NYC Building Code: Minimum Ceiling Heights

1208.2 Minimum ceiling heights. Habitable rooms and spaces shall have a ceiling height of not less than 8 feet (2438 mm). Occupiable spaces and corridors shall have a ceiling height of not less than 7 feet 6 inches (2286 mm). Bathrooms, toilet rooms, kitchens in other than I-1 and R occupancies, kitchenettes in I-1 or R occupancies, storage rooms and laundry rooms shall be permitted to have a ceiling height of not less than 7 feet (2134 mm). All measurements shall be taken from the finished floor to the finished underside of the ceiling or ceiling beams.

Exceptions:

1. In one- and two-family dwellings, beams or girders spaced not less than 4 feet (1219 mm) on center may project not more than 6 inches (152 mm) below the required ceiling height, provided that a clear height of 7 feet (2134 mm) is maintained.

2. Habitable rooms in basements of one-family dwellings, including any projecting beams, shall have a ceiling height of not less than 7 feet (2134 mm).

3. Habitable rooms in basements of multiple dwellings may have as many as four beams crossing the ceiling if none of the beams exceeds 12 inches (305 mm) in width or extends below the ceiling more than 6 inches (152 mm).

4. Spaces above and below a mezzanine, other than habitable spaces, shall have a ceiling height of not less than 7 feet (2134 mm).