Code of Maine Rules
16 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
642 - BUREAU OF BUILDING CODES AND STANDARDS
Chapter 5 - MAINE UNIFORM BUILDING AND ENERGY CODE AND MAINE UNIFORM BUILDING CODE - RESIDENTIAL BUILDING CODE FOR ONE AND TWO-FAMILY DWELLINGS IN MAINE
2015 International Residential Code
Current through 2024-13, March 27, 2024
APPENDIX V TINY HOUSES
CHAPTER PART AV101- GENERAL
AV101.1 Scope. This appendix shall be applicable to tiny houses used as single dwelling units. Tiny houses shall comply with this code except as otherwise stated in this appendix.
CHAPTER PART AV102- DEFINITIONS
AV102.1 General. The following words and terms shall, for the purposes of this appendix, have the meanings shown herein. Refer to Chapter 2 of this code for general definitions.
EGRESS ROOF ACCESS WINDOW. A skylight or roof window designed and installed to satisfy the emergency escape and rescue opening requirements in Section R310.2.
LANDING PLATFORM. A landing provided as the top step of a stairway accessing a loft.
LOFT. A floor level located more than 30 inches (762 mm) above the main floor and open to it on at least one side with a ceiling height of less than 6 feet 8 inches (2032 mm), used as a living or sleeping space.
TINY HOUSE. A dwelling that is 400 square feet (37 m) or less in floor area excluding lofts.
CHAPTER PART AV103- CEILING HEIGHT
AV103.1 Minimum ceiling height. Habitable space and hallways in tiny houses shall have a ceiling height of not less than 6 feet 8 inches (2032 mm). Bathrooms, toilet rooms, and kitchens shall have a ceiling height of not less than 6 feet 4 inches (1930 mm). Obstructions shall not extend below these minimum ceiling heights including beams, girders, ducts, lighting and other obstructions.
Exception: Ceiling heights in lofts are permitted to be less than 6 feet 8 inches (2032 mm).
CHAPTER PART AV104- LOFTS
AV104.1 Minimum loft area and dimensions. Lofts used as a sleeping or living space shall meet the minimum area and dimension requirements of Sections AV104.1.1 through AV104.1.3.
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Exception: Under gable roofs with a minimum slope of 6:12, portions of a loft with a sloping ceiling measuring less than 16 inches (406 mm) from the finished floor to the finished ceiling shall not be considered as contributing to the minimum required area for the loft.
AV104.2 Loft access. The access to and primary egress from lofts shall be any type described in Sections AV104.2.1 through AV104.2.4.
CHAPTER PART AV105- EMERGENCY ESCAPE AND RESCUE OPENINGS
AV105.1 General. Tiny houses shall meet the requirements of Section R310 for emergency escape and rescue openings.
Exception: Egress roof access windows in lofts used as sleeping rooms shall be deemed to meet the requirements of Section R310 where installed such that the bottom of the opening is not more than 44 inches (1118 mm) above the loft floor, provided the egress roof access window complies with the minimum opening area requirements of Section R310.2.1.