The window itself
Verified — IRC R310
- There is an egress window in the bedroom. Not down the hall — in the room. Each basement bedroom needs its own.
- Net clear opening ≥ 5.7 sq ft. Open the window fully and measure the actual hole — height × width of the open space, in inches, divided by 144. The number on the sticker is not the number that counts.
- Opening at least 24" high and 20" wide. Both minimums must hold at the same time (a 24×20 window doesn't pass — that's only 3.3 sq ft).
- Sill no more than 44" above the floor. Measure floor to the bottom of the clear opening.
- Opens from inside without keys, tools, or special knowledge. Painted-shut, security-barred, or crank-broken windows fail.
The window well (if the window is below grade)
- Well gives at least 9 sq ft of horizontal area, minimum 36" projection and width, and lets the window open fully.
- Ladder or steps if the well is deeper than 44". Permanently affixed, not a ladder someone has to fetch.
- 36" of clearance if the well sits under a deck or porch.
The paperwork
- The basement finish was permitted and passed final inspection. In Bismarck you can check with Building Inspections (701-355-1465) — buyers' agents do. Our permit walkthrough covers the process and the ~$85–$110 typical fee.
- Nobody moved in before the Certificate of Occupancy. Bismarck issues no temporary COs; occupying early is an infraction.
If a check failed
Most failures are one of three fixes: a window swapped for one with a bigger true opening, a well rebuilt to size (or a ladder added), or an opening enlarged with a code-sized cut. The full code guide has every number; a local pro can quote the fix.
Why it's worth fixing before you sell: a non-conforming basement room generally can't be listed as a bedroom, so the finished space doesn't appraise like one.
Sources
- City of Bismarck Building Inspections FAQ — opening sizes, sill height, per-bedroom requirement, CO policy.
- ND State Building Code (2024 IRC effective 1/1/2026) — IRC R310 egress and well dimensions.
A self-check, not an inspection or legal advice. Codes change and local amendments apply — confirm with your jurisdiction's building inspector.