IRC Code for Bathrooms

Bathtubs

• Bathtubs must have both a waste drain and an overflow outlet to prevent the tub from overflowing while it is being filled. The waste drain must be equipped with a watertight stopper to allow for filling the tub. Whirlpool tubs must have an unobstructed opening to provide access to the tub's circulation pump for maintenance and repair; a minimum 12-inch square opening is required, and if the pump is more than 2 feet away from the opening, the opening must be at least 18 inches square. The walls surrounding bathtubs must be watertight to a height of 6 feet above the floor. Water-control valves for both whirlpool and conventional tubs need a temperature-limiting device to limit hot water temperature to no more than 120 degrees.

Showers

• Showers must have a minimum interior dimension of 30 inches, from the top of the shower threshold to a minimum height of 70 inches above the drain, not including space taken up by valves, controls, shower heads, soap dishes and handrails. The walls of the shower must be watertight, and a hinged shower door must open outward away from the shower. As with bathtubs, shower water-control valves must be equipped to limit hot water to a temperature no greater than 120 degrees, and hand-held shower heads must be equipped with backflow-protection devices.

Toilets

• Toilets must be equipped with flush valves, and the water supply for the flushing mechanism must be adequate to thoroughly clean the toilet bowl when it is flushed. The flushing system must be equipped with a float valve or automatic device which will shut off the water flow when the flush tank is full, and the fixture must be designed to prevent overflow in the event of a clog and backflow of waste into the flush tank. Toilets must also be fitted with a properly sized seat made from a smooth, nonabsorbent material.

Room Dimensions

• The IRC specifies minimum dimensions for bathroom spaces. Toilets must have a minimum of 15 inches of clear space on either side, measured from the center line of the toilet, and there must be a minimum of 21 inches of clear space between the front of the toilet bowl and any obstruction. There must also be 21 inches of free space in front of a bathroom sink. Bathtubs must have a minimum of 21 inches of clearance on the side away from a wall, and there must be 24 inches of clearance in front of a shower opening. Ceilings must be a minimum of 7 feet high; if the ceiling slopes, at least half of the ceiling area must be at least 7 feet high, and no part of the ceiling can be less than 5 feet high. Ceilings must be at least 6 feet 8 inches above fixtures.