Statutes, codes, and regulations
District Of Columbia Administrative Code
Title 12 - CONSTRUCTION CODES SUPPLEMENT OF 2017Subtitle 12-A - BUILDING CODE SUPPLEMENT OF 2017
Chapter 12-A12 - INTERIOR ENVIRONMENT
Rule 12-A1205 - LIGHTING

D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 12, r. 12-A1205

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Current through Register Vol. 71, No. 49, December 6, 2024
Rule 12-A1205 - LIGHTING

Strike Section 1205.1 of the International Building Code in its entirety and insert new Section 1205.1 in its place in the Building Code to read as follows:

1205.1

General. Every space intended for human occupancy shall be provided with natural light by means of exterior glazed openings in accordance with Section 1205.2 or shall be provided with artificial light in accordance with Section 1205.3.

Exceptions: Artificial light shall not be used to meet the lighting requirements for bedrooms, living rooms and sleeping units.

Strike Section 1205.2 of the International Building Code in its entirety and insert new Section 1205.2 in its place in the Building Code to read as follows:

1205.2

Natural light. The minimum net glazed area shall be not less than 8 percent of the floor area of the room or rooms served. At least 50 percent of required glazing shall be clear glass; it is permissible for the remainder of the required glazing to be obscure glass, glass block or other approved translucent material.

1205.2.1

Adjoining spaces. For the purpose of natural lighting, any room is permitted to be considered as a portion of an adjoining room where one - half of the area of the common wall provides an opening of not less than one-tenth of the floor area of the interior room or 25 square feet (2.32 m2), whichever is greater.

1. It is permissible for glazing to fill a portion or all of the required opening between adjoining spaces.
2. It is permissible to install doors in openings between adjoining spaces. However, opaque portions of doors shall not contribute to meeting the minimum opening requirement of not less than one-tenth of the floor area of the interior room or 25 square feet (2.32 m2), whichever is greater.

Exceptions: Openings required for natural light shall be allowed to open into a sunroom with thermal isolation or a patio cover where the common wall provides a glazed area of no t less than one-tenth of the floor area of the interior room or 20 square feet (1.86 m2), whichever is greater.

1205.2.2

Exterior openings. Exterior openings required by Section 1205.2 for natural light shall open directly onto a public way, yard or court, as set forth in Section 1206.

Exceptions:

1. Required exterior openings are permitted to open into a roofed porch where the porch:
1.1. Abuts a public way, yard or court;
1.2. Has a ceiling height of not less than 7 feet (2134 mm); and
1.3. Has a longer side at least 65 percent open and unobstructed.
2. Skylights are not required to open directly onto a public way, yard or court.

D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 12, r. 12-A1205

Final Rulemaking published at 67 DCR 5679 (5/29/2020)