I'm planning on adding a full bath to our basement, but I am wondering how short I can go with the bathroom door. The room itself will easily clear 80" tall, but the entry side wall is flush up against existing duct work.
The tallest door I can reasonably expect to fit would be 75", which is just shy of 78". Is this acceptable or could I run in to issues when I sell the house?
Looking at codes, it seems like egress doors are explicitly called out, and interior doors seem to be under looser guidelines.
Best Answer
The Code Does not stipulate the height of doors in bathrooms. Yes, you are correct that the Code does indicate that ONE 3'-0" wide x 6'-8" high door is required for "habitable spaces". However, only living, sleeping, eating and cooking spaces are defined as "habitable spaces". "Bathrooms, toilet rooms, closets, storage rooms, utility rooms, halls and similar areas are not considered habitable spaces." (R 202 of Code)
By the way, the Code does stipulate the ceiling height of 7' for, "habitable rooms, hallways, corridors, bathrooms, laundry rooms and portions of basements containing these spaces." Now, there are four exceptions for sloped ceilings, beams that hang down below 7', etc. (R 305.1).