What is the Legal Definition of a Bedroom?

According to Cathy Ericson, a contributor to realtor.com, a bedroom must have these things:

1. At least 70 – 80 square feet.  This size varies from state to state, but anything much smaller will not qualify.
2. Must measure at least 7 feet in any horizontal direction.
3. Two means of egress.  Traditionally, this is a door and an window.
4. At least half of the bedroom ceiling has to be at least 7 feet tall.  You can put a bed in a loft area with less than a 7-foot ceiling if rest of the room has a higher clearance.
5. The window opening must be a minimum size, usually 5.7 square feet.
6. A means of heating a cooling.   Usually this means that you must have a vent for heating.  For cooling, you must be able to open the window, or have AC.

Interestingly enough, legally in most states, a bedroom does not need a closet.  By today’s standards, closets are expected in newer homes and definitely in master bedrooms, but many owners of older homes had to come up with more creative ways to store their clothes.