Is a bathroom required by code to have a window or exhaust fan

air-conditioningbathroomductsexhaust-fanwindows

The Fort Lauderdale, Florida unit is on the top floor and there is a duct for the unit's central air in the bathroom, but it doesn't have a window or exhaust fan. Is this not to code? What are my options if an exhaust duct isn't available or the association doesn't allow installing one? The condo has been completely remodeled and I'm afraid the bathroom (or the rest of the unit if I have to leave the door open) will get ruined in no time without a proper exhaust for steam, since the weather here is already constantly humid.

Best Answer

Codes differ between areas and across time. The International Residential Code requires SOME form of venting, either a fan exhausting to the outside with at least 50CFM or a window with at least 1-1/2 sq. ft. of opening area. Whether or not your locality adopted those standards at the time your condo was built is not something we can help with. But code or no code, an un-vented bathroom (with a bath or shower) is a bad idea and ESPECIALLY in a humid part of the world.

"Ventless" bathroom fans are only for fart control by blowing the air through a carbon filter, they have zero effect on humidity and the likelihood of mold and mildew formation.