Minium Ceiling Heights

[Todd Hughes]

Please Help! I am attempting to locate documentation to determine if there is a minimum ceiling height requirement for 1 story design dwellings. It has always been my understanding that a 7 foot ceiling height was required to calucate area as square footage. Is there such a benchmark? I have 1920's built 1 story dwelling with a ceiling height of 6' 8'' throughout entire dwelling. I can extract market reaction from similar comparables, however need to know if there is a minium standard. Thank you for any help you may have. Todd Hughes

 

[Mr Rex]

ANSI Z765-2003. Google this, you can downlaod the standards for $10.

 

[Lee Lansford]

Tom, why do you ask?
I'll assume here that you are working on an appraisal assignment for use for a new mortgage and that the loan is headed for the secondary market...am I close enough?

What you have to do is accurately and clearly report the Subject's status ("6'8" ceiling heighth in GLA) and how this ceiling heighth differs from the typical ceiling heighth in neighborhood houses.
Next, you must measure the market's reaction to this status. You have stated that there is sufficient market data to indicate the market's reaction; I assume then that there will be sales comparisons with sub-7' high ceilings available for inclusion in your appraisal.

There may be something in the current building and zoning ordinance regarding the minimum ceiling heigth. If there is--and if the Subject is below the current minimum--you will want to explain how the Subject does, or does not, comply with current requirements. Following, I assume (but you will have to determine) here that the sales comparisons will have similar status. Explain.

The investor wants to be certain that the Subject is marketable as a house with 6'8' ceiling heighth. If you can explain and analyze, all should be OK.

What you are referencing regarding the 7' high ceilings is a standard found in the ANSI. You may want to include a statement in the appraisal that the GLA calculations for the Subject and the comps are not per ANSI.

Lee