This help desk is for discussion purposes only. Neither BOMA, its affiliates, nor Extreme Measures Inc.® are responsible for the information, comments, or opinions expressed herein. For complete information, please refer to the official publications of the standards themselves.

Liveable loft areas in apartments

Tawny Correa: Tawny Correa; September 23, 2011

I guess the title says it all. Do you include 2nd story loft space in the living unit area? If so, where's the measure line?

Thanks!

Tawny

Adam Fingret: Extreme Measures Inc.; September 23, 2011

Hi Tawny,

The Multi-Unit Residential Standard considers loft space to be mezzanine, as discussed on page 13 of the standard. There are also a useful illustrations on pages 29, 30 and 31. Loft space is included in both the "unit net area" and the "unit gross area", but the standard requires that the main floor area and the loft/mezzanine area be disclosed individually.

The measure line is to the edge of slab, where it meets void space. On perimeter and demising walls, it is treated normally.