Many parents have wondered, “Does CPS require a child to have their own room?” It’s a reasonable question. After all, CPS considers sleeping arrangements an important part of any home visit.
However, not everyone can afford to have a bedroom for each child. Many children share rooms with siblings or even parents. Of course, families that lack stable housing may have even more complicated sleeping arrangements.
So, let’s get right to the question.
Does CPS require a child to have their own room?
The short answer is no, CPS does not require a child to have their own room. However, there are a lot of rules about who can share bedrooms.
If your child is sharing a room with someone, you’ll want to stick around and read all the rules so that you don’t end up in trouble with Child Protective Services.
No more than two people per bedroom.
Generally, a bedroom should not have more than two children in it. Two people per bedroom is generally considered an occupancy limit for rental purposes. In many cases, there is a “2+1” occupancy limit that states you can have two people per bedroom, plus one person in a living space.
Boys and girls ages 5+ should not share a room.
CPS generally does not approve of boys and girls sharing a bedroom after the age of five years old. If one sibling is over the age of five, you should do whatever you can to ensure that they are not sharing the room with someone of the opposite gender.
If you have one child of each gender, then the answer to “does CPS require a child to have their own room?” appears to be yes.
In California and possibly other states, caregivers can request alternative plans based on a child’s stated gender identity.
Adults and children should not share rooms.
According to document from the California Department of Social Services, a child should not share a bedroom with an adult unless the child is an infant. There is also an exception for minor parents, who may share a bedroom with their child.
However, those rules also state that there should never be more than two adults and two infants per bedroom.
Bedrooms must meet minimum safety requirements.
Any room that is used for a bedroom must have a window that can be opened in case of an emergency. CPS generally frowns on using closets, hallways and other spaces as bedrooms because it can pose a safety hazard in the event of a fire, earthquake or other emergency.
Each child should have a safe bed to sleep in.
Although the answer to “does CPS require a child to have their own room?” is no, it is advisable for each child to have their own bed with a clean linens, pillows, blankets and mattress.
Children under the age of 18 months should sleep in a crib without any blankets, pillows, stuffed animals, bumper pads or other materials.
Any bunk beds should have railings on both sides of the upper bed to prevent falls. Children who sleep in the top bunk must be old enough and mature enough to climb in and out of the bed safely and without assistance. Generally, children under six years old should not have the top bunk. Beds with more than two tiers should not be used.
What if our housing doesn’t meet these requirements?
Just because your situation does not match these standards does not mean that your children will be automatically removed from your home. CPS can instruct you to correct deficiencies and they can connect you to resources that can help. You can also contact any of these legal aid resources if you have trouble with CPS.
Im temporarily moving into a home with 4 kids 6f 4m, 3f3f we will be moving our new final home in 4 months is there anything wrong with them sharing a room with the older two sleeping in bunk beds ?
It’s normal for siblings to share rooms, especially during a temporary move. Rules vary by state, but most child welfare guidelines allow siblings to share a bedroom as long as the space is safe, everyone has a place to sleep, and there’s enough privacy for changing. Since this is only for about four months, bunk beds for the older two and the younger children sharing the room is generally fine. If you ever have concerns, you can check your state’s specific guidelines, but for families, short-term room sharing like this is very common and usually not an issue.
This is sickening. Up until the 50’s children and often times adults would share rooms because not everyone could afford a house with rooms for all the kids. If a family has 3 boys and 3 girls, DCF is saying that they have to live in a 4 bedroom house or bigger depending on how many kids of each gender there are. So, if parents cant afford a large home, they get their children taken away? Does dcf ignore the fact that in rural areas, farming/ranching land, ot was common for children and parents to sleep in the same area. Remember the phrase, one room log cabin? That’s what my grandparents had with 5 children! In the 1950’s when my dad got out of the military, he went back and built my grandparents a house. All the children back there grew up like that and they’re all just fine. There were nights when my grandparents heard a noise at night and had to go check out the barn hahaha their life was good and. Nobody has anything, (aside from having to work hard) negative to say. This gov3rnm3nt is out of control.
Should a 15 year old boy on the spectrum and a 3 year old boy be sharing a room. There is visible sexual curiosity in the teenager.
Is there a law that says your kids can’t sleep in the same room as there parent and boyfriend they have bunk beds and the parent and boyfriend sleep on bottom bunk and the boy 9 sleep on top but the 3 year old daughter sleep on a blanket s in floor and and the mother is excepting another baby anyday
Hi. There may be too many people in one room according to CPS rules.
I think that the three year old shouldn’t be on the floor but the mother and father should sleep on the floor and give the bed to the three year old. Or since the mom is pregnant she could share the bottom bunk with the three year old
my children are 7 (girl) 7 (boy) and 4 (girl) they all share a room. girls in the bunk bed, boy in twin. is this allowed? we only live in a 2 bedroom duplex and are saving to buy a home.
Hi, in general, CPS doesn’t approve of boys and girls sharing a bedroom after the age of five years old.
I live in Florida and DCF just called to fill paperwork out to gain custody of my granddaughter whos 13 in Massachusetts. I moved into a resort on Beach side because DCF told me it will he many more months before she would be here. I’m worried about getting her now because it’s a studio but has room for another bed. IS this going to be a problem till I find a new place? Thank you for any advice
Hi Ruth. There’s a possibility that it could cause an issue.
Do the bedrooms have to have a door for a 10 year old girl?
Hi. It may depend on your situation, but doors are generally considered necessary.
Whatever you do, don’t let your kids share a room!? Unless they identify…? Can any of this possibly be rational….? Don’t call CPS… Sharing a room isn’t abuse, people. It’s what families have done and do all around the world. Consumer USA, everyone needs their own room. What the actual…
@Unicorn, I know. USA attempts to keep children safe can put families on the street. I have friends and neighbors from other countries who say you have to be sensible, as people have for all of history. We do the best we can.
Is it illegal to live in a basement for over 2 years with 3 kids (2 girls and 1 boy) with no rooms and mom and dad sleeping in same area as the children? What is the law about the safety of the area for a basement? What is considered “temporary living”
Hi Mariah. It may be an issue. A lot of the final decisions come down to local rules as well as the specific situation.
My 3 step daughters ages 9, 11,and 12 live with their mother step father and their 3 other siblings 1 sister age 6 and twin boys age 4. The kids all share a bedroom is this a concern I should have CPS look into?
I have an 8 year old and 9 year old sharing a room while my 13 gets his room. If I have 3 rooms do each kid have to have their own room?
Hi. It depends on the gender of the children who are sharing a room.
How long can a mother and son share a bedroom ??
Hi Ray. There’s no easy answer to that question. According to a document from the California Department of Social Services, a child should not share a bedroom with an adult unless the child is an infant. There is also an exception for minor parents, who may share a bedroom with their child. However, those rules also state that there should never be more than two adults and two infants per bedroom.
I have a question regarding my step child that lives with his mom. He is 15 years old and shares a room with his 20 year old brother. His 20 year old brother has verbally abused him and we don’t know of anything else. We believe his moms knows more and wont say anything to us or handle the situation. We are trying to get have my step son come live with us but his mom wont allow it or sign the forms, we are having to take her to court. He has repeatedly asked to come live with us on and off since 2019. Also mom and her boy friend both have un registered cars from 2020 that they drive with three of the under age children in.
I want to know can this be reported?
Hi Patsy. Legal Aid may be able to help with your custody dispute: https://lowincomerelief.com/legal-aid/
This isn’t my situation but I’m confused about the 2+1. So for instance if their is let’s say a 8 year old. And cousins that’s 7 & 6 all boys. They can be in the same room? Since it’s 2+1? I don’t know it just seems like too many for one room.
Hi Ne. The 2+1 rule means 2 people in a bedroom and then 1 in the living room. So, 3 in a bedroom would not be allowed under the rule.
Hi, I have a 2 bedroom apt with my sister and my husband, she’s 21 and lives in one room and I sleep in another room with my husband and our one year old. is that a issue with CPS?
Hi Ana. Once a child is no longer an infant, they should preferably have their own room.
How my husband and I share a room with our two year old son but he has his own toddler bed is that ok?
Hi Kaylee. It could be an issue. Generally, children other than infants need to have a room separate from their parents.
Hello, can the two of my sons under the age of 5 share a mattress . I can’t afford two beds right now . I am just wondering if i am breaking cos rules ?
Hi Natasha, it is advisable for each child to have their own bed.
Can I sleep on the couch in the living room and my 4 year old daughter has the one bedroom for her self. In a one bedroom home or apartment in Minnesota????
Hi Donnie. In many cases, a living room is acceptable to stay in for an adult. You may need to consult with an attorney to make sure that is the case in your area.