Dear Sherri,

Normally, a bedroom needs to have a closet and a window. However, some rooms with a closet next to it but not in it are being called bedrooms. Also a "bonus" room may not be considered legal depending on the 3R report or if you know ahead of time it was built without a permit as Kevin mentions. You might be thinking of a "sunroom" which is usually located off a bedroom in the rear of the house. The sunroom with a window but not a closet should not be called a bedroom but often is by some realtors. Size does not matter except in the eyes of the beholder.

Happy New Year!
Sally

Hi-

The window also has to be a exterior window- a window into a lightwell does not count as a mode of egress due to fire code.

Sherri,

Scott is correct that the room must have a closet and two means of egress -- so usually the door to enter and a window (for escape in an emergency). However, sometimes the term "bonus room" is used for rooms that may not have been built with permits. These rooms often are in the basement of a house and still may have a closet and a window, but from the City of SF's perspective they are not additional bedrooms. There are a lot of other factors that can play into a room being consider a bedroom as well. It is important to do your due diligence when considering a particular property with these types of issues. The city can be very helpful in answering questions and understanding particular situations. One particular document in a disclosure package, the "3R" -- the Residential Record Report. This is a good place to begin your due diligence on issues of permits, building history, etc.

Sherri,

It has to have a closet and a window to be called a bedroom.