Location generally dictates whether a closet is required to complete a bedroom.
Adding a bedroom to a home is a great way to utilize unused space, such as a basement or attic. Moreover, this type of project will increase a home's value in most markets as well as the potential buyer pool when it comes time to sell. Some confusion exists, however, as to what exactly constitutes a bedroom. Most modern home buyers expect such a space to contain a closet, though most building codes contain no such requirement. Does this Spark an idea?
State Building Codes
Building codes are strict regulations set by state agencies that dictate building standards. These codes outline everything from plumbing and electrical to window size and smoke detector requirements, and will vary by state. You must follow these codes when building a new home or adding on to an existing structure, including the addition of a closet. In most states, building codes do not outline bedroom closet requirements, meaning that spaces without closets may still be a bedroom. It is important to remember that, although most modern homes come standard with bedroom closets, some homes built as recently as the 1950s and '60s were not always equipped with bedroom spaces and most building codes take this under consideration.
Tax Appraisal Requirements
These regulations are utilized for tax purposes and will, for the most part, align closely with state building codes when it comes to bedrooms. Again, they vary from state to state, and will usually require a bedroom to have temperature controls; heating is almost universal, while air conditioning may or may not be necessary. Additionally, newer homes must have a functioning smoke detector in each bedroom. Unlike building codes, however, a tax appraiser will almost always require a closet be present in order to consider a space a bedroom, though the size of the bedroom and closet may vary. In older homes, where closets may not have been standard, this is usually a judgment call on the part of the appraiser.
Multiple Listing Service
A multiple listing service, or MLS, is associated with a realtor. It is the most useful when a home goes on the market. Specifically, a realtor determines what constitutes a bedroom. The realtor makes these determinations based on structure and aesthetic, and will most likely require a closet be present, particularly in new homes. In older homes, the realtor will make the final determination.
Closet Measurements
Since it is generally expected, adding a closet to a new bedroom is most often worth the extra effort. A closet depth of at least 24 inches is standard, and will work for most clothing items and hangers. Width is the most significant, as closets may be just a few feet, or span the whole room. A common rule of thumb is to provide approximately 48 inches of rod space for each person who will use the closet. Shelves should be a minimum of 11 inches deep, though 15 inches is preferable.
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