Background: My house had a partially finished basement (done by the previous homeowner) that I want to add a bathroom to. I already had the plumbing rough - in done this winter when the sewer main was replaced, so I had to decide then where to put the pipes for toilet, lav, and shower.
I went today to get a permit to put up the walls around it and to do the electrical work.
Electrical permit was no problem; I passed their test and they discussed my plans, then told me to have their inspector out before covering up work.
The Problem: As for the building permit, the permit office told me that I have a problem with ceiling height; ceilings in habitable spaces may be no shorter than 7 feet, while ours is 6'9". This could be averted though as we could apply, then have our application rejected then appeal for deviance from the rules with a separate office.
When we were chatting more I mentioned that the proposed bathroom area has the house's main wood beam running through it. This is 6'0 from the floor. According to the national code he says no beams may be less than 6'6".
My question: Is the bathroom subject to the 6'6" limitation since bathrooms aren't technically habitable space, or is the 6'6" a minimum anywhere?
Technically then I shouldn't be able to access my washer/dryer then either since to get to my laundry room I must walk under a duct that sits at 5'11.5"?
Trying to decide if we should go for the permit again (if the bathroom isn't subject to the ceiling height thing) or to the stupid (but not impossible) alternative - no permit. FYI I am still doing electrical / plumbing permits and inspections; ironically those aren't as bad as building in this case!
Thanks.
I went today to get a permit to put up the walls around it and to do the electrical work.
Electrical permit was no problem; I passed their test and they discussed my plans, then told me to have their inspector out before covering up work.
The Problem: As for the building permit, the permit office told me that I have a problem with ceiling height; ceilings in habitable spaces may be no shorter than 7 feet, while ours is 6'9". This could be averted though as we could apply, then have our application rejected then appeal for deviance from the rules with a separate office.
When we were chatting more I mentioned that the proposed bathroom area has the house's main wood beam running through it. This is 6'0 from the floor. According to the national code he says no beams may be less than 6'6".
My question: Is the bathroom subject to the 6'6" limitation since bathrooms aren't technically habitable space, or is the 6'6" a minimum anywhere?
Technically then I shouldn't be able to access my washer/dryer then either since to get to my laundry room I must walk under a duct that sits at 5'11.5"?
Trying to decide if we should go for the permit again (if the bathroom isn't subject to the ceiling height thing) or to the stupid (but not impossible) alternative - no permit. FYI I am still doing electrical / plumbing permits and inspections; ironically those aren't as bad as building in this case!
Thanks.