§ 16.24.380. Light.

A.

Habitable Spaces. In residential occupancies, every habitable space shall have at least one window of approved size facing directly to the outdoors or to a court. The minimum total glazed area for every habitable space shall be eight percent of the floor area of such room. Wherever a wall or other obstructions face a window of a habitable space and such obstruction is located less than three feet from the window and extends to a level above that of the ceiling of the habitable space, such window shall not be deemed to face directly to the outdoors nor to a court and shall not be included as contributing to the required minimum total window area for the habitable space.

EXCEPTION: Where natural light for rooms or spaces without exterior glazing areas is provided through an adjoining room, the unobstructed opening to the adjoining room shall be at least eight percent of the floor area of the interior room or space, but not less than twenty-five square feet. The exterior glazing area shall be based on the total floor area being served.

B.

Common Halls and Stairways. Every common hall and stairway in residential occupancies, other than in one- and two-family dwellings, shall be lighted at all times with at least a sixty watt standard incandescent light bulb or an equivalent compact fluorescent light (CFL), light emitting diode (LED), or other form of lighting of equal illumination for each two hundred square feet of floor area of said common hall or stairway, provided that the spacing between lights shall not be greater than thirty feet. In other than residential occupancies, means of egress, including exterior means of egress stairways, shall be illuminated at all times with a minimum of one foot candle at floors, landings, and treads.

C.

Other Spaces. All other spaces in residential and nonresidential buildings and structures shall be provided with natural or artificial light sufficient to permit the maintenance of sanitary conditions, the safe occupancy thereof, and the safe utilization of the appliances, equipment, and fixtures.

(Ord. BL2010-652 § 1, 2010; Ord. BL2001-585 § 1 (part), 2001)