(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)