still unbuilt) loft because of the arcane code requirements for the loft headroom (see http://countryplans.com/smf/index.php?topic=12801.msg166814#msg166814) 

My reading was that the loft room had to be >70 ft2 as defined as ceiling height >5' for sloping roof rooms and that >50% that area was more than 7' tall.

So I guess the only thing I am adding here is the minimum 70 ft2 in order for it to be habitable.

I had to jump through a lot of hoops design-wise to get this while still satisfying my self-imposed constraints of (1) no kneewall or let-in ledgerboard, (2) 22' cabin width, and (3) rafters no longer than 16'

[Redoverfarm]

I had to redesign my (still unbuilt) loft because of the arcane code requirements for the loft headroom (see http://countryplans.com/smf/index.php?topic=12801.msg166814#msg166814) 

My reading was that the loft room had to be >70 ft2 as defined as ceiling height >5' for sloping roof rooms and that >50% that area was more than 7' tall.

So I guess the only thing I am adding here is the minimum 70 ft2 in order for it to be habitable.

I had to jump through a lot of hoops design-wise to get this while still satisfying my self-imposed constraints of (1) no kneewall or let-in ledgerboard, (2) 22' cabin width, and (3) rafters no longer than 16'

They really put it to you.  70 feet is mighty tall. LOL Just kidding I know what you meant.  Thanks for the reply.  They would go completely bonkers if they were at my cabin.  But thank goodness they are not and plan to keep it that way.