Building Requirements

What are some of the standards that my home must meet when the licensor makes the initial inspection visit? 

You must be able to show or verify the following for your home (this list does not reflect all requirements). 

The home:

• Meets current building code requirements for a single family dwelling (no apartments or condominiums are permitted as an AFH);

• Is clean, sanitary, free of hazards, and safe for residents both inside and out;

• Has secure handrails at all stairs or step/s in and out of the home;

• Has the required approved 2A:10B-C (5#) rated fire extinguishers on each floor of the home;

• Has working smoke detectors on each floor, in hallways, in each resident bedroom, and in close proximity to the provider/staff bedroom;

• Has windows that open easily and have intact screens on windows that can be easily removed in an emergency;

• Has first aid supplies with a first aid manual;

• Has emergency water and food supplies for a minimum of 3days;

• Has all firearms stored in secure/locked storage areas;

• Has a place to lock up medications;

• Has cleaning supplies and other toxic substances out of the reach of residents;

• Has water, well water and private septic systems that are adequate in size and approved (when applicable);

• Has a written and workable disaster plan; and

• Has record keeping processes developed that meet WAC 388-76-10315 requirements.

Bedroom requirements:

• There must  be no more than two residents per room;

• A single room must have a minimum of 80 square feet of usable floor space, not including closet space and door swings;

• A double room must have a minimum of 120 square feet of usable floor space, not including closet space and door swings;

• Doors, including in the bedroom closet, must be openable from the inside and outside;

• There must be enough lighting in the room for residents to do what they want and for staff to do what they need; and

• There must be enough storage space in each bedroom to meet the needs of the residents.

Bathroom requirements:

• Residents must be able to get to toilets and bath/shower facilities easily;

• There must be one toilet for every five people in the house;

• The tub and shower must have grab bars and non-skid surfaces;

• The hot water temperature at fixtures accessible to residents must not exceed 120 degrees F.