What is the minimum bedroom size in Ontario?
Under the OBC, a bedroom (other than a master bedroom) must be at least 7 m² — reduced to 6 m² where a built-in closet is provided. Master bedrooms require 9.8 m², or 8.8 m² with a built-in closet.
Areas are measured wall-to-wall inside the room, and the closet reduction applies only to a built-in closet — a freestanding wardrobe does not count. Where a bedroom is part of a combined space (such as a studio arrangement), different combined-area minimums apply. Room area is only one of the tests for a legal bedroom: the room must also meet minimum ceiling height, have a window meeting both the natural light requirement (5% of floor area for bedrooms) and — if the dwelling lacks sprinklers and the room lacks a second escape route — the egress window requirement of Subsection 9.9.10. Contrary to persistent real-estate folklore, the OBC does not require a bedroom to have a closet at all.
A basic bedroom needs about 7 square metres — roughly 8 by 9.5 feet — or a bit less if it has a built-in closet. A closet itself is optional. What actually makes a room a bedroom is size plus ceiling height plus a proper window you could escape through in a fire.
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This page is provided for general information. Building code requirements depend on your specific project, occupancy and municipality, and code editions change. Always verify requirements against the current Ontario Building Code and confirm with your local building department.