(a)
In general.
Each permit holder shall ensure the
residents' health, safety, comfort, and protection through the standards
contained in this section that address the construction, remodeling,
and maintenance of a boarding home facility.
(b)
Applicable regulations.
Each boarding home facility
must comply with the following codes and regulations:
(1)
Local zoning, building and property maintenance codes;
(2)
Federal, state, or local adopted fire codes and standards;
(3)
Federal, state, and local health and safety codes; and
(4)
Federal and state accessibility regulations.
(c)
Public pathways and stairways.
A public pathway
or stairway in a building must maintain a minimum unobstructed width
in accordance with the local fire code, as amended, and must be provided
with a convenient light switch controlling an adequate light system.
(d)
Maintenance.
(1)
The permit holder shall maintain the dwelling and premises in
a clean and sanitary condition.
(2)
The permit holder shall keep a boarding home facility in good
repair and maintenance in a manner that will promote the health, comfort,
safety, and well-being of residents.
(3)
The permit holder shall be responsible for the extermination
of any insects, rodents or other pests in the rooms occupied by residents,
storage areas, attics, or on the premises or yard.
(Ordinance 1374-2023 adopted 4/11/2023)
(a)
Sleeping space per person.
Each room occupied
for sleeping purposes by one occupant must contain at least 70 square
feet of floor space, and every room occupied for sleeping purposes
by more than one person must contain at least 50 square feet of floor
space for each occupant;
(b)
Beds spaced at least three feet apart when placed side-by-side
or end-to-end;
(c)
At least a seven feet, six inches ceiling height;
(d)
Required accessibility for nonambulatory residents and residents
with conditions that substantially limit ambulation and/or mobility;
(e)
Beds at least six feet long and three feet wide equipped with
supportive springs in good condition and a clean supportive mattress
in good condition, and a mattress cover that prevents bodily fluids
from soiling the mattress;
(f)
At least one pillow with a clean pillowcase, 2 clean sheets,
and a cover such as a blanket or quilt, in good condition, per bed,
cleaned weekly or more often if soiled;
(g)
Extra bed linens, including sheets, pillowcase and blankets
must be available to each resident;
(h)
At least 1 chest of drawers or equivalent, in good condition
having a sufficient number of drawers or other areas to contain all
necessary items of clothing and personal belongings of each resident
that can be locked/secured;
(i)
At least 1 chair in good condition in each sleeping room;
(j)
At least 1 end table in good condition located adjacent to each
bed in each sleeping room;
(k)
Sufficient closet space to allow clothes not stored in drawers
to be hung. Clothing cannot be stored on the floor;
(l)
Bath towels, washcloths, soap, individual comb and toothbrush
must be available at all times and in quantity sufficient to meet
the needs of the residents; and
(m)
Emergency exit.
Each sleeping room must provide
access to an emergency exit without passing through another sleeping
room.
(Ordinance 1374-2023 adopted 4/11/2023)
A telephone that is connected to a land line must be available
24 hours a day, be easily accessible, and afford privacy for use by
residents. A list of emergency telephone numbers, including the numbers
of the local police department, local fire department, ambulance,
the city department that issued the boarding home permit, the Texas
Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), the local mental
health authority, and the Texas Information and Referral Network,
must be placed in plain view on or next to the telephone and made
accessible to persons who are visually or hearing impaired, as needed.
(Ordinance 1374-2023 adopted 4/11/2023)
(a)
A kitchen must be accessible to each resident without going
through a sleeping room of another resident.
(b)
A kitchen must have a food preparation area of at least six
square feet that is smooth, impermeable, free of cracks, and easily
cleanable.
(c)
A kitchen must contain a minimum floor space of sixty square
feet for dining area. A kitchen with an attached dining area must
be at least 100 square feet in area.
(d)
A kitchen must contain a two compartment sink with for manual
dishwashing.
(e)
A kitchen must contain an operational cooking stove with at
least two burners fueled by gas or electricity.
(f)
A kitchen must contain at least one cabinet with a minimum of
five cubic feet of storage space per resident, suitable for storage
of food and utensils.
(g)
The permit holder shall keep the kitchen in a clean and sanitary
condition.
(Ordinance 1374-2023 adopted 4/11/2023)