---
tags:
  - topic/construction
  - type/encyclopedia
title: Multifamily Dwellings
---
# Multifamily Dwellings

![[nfpa-70_100_definitions#Dwelling, Multifamily.]]

## Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

> [!info] Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Terms
> * hearing impaired (HI or H.I.)
> * hearing impaired communication (HC or H.C.)
> * mobility features (MF or M.F.)
> * accessible (Acc.)
>     * usually refers to mobility features.

### Are Hotels Multifamily Dwellings?

> [!info]
> This question also applies to student housing and similar occupancies,
> sometimes generalized as "hospitality",
> but this term is ambiguously understood.
>
> The question _does not_ apply
> to hotels with three or more guestrooms with full kitchens
> (often called "suites").
> Such hotels are always multifamily dwellings.

Whether hotel rooms are dwelling units
and thus whether are hotels are multifamily dwellings per the NEC definition
is contingent on the AHJ's interpretation
of the requirement for permanent provisions for cooking.

> [!cite] [[nfpa-70_100_definitions#Dwelling Unit.|NEC Article 100]] (emphasis added)
> ### Dwelling Unit.
>
> A single unit, providing complete and independent living facilities for one or more persons,
> including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, _cooking_, and sanitation.

Anecdotal evidence from [reliable forums](https://forums.mikeholt.com/)
suggests that a cord-and-plug connected microwave
is generally not interpreted to meet the requirement,
however I'm not separating these, at least for now.

The Article 100 definition exactly mirrors the IBC,
which has the additional term **sleeping unit**:

> [!cite] IBC Chapter 2: Definitions
> ## Sleeping Unit.
>
> A single unit that provides rooms or spaces for one or more persons,
> includes permanent provisions for sleeping
> and can include provisions for living, eating
> and either sanitation or kitchen facilities but not both.
> Such rooms and spaces that are also part of a dwelling unit are not sleeping units.

> [!cite] IBC Chapter 2: Definitions (emphasis added)
> Another example would be a studio apartment with a kitchenette
> (i.e., countertop microwave, sink, refrigerator).
> Since the cooking arrangements
> are not the traditional permanent appliances (i.e., a range),
> this configuration would be considered a sleeping unit,
> and not a dwelling unit.
> As defined in the code,
> a “Dwelling unit” must contain permanent facilities
> for living, sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation.
>
> The new style of dormitory in colleges
> consists of two, three or four bedrooms
> with one or two single occupant bathrooms
> and a shared living space.
> These facilities are considered a sleeping unit.
> Only where there are full cooking and eating facilities
> (i.e., a kitchen with a range) within the unit,
> is the unit considered a dwelling unit.
> The two-, three- or four-bedroom units operate similar to an apartment.
> Considering this group of rooms a sleeping unit
> clarifies that the provisions in Chapter 7 to separate dwelling or sleeping units
> allows for this group of rooms to be separated from adjacent groups and the corridors,
> but does not require the bedrooms
> to be separated from the associated living room or bathrooms.
> This also clarified that only the main corridors have fire alarms,
> and smoke detectors can be within the unit.
> With the previous definition,
> it was not clear if the living and sanitation
> were considered part of the unit or an extension of the main corridor.
> Due to how universities administer dormitory assignments,
> the accessibility provisions in Section 1107
> specify that bedrooms within sleeping units are counted separately
> for purposed the number of Accessible bedrooms required.

## Hotels

### Hotel Units

> [!info] Also Known As
> * Guestrooms
> * Keys

> [!trivia]
> The term "key" as a synonym of "hotel room" is a synecdoche,
> referring to the unit's door key.
> In the pre-digital days of hotel management,
> one could count the rooms of a hotel
> by the keys behind the front desk.

## Residential

> [!info] Also Known As
> * Condos - resident-owned
> * Apartments - resident-rented
