Requirements for Residential Room Additions and Attached
Garages-Carports-Decks-Porches
1). Certified Surveyor’s plot of the property (showing property lines, existing house, and
any easements or setbacks).
2). Two (2) sets of construction plans, including floor plan; wall section; building section
showing room and building dimensions. Plans must include type and size of materials to
be used; and must detail window and door locations. Door and window schedules must
be provided. (Separate plumbing, electrical, and HVAC plans must be provided if to be
done by homeowner).
Note: All additions must meet allowable area, location, and setback requirements of the
Unified Govt. WYCO/KCK zoning ordinances and all applicable codes concerning
construction materials and methods.
Note: All Habitable rooms must meet the following requirements:
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Window area - All Habitable rooms shall be provided with aggregate glazing area
of not less than 8 percent of the floor area of such rooms.
Natural ventilation - The minimum openable area to the outdoors shall be 4
percent of the floor area being ventilated.
Emergency egress – Basements with habitable space and every sleeping room
shall have at least one openable emergency escape and rescue opening to the
outside. All egress openings shall have a minimum net clear opening of 5.7 square
feet. All egress openings must have a minimum net open height of 24 inches and a
minimum net clear width of 20 inches. The minimum sill height of an egress
window cannot exceed 44 inches from the floor. (This does not mean a 20 x 24
window see diagram). Section R311 of the 2003 edition of the International
Residential code.
Habitable Room Space. A space in a building for living, sleeping, eating, or cooking.
Bathrooms, toilets compartments, closets, halls, storage or utility spaces and similar areas
are not considered habitable space.
Note: In bathrooms, laundry and similar rooms, a mechanical ventilation system
connected directly to the outside and capable of providing five air changes per
hour may be used in lieu of natural ventilation by means of openable exterior
openings equal to 1/20 of the floor area in the room.
All construction must meet the following codes:
International Residential Code 2003 Edition.
1988 Code of Ordinances as adopted or amended by the Unified Govt. WYCO/KCK.