(a) An ALR shall meet applicable zoning, building, housing, sewer, water, fire prevention codes, rules, and regulations of the District of Columbia.
(b) An ALR shall maintain all structures, installed equipment, grounds, and individual living units in good repair and operable.
(c) An ALR may be classified as a residential occupancy and may be located in a single or multi-family dwelling.
(June 24, 2000, D.C. Law 13-127, § 1001, 47 DCR 2647.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Legislative History of Laws
For Law 13-127, see notes following § 44-101.01.
An ALR shall comply with the Life Safety Code of the National Fire Protection Association, NFPA 101, 1997 edition as follows:
(1) An ALR shall be in compliance with Chapter 22, New Residential Board and Care Occupancies, Life Safety Code of the National Fire Protection Association; and
(2) An existing community residence facility that is converting to an ALR shall be in compliance with Chapter 23, Existing Residential Board and Care Occupancies, of the Life Safety Code of the National Fire Protection Association.
(June 24, 2000, D.C. Law 13-127, § 1002, 47 DCR 2647.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Legislative History of Laws
For Law 13-127, see notes following § 44-101.01.
(a) An ALR shall ensure that the exterior of its facility, including walkways, yards, porches, chimney, gutters, downspouts, paintable surfaces, and accessory buildings are maintained structurally sound, sanitary, and in good repair.
(b) An ALR that provides services to residents who use wheelchairs, shall make reasonable accommodations to render the ALR accessible to residents who use wheelchairs through the installation of a chair lift, curbcuts, an exterior ramp, or like accommodations.
(June 24, 2000, D.C. Law 13-127, § 1003, 47 DCR 2647; Sept. 26, 2012, D.C. Law 19-169, § 27(b), 59 DCR 5567.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Effect of Amendments
D.C. Law 19-169, in subsec. (b), substituted "residents who use wheelchairs" for "wheelchair-bound residents" and "residents who use wheelchairs" for "residents who are wheel-chair bound".
Legislative History of Laws
For Law 13-127, see notes following § 44-101.01.
For history of Law 19-169, see notes under § 44-102.01.
(a) An ALR shall ensure that the interior of its facility including walls, ceilings, doors, windows, equipment, and fixtures are maintained structurally sound, sanitary, and in good repair.
(b) An ALR shall ensure that floors and stairways provide a clean, slip-resistant, and safe surface, free of tripping hazards.
(c) An ALR shall install and maintain assist handrails or grab bars, whenever practicable, on each side of interior stairways and on one side of corridors and in bathrooms.
(d) An ALR shall provide common areas for social and recreational use totaling at least 35 square feet per resident for living, dining, therapy, and recreational activities.
(June 24, 2000, D.C. Law 13-127, § 1004, 47 DCR 2647.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Legislative History of Laws
For Law 13-127, see notes following § 44-101.01.
An ALR that provides services for residents who use wheelchairs, shall insure that:
(1) Doorways and hallways provide a clear opening of at least 32 inches; and
(2) Thresholds exceeding 1/2 inch are modified to provide a 1:12 maximum slope.
(June 24, 2000, D.C. Law 13-127, § 1005, 47 DCR 2647; Sept. 26, 2012, D.C. Law 19-169, § 27(c), 59 DCR 5567.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Effect of Amendments
D.C. Law 19-169 substituted "residents who use wheelchairs" for "wheelchair-bound residents".
Legislative History of Laws
For Law 13-127, see notes following § 44-101.01.
For history of Law 19-169, see notes under § 44-102.01.
(a) An ALR shall ensure that there is one full bathroom, for every 6 residents, including live-in family or staff. Additional full or half baths shall be available to non-live-in staff. No resident shall be required to traverse more than one flight of stairs to access a bathroom and appropriate accommodations shall be made for residents who are unable to climb stairs.
(b) When applicable, bathrooms shall contain adequate space and strategically located grab bars to allow residents who use wheelchairs to utilize toilets, tubs, showers, and wash basins without traversing a stair way.
(c) An ALR shall insure that the temperature of the hot water at all taps to which residents have access is controlled by the use of thermostatically controlled mixing valves or by other means, including control at the source, so that the water temperature does not exceed 110 degrees Fahrenheit.
(June 24, 2000, D.C. Law 13-127, § 1006, 47 DCR 2647; Sept. 26, 2012, D.C. Law 19-169, § 27(d), 59 DCR 5567.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Effect of Amendments
D.C. Law 19-169, in subsec. (b), substituted "residents who use wheelchairs" for "wheelchair-bound residents".
Legislative History of Laws
For Law 13-127, see notes following § 44-101.01.
For history of Law 19-169, see notes under § 44-102.01.
(a) An ALR shall ensure that each facility is lighted and ventilated in accordance with Title 12 of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations (District of Columbia Construction Codes Supplement of 1992). Artificial night lights for corridors and exterior security lighting shall be installed.
(b) Each room shall have either a functioning ceiling light fixture or another source of artificial light.
(c) An ALR shall ensure that heating and air conditioning equipment is maintained to ensure that:
(1) During waking hours, an interior temperature throughout the facility of at least 72 degrees Fahrenheit when outside temperatures are 65 degrees Fahrenheit or below, is maintained throughout the facility;
(2) During sleeping hours, an interior temperature of at least 68 degrees Fahrenheit, when outside temperatures are 65 degrees Fahrenheit or below, is maintained throughout the facility;
(3) For individual units, heating and air conditioning shall be maintained at a temperature which is comfortable for the individual resident, whenever practicable; and
(4) When inside temperature exceeds 85 degrees Fahrenheit, mechanically cooled air shall be used in areas of the building used by residents with no inside area used by the residents allowed to exceed 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
(June 24, 2000, D.C. Law 13-127, § 1007, 47 DCR 2647.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Legislative History of Laws
For Law 13-127, see notes following § 44-101.01.
(a) An ALR located in an existing building shall ensure that bedrooms provide at least 70 square feet of habitable space for single occupancy resident units and 100 square feet of habitable space in double occupancy resident units. Each bedroom shall have adequate dresser and closet or wardrobe space for residents' seasonal clothing and personal belongings. A secure storage space in a resident's unit shall be made available if requested by the resident.
(b) Any ALR located in a building newly constructed or renovated after June 24, 2000 shall ensure that bedrooms provide at least 80 sq. ft. of habitable space for single occupancy and 120 sq. ft. of habitable space for double occupancy.
(c) An ALR shall ensure that each resident has an adult size bed with clean comfortable mattress and extra linens. Additional furnishings, such as night stand, desk, chair, mirror, waste basket, etc., shall be made available, subject to residents wishes and tastes. Beds in double occupancy bedrooms must be at least 3 feet apart. Residents may choose to provide their own furnishings after being made aware of the furnishings that the facility is required to provide. All furnishings must meet the Fire Safety Code and be maintained in good repair.
(June 24, 2000, D.C. Law 13-127, § 1008, 47 DCR 2647.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Legislative History of Laws
For Law 13-127, see notes following § 44-101.01.
An ALR shall provide a kitchen that has the following:
(1) Storage, refrigerator, or freezer space for perishable and nonperishable foods;
(2) Food preparation areas with cleanable surfaces;
(3) Equipment to prepare and serve food at safe and palatable temperatures; and
(4) Sufficient equipment and staffing to be in compliance with section 1116 of Title 14 of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations, as those regulations are applicable to boarding houses.
(June 24, 2000, D.C. Law 13-127, § 1009, 47 DCR 2647.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Legislative History of Laws
For Law 13-127, see notes following § 44-101.01.
An ALR shall provide an on-site laundry facility for use of staff for residents personal laundry. All laundry shall be processed and handled in a manner to prevent the spread of infection by:
(1) Separate processing and storage of incontinent items; and
(2) Sanitizing by hot water and appropriate chemical agents.
(June 24, 2000, D.C. Law 13-127, § 1010, 47 DCR 2647.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Legislative History of Laws
For Law 13-127, see notes following § 44-101.01.
(a) An ALR that provides sleeping accommodations for more than 16 residents shall comply with this subchapter.
(b) The ALR may be free-standing or a distinct part of an institutional occupancy.
(c) The ALR shall be responsible for providing or coordinating personalized care to individuals who reside in their own living units (which may include dually occupied units) which may or may not include a kitchenette or living rooms and which contain bedrooms.
(d) Living units may or may not include bathrooms; except that, no more than 4 residents shall share a common bathroom. Shared bathrooms shall be in close proximity and on the same floor as living units or bedrooms.
(e) Living units or bedrooms may be locked at the discretion of the residents, except when the resident's assessment documents indicate otherwise.
(f) An ALR shall have a central dining room, living room or parlor, and common activity center (which may also serve as living rooms or dining rooms).
(g) An ALR providing 17 beds or more shall be in compliance with section 512 of Title 12 of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations, making the facility accessible to residents with physical disabilities and aged residents.
(h) An ALR shall ensure that all food is prepared and served in accordance with Chapters 20 through 24 of Title 23 of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations and shall organize plumbing facilities to insure that food is processed and served so as to be safe for human consumption.
(June 24, 2000, D.C. Law 13-127, § 1011, 47 DCR 2647; Apr. 24, 2007, D.C. Law 16-305, § 68(b), 53 DCR 6198.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Effect of Amendments
D.C. Law 16-305, in subsec. (g), substituted "residents with physical disabilities" for "physically handicapped".
Legislative History of Laws
For Law 13-127, see notes following § 44-101.01.
For Law 16-305, see notes following § 44-102.01.
A Certificate of Need shall not be required for Assisted Living Residences licensed under this chapter.
(June 24, 2000, D.C. Law 13-127, § 1012, 47 DCR 2647.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Legislative History of Laws
For Law 13-127, see notes following § 44-101.01.
