Rule 290-9-37-.08 - Minimum Floor Plan Requirements(1) A residence shall be constructed, arranged, and maintained so as to provide adequately for the health, safety, access, and well-being of the resident.(2) A Community Living Arrangement shall provide for common living space and private sleeping areas. (a) The living and sleeping areas for a given resident shall be within the same building.(b) Windows used for ventilation to the outside and exterior doors used for ventilation shall be screened and in good repair.(c) Supportive devices shall be installed as necessary to enable residents to achieve a greater degree of mobility and safety from falling.(3) All residences shall provide an area for use by residents and visitors that affords privacy.(4) There must be common space, such as living and dining rooms, for use by the residents without restriction.(5) Common areas of the residence must be large enough to accommodate all residents without crowding. The areas must be comfortably furnished.(6) The residence shall provide a means of locked storage for the valuables or personal belongings of any resident, upon request.(7) A residence shall provide laundering facilities on the premises for resident's personal laundry.(8) The following minimum standards for bedrooms must be met: (a) Bedrooms shall have sufficient space to accommodate without crowding the resident, the resident's belongings, and the minimum furniture of bed, dresser, and closet;(b) There shall be no more than one resident per bedroom unless adequate bedroom space is available for two residents to accommodate without crowding the residents, their belongings, and their beds, dressers, and closets;(c) Each bedroom shall have at least one window;(d) Bedrooms for residents shall be separated from halls, corridors and other rooms by floor to ceiling walls. Hallways shall not be used for sleeping;(e) The floor plan shall be such that no person other than the occupant of that bedroom shall pass through a bedroom in order to reach another room;(f) Bedrooms occupied by residents shall have doors that can be closed. For bedrooms that have locks on doors, both the occupant and staff must be provided with keys to ensure easy entry. Double-cylinder locks (locks requiring a key on both sides) may not be used on the bedroom of a resident;(g) A room shall not be used as a bedroom where more than one-half the room height is below ground level. Bedrooms which are partially below ground level shall have adequate natural light and ventilation and be provided with two useful means of egress; and(h) When a resident is discharged, the room and its contents shall be thoroughly cleaned.(9) The following minimum standards apply to bathroom facilities: (a) At least one functional toilet, lavatory, and bathing or showering facility shall be provided for each four persons residing in a Community Living Arrangement;(b) At least one fully handicap accessible bathroom must be available if any resident requires handicap access;(c) Grab bars and non-skid surfacing or strips shall be installed in all showers and bath areas, as required by the needs of the residents;(d) Bathrooms and toilet facilities shall have a window that can be opened or shall have forced ventilation;(e) Toilets, bathtubs, and showers shall provide for individual privacy; and(f) All plumbing and bathroom fixtures shall be maintained in good working order at all times and shall present a clean and sanitary appearance.(10) All stairways and ramps shall have sturdy handrails, securely fastened not less than 30 inches nor more than 34 inches above the center of the tread. Exterior stairways, decks, and porches shall have handrails on the open sides unless the surface of the deck or porch is so close to ground level that it does not pose a significant risk of injury to the resident to fall from the deck or porch.(11) Floor coverings shall be intact, safely secured, and free of any hazard that may cause tripping.(12) All areas including hallways and stairs shall be lighted sufficiently.(13) The following exterior conditions must be maintained: (a) Entrances and exits, sidewalks, and escape routes shall be maintained free of any obstructions that would impede leaving the residence quickly in the case of fire or other emergency. All such entrances and exits, sidewalks, and escape routes shall be kept free of any hazards such as ice, snow, or debris;(b) The yard area, if applicable, shall be kept free of all hazards, nuisances, refuse, and litter; and(c) The residence must have its house number displayed so as to be easily visible from the street.Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 290-9-37-.08
O.C.G.A. Secs. 31-7-1et seq., 37-1-22.
Original Rule entitled "Minimum Floor Plan Requirements" adopted. F. Oct. 24, 2002; eff. Nov. 13, 2002.