Yes, egress windows on the second floor are required in any room used for sleeping. Building codes treat the requirement as room-based rather than floor-based, so every bedroom needs at least one emergency escape and rescue opening, regardless of which story it sits on.1City of Portland. Emergency escape and rescue openings A second-floor room that isn’t used for sleeping — a home office, a hallway, a storage room — generally doesn’t need one.
What Counts as an Egress Window
An emergency escape and rescue opening has to let an adult climb out safely without help. It must open from the inside without tools, keys, or special knowledge.2Washington State Legislature. WAC 51-51-0310 A window that requires a crank tool stored elsewhere, or a lock that needs a key, does not qualify.
When a Second-Floor Room Triggers the Requirement
The rule follows the use of the room. If it’s a bedroom or any designated sleeping area, it needs a compliant opening.1City of Portland. Emergency escape and rescue openings
Renovations can bring older second-floor rooms under the requirement too. Converting an unfinished space upstairs into a bedroom, or adding a new bedroom during a remodel, usually means installing a window or door that meets current specs. Existing homes aren’t always forced to update on their own, but a change in room use or significant structural work typically brings the space up to current code.
Size and Sill Height Requirements
Meeting the minimum width and height alone isn’t enough. The total opening area has its own minimum, and all three numbers have to be satisfied at the same time. For a second-floor opening:3Jefferson County. Emergency Escape & Rescue Openings
- Minimum clear opening width: 20 inches
- Minimum clear opening height: 24 inches
- Minimum total clear opening area: 5.7 square feet
The sill — the bottom edge of the opening — can sit no more than 44 inches above the finished floor, so an occupant can reach and climb through it in an emergency.1City of Portland. Emergency escape and rescue openings The smaller 5.0 square foot area allowance applies only to grade-floor openings and does not apply on a second story.3Jefferson County. Emergency Escape & Rescue Openings
Local Codes and Permits
Many jurisdictions build on standards like the International Residential Code, but the enforceable rules are set locally. Cities and counties adapt those codes, and the exact requirement for your house depends on where it sits. Check with your local building department or municipal code for the specifics, along with any special rules for historic properties or particular residential types.
Installing a new window on the second floor, or enlarging an existing opening to make it compliant, usually requires a permit. Working without one can bring fines and cause problems when you later sell the property.4City of Portland. Residential Windows Confirm the permit requirement before you order the window or start demolition.