N.M. Admin. Code § 8.370.15.60

Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 23, December 10, 2024

Section 8.370.15.60 - RESIDENT ROOMS

Resident bedrooms must meet, at a minimum, the following requirements:

A. A boarding home shall not exceed the resident (bed) capacity approved by the licensing authority. Any beds or bedrooms provided for boarding home staff are not included in the approved bed capacity.

B. No resident bedroom shall be used as a public or general passageway to another room, bath or toilet. Resident rooms must connect directly to a hallway or other common area of the boarding home.

C. No room commonly used for other purposes shall be used as a bedroom for any resident. Such rooms shall include but not be limited to halls, stairways, unfinished attics or basements, garages, storage areas, and sheds, or similar detached buildings.

D. Resident rooms may be private (single), semi-private or dormitory style sleeping room. Required square footage excludes any closets or fixed cabinetry.

(1) Private (single) rooms must be of a minimum room size of 70 square feet or as otherwise required by the authority having jurisdiction.

(2) Semiprivate rooms may not house more than two residents and shall provide 60 square feet per resident or as otherwise required by the authority having jurisdiction.

(3) Dormitory rooms shall be of a minimum room size of 150 square feet and must provide 50 square feet per occupant with a maximum occupancy of eight or as otherwise required by the authority having jurisdiction.

E. Resident rooms shall not be less than seven feet in any horizontal direction or as otherwise required by the authority having jurisdiction.

F. Each resident room shall have operable window(s) with screens. The area of the outdoor windows shall be at least one tenth of the floor area of the room. At least one window in each resident room must allow for emergency egress and comply with the New Mexico building code, international building code (IBC), current edition as adopted by the New Mexico construction industries division and local building codes, as applied by the authority having jurisdiction.

G. Each resident room shall be furnished with well-constructed, comfortable furniture in good repair, unless the resident chooses to bring their own furniture:

(1) An individual bedframe with a clean, fire retardant mattress and pillow, with firm support.

(2) Cots and bunk beds are not allowed. The bed must be at a minimum a standard size "twin" or larger bed.

(3) In addition to the bed, each resident shall be furnished with a chair, a night stand, and light(s) necessary for reading.

(4) Two residents sharing a semi-private bedroom shall be permitted to share one-night stand.

(5) Lockers, portable or permanent closets and drawer space in each bedroom to accommodate the resident's clothing and personal belongings. A minimum of two drawers, or eight cubic feet of drawer space, whichever is greater, shall be provided for each resident.

(6) Consenting couples may be allowed to share one double or larger sized bed in a semiprivate room.

H. Each resident shall be provided with the following items:

(1) Clean linen in good repair, including lightweight, warm blankets and bedspreads; top and bottom bed sheets; pillowcases; mattress pads; rubber or plastic sheeting, when necessary; and bath towels, hand towels and wash cloths.

(2) The quantity of linen provided shall permit changing the linen at least once each week or more often when necessary to ensure that clean linen is in use by residents at all times.

(3) The use of common towels and washcloths shall be prohibited.

(4) The boarding home shall ensure provision to each resident, the necessary items for personal care and maintenance of personal hygiene, including but not limited to the following items: toilet paper, feminine napkins, nonmedicated soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, and comb.

N.M. Admin. Code § 8.370.15.60

Adopted by New Mexico Register, Volume XXXV, Issue 12, June 25, 2024, eff. 7/1/2024