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Code requires an egress window well be dug for egress windows below ground level. The area at the bottom of the well must equate to 9 square feet, and there must be 36” of clearance between the egress window and the back of the well. Wells deeper than 44” must have ladders or egress window steps attached, and well covers and grates must open or lift from the inside without the assistance of tools.

There is no set number of egress windows required in a basement, but there must be one:

1. In any bedroom or sleeping area.
2. In any rec room, office, or home theater, should they NOT adjoin with a bedroom.
3. If multiple rooms in Category 2 adjoin, only one needs an egress window (or door).

The minimum size of a basement egress window allowable is 5.7 square feet — it can be a minimum of 24” in height or 20” in width. Still, those dimensions multiplied together must total 5.7 square feet (versus an above-ground egress window, whose minimum clear opening area must only total 5.0 square feet).

Most states’ egress window requirements are derived from the International Residential Code (IRC), which lays out safety standards for single and multi-family homes.