For a building to be classified as an apartment, how many units with independent kitchens are needed?

The classification of a building as an apartment typically requires it to have multiple residential units, each equipped with independent kitchens. This is crucial because it differentiates an apartment from a single-family home or a boarding house, where tenants may share cooking facilities.

In most jurisdictions, a minimum of three units with independent kitchens is standard to qualify a building as an apartment. This allows for a level of independence and self-sufficiency for each unit's occupants, which is characteristic of apartment living. The presence of multiple units with their own kitchens also supports the notion of multiple households living within the same building, further reinforcing the classification as an apartment complex.

Having fewer than three units with independent kitchens would generally indicate a different classification, such as a duplex (two units) or a boarding house if there is only one kitchen shared among the residents. Therefore, three units with independent kitchens is the correct criterion for classifying a building as an apartment.