Technical vs. Functional Definition

BRTest your knowledge of residential real estate by answering this question:

Who defines what constitutes a legal bedroom?

A. The county where the home is located;
B. The city where the home is located;
C. The local multiple listing service (MLS);
D. The listing agent representing the Seller.

Answer:  “A.” or “B.”

If you got that wrong, you’ve got lots of company:  my hunch is that most people (including Realtors) would’ve guessed “C.”

So, what does local code (and the county assessor) require?

Generally, to be a legal Bedroom, it must have the following attributes:  minimum size (typically about 80 square feet); an egress window that’s big enough for a fireman get through; a heat source; minimum height (usually 7′); a closet in the room (or very nearby); and finished walls, ceiling, and floors.

Practical Test

Fortunately, there’s a simpler, more practical test:  does the room feel like a Bedroom?

If “yes,” prospective Buyers are likely to give the homeowner/would-be Seller credit for a Bedroom.

If not, it can be smart to instead bill the room as an Office or Exercise Room.

P.S.:  some readers will recognize this as the “duck” test:  if it walks, sounds, and looks like a duck . . . it usually is.

About the author

Ross Kaplan has 19+ years experience selling real estate all over the Twin Cities. He is also a 12-time consecutive "Super Real Estate Agent," as determined by Mpls. - St. Paul Magazine and Twin Cities Business Magazine. Prior to becoming a Realtor, Ross was an attorney (corporate law), CPA, and entrepreneur. He holds an economics degree from Stanford.

Leave a Reply