In Minnesota a basement room is only a legal bedroom if it has its own egress window. Here is what that takes, what cities ask for, and who does the work.
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What a legal basement bedroom needs
Its own emergency escape and rescue opening: an egress window or door. The rest of the basement does not need one if a bedroom has one.
For a window: at least 5 square feet of clear opening at or below grade, 24 inches tall and 20 inches wide, with the sill no more than 44 inches above the floor.
A well at least 36 by 36 inches, with a ladder if it is deeper than 44 inches.
The one big exception: a home with a fire sprinkler system.
Remodeling an existing basement does not by itself require an egress window. Creating a bedroom does. If the plan has a bedroom, plan the egress window first: it is the part with digging, a permit and inspections.
What Twin Cities cities ask for
St. Paul: Every basement finish needs a plan approved by Plan Review before the permit is issued. (source)
St. Paul: To make a basement bedroom legal, the plan must list ceiling height, headroom and stair measurements. (source)
Apple Valley: An existing window in a newly finished bedroom must meet current egress sizes. (source)
Blaine: A basement finish that adds or enlarges a window needs a separate window permit. (source)
Lakeville: On a septic system, adding a bedroom needs a compliance inspection by a licensed septic inspector. (source)
Minneapolis: An egress window permit does not make a basement bedroom legal if it was built without a permit. (source)
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Questions
Does a basement bedroom need an egress window in Minnesota?
Yes. Under the Minnesota Residential Code, every sleeping room needs an emergency escape and rescue opening, including new bedrooms in an existing basement. The main exception is a home with a fire sprinkler system.
Do I need an egress window to finish my basement?
Not for the remodel itself. The code says an egress opening is not required when an existing basement is altered or repaired. But any new bedroom you create down there needs one.
Can I use the basement window I already have?
Only if it meets the egress sizes: 5 square feet of clear opening, 24 inches tall, 20 inches wide and a sill no higher than 44 inches. Most older basement windows are too small. Apple Valley, for one, says an existing window in a newly finished bedroom must meet current sizes. Try the size checker.
How much does an egress window cost in Minneapolis?
Angi puts the average at $2,584, with most jobs between $1,975 to $3,216. Bigger windows cost more: Angi lists $2,620 to $4,200 for a 24 x 36 inch window and $3,670 to $6,290 for 30 x 48 inches.
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