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Sean P. Farrell 11 months ago.
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In the VA Residential Code there are many, many references to unfinished basements and/or attic spaces regardless of whether they are habitable spaces or not. However, I do not find the criterion that determines why an area would be considered “unfinished” or “finished.”
Do any localities use a guideline for this determination?
If you have a ‘habitable’ space, it must meet the light/ventilation/power requirements/conditions. Further, if habitable and designated as a bed/sleeping room, then emergency escape/rescue, smoke detection, arc fault, etc…trigger. Non-habitable spaces are just that…do not meet the full requirements of habitable. I don’t believe you can have an “unfinished” space that is habitable. But can you have a “finished” (drywall only – which does not require a permit) area that is non-habitable…? is that considered finished…good question.
PWC does not have such a document or guideline.
Sean P. Farrell
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