Is It Really a Bedroom? What to Know for Your Listings

One of the questions the NorthstarMLS Rules & Regulations team hears regularly is, “Does this room count as a bedroom?” It’s a fair question, but not one NorthstarMLS can answer.  

Instead, our requirement is that the bedroom meet local code requirements to be counted.  The responsibility of assurance rests with your listing broker, who should exercise professional judgment and perform appropriate due diligence before advertising a bedroom count.  

No Single Statewide Definition

While many people assume there’s a universal checklist for a conforming bedroom: a closet, an egress window, a certain square footage. In reality, there is no single definition of a bedroom that applies everywhere in Minnesota, Wisconsin and North Dakota.  

Whether a room can legally be represented as a bedroom depends on the building codes of each local jurisdiction. 

NorthstarMLS serves subscribers across three states and hundreds of municipalities. While Minnesota and North Dakota have adopted residential building codes based on the International Residential Code (IRC), Wisconsin follows its own Uniform Dwelling Code. In every case, local building officials are responsible for interpreting and enforcing those codes. 

That means a room that qualifies as a bedroom in one municipality may not qualify in another. 

What Makes a Room a Bedroom?

Although requirements vary, a code-compliant sleeping room commonly includes: 

• Adequate floor area and ceiling height  

• Permanent heat  

• A door for privacy and access  

• An emergency escape and rescue opening (such as an egress window or exterior door, where required)  

One common misconception is that a closet is required. In fact, most building codes regulate sleeping rooms, not “bedrooms,” and generally do not require a closet. Local ordinances may differ, but a closet alone should never determine whether a room is marketed as a bedroom. 

It’s also important to remember that many older homes were built under previous building codes. A room that doesn’t meet today’s standards may still have been legally constructed under the code in effect at the time. 

When in Doubt, Be Accurate

Again, avoid making assumptions and work with your broker. If you cannot reasonably verify that a room should be represented as a bedroom, consider describing the space for what it is, such as a den, office, flex room, bonus room or finished room, and highlight its features in the listing remarks. 

Accurate property information benefits everyone. Taking a few extra minutes to verify how a room should be represented helps reduce disputes and ensures your listing accurately reflects the property. 

When questions arise, remember that your local building department, not the MLS, is the authority on whether a room complies with applicable building codes. When in doubt, verify before you advertise. 

 Still Have Questions About Bedrooms? 

The NorthstarMLS Rules + Regulations team is here to help with any questions you have about bedrooms. Contact us today!