Egress for Basement Bedrooms, Rentals and ADUs
Last updated
Every basement bedroom needs its own emergency escape and rescue opening; one opening in a shared rec room does not cover the bedrooms.
Informational only. Zoning, licensing and code rules differ by city and county.
Every basement bedroom needs its own opening
"Where basements contain one or more sleeping rooms, an emergency escape and rescue opening shall be required in each sleeping room," and new sleeping rooms created in an existing basement must comply (2024 IRC R319.1 and R319.7 via Jefferson County). One opening in a shared rec room does not cover the bedrooms.
When a basement finish becomes an ADU (unincorporated Jefferson County)
- A basement finish that includes a kitchen may be reviewed as an accessory dwelling unit (Jefferson County, Inside the Home).
- Projects that add bedrooms need both Planning & Zoning and Building Safety review there, and homes on septic are limited by their On-Site Wastewater permit (same page).
- Other jurisdictions have their own ADU zoning rules.
Requirements for each bedroom opening
- Net clear opening of at least 5.7 sq ft.
- Clear opening at least 24 in high and 20 in wide, reached by normal operation of the window or door.
- Bottom of the opening no more than 44 in above the floor.
- Operable from inside without keys or tools, opening to a public way or a yard or court that leads to one. Source: 2024 IRC R319 as published by Jefferson County Building Safety; the same numbers appear in the 2021 IRC R310 restated by Arapahoe County.
Before you rent it out
- Pull the permit for the egress work and the finish: see the permit guide.
- Plan for well ladders over 44 in deep and covers that tenants can open from inside: see window well cover options.
- Renting in Denver? See Denver rental license egress for what the city's inspection checklist says.
Related
- Basement bedroom egress · Egress for home sales and inspections · Denver rental license egress · Permit checklist
- Egress window check: see if your window and well likely meet the minimums Do I need an egress window? · Egress window vs. door
Services
Egress windows · Window wells · Covers · Basement egress · Code guide
Frequently asked questions
Does every basement bedroom need its own egress?
Yes. "Where basements contain one or more sleeping rooms, an emergency escape and rescue opening shall be required in each sleeping room" (2024 IRC R319.1). One opening in a shared rec room does not cover the bedrooms.
When does a basement finish become an ADU?
In unincorporated Jefferson County, a basement finish that includes a kitchen may be reviewed as an accessory dwelling unit. Other jurisdictions have their own ADU zoning rules.
What must each bedroom opening meet?
Net clear opening of at least 5.7 sq ft; clear opening at least 24 in high and 20 in wide; bottom of the opening no more than 44 in above the floor; operable from inside without keys or tools.
What should I do before renting out a basement bedroom?
Pull the permit for the egress work and the finish, and plan for well ladders over 44 in deep and covers that tenants can open from inside.