DCF 57.40(6)(6) Space requirements. There shall be at least 200 square feet of living space for each resident of the home. “Living space” includes any area that is used by a resident in daily living and excludes unfinished basement, attic, attached garage or similar areas, not usually occupied by a resident in daily living. The licensee shall ensure compliance with all of the following space requirements:

DCF 57.40(6)(a)1.1. Bathrooms shall be indoors.

DCF 57.40(6)(a)2.2. A group home serving only males or only females shall have at least one full bathroom that contains a toilet, sink, and a tub or shower available for use by residents. A group home initially licensed on or after January 1, 2006, serving males and females shall have 2 full bathrooms that are gender specific, each containing a toilet, sink and a tub or shower, unless the department grants an exception under s. DCF 57.02.

DCF 57.40(6)(a)3.3. A bathroom that can be accessed only through a room used as a bedroom may not be counted as being available for use by residents who do not occupy that bedroom.

DCF 57.40(6)(a)4.4. If the total number of residents and children of residents over the age of 2 years exceeds 10, there shall be 2 full bathrooms.

DCF 57.40(6)(b)1.1. Each bedroom shall have a door that allows for privacy and a window that allows natural light to enter.

DCF 57.40(6)(b)2.2. At least one wall of each room used as a bedroom by a resident shall be an outside wall.

DCF 57.40(6)(b)3.3. For group homes licensed before January 1, 2006, the floor space of each bedroom shall be as follows:

DCF 57.40(6)(b)3.a.a. A bedroom that is used by one resident shall have at least 55 square feet of floor space.

DCF 57.40(6)(b)3.b.b. A bedroom that is occupied by 2 residents shall have at least 50 square feet of floor space for each resident.

DCF 57.40(6)(b)3.c.c. A bedroom that is occupied by 3 or more residents shall have at least 45 square feet of floor space for each resident.

DCF 57.40(6)(b)3.d.d. A bedroom that is occupied by a custodial parent and that parent’s child or children shall have the additional square footage required in s. DCF 57.36 (7).

DCF 57.40(6)(b)4.4. For a group home that is licensed after the effective date of this rule, January 1, 2006, all of the following shall apply:

DCF 57.40(6)(b)4.a.a. A bedroom that is used by one resident shall have at least 80 square feet of floor space. If the resident is non-ambulatory or uses adaptive devices for ambulating, the bedroom shall have at least 100 square feet of floor space.

DCF 57.40(6)(b)4.b.b. A bedroom that is used by more than one resident shall have a minimum of 60 square feet of floor space for each resident. If either or both of the residents are non-ambulatory or uses adaptive devices for ambulation, the bedroom shall have at least 80 square feet of floor space for each resident.

DCF 57.40(6)(b)5.5. The minimum space between beds, cribs, and bassinets shall be at least 2 feet. There shall be at least 5 feet of space between bunk beds. The top deck of a bunk bed shall be at least 3 feet below the lowest point of the ceiling and there shall be at least 3 feet between upper and lower bunks.

DCF 57.40(6)(c)(c) Dining areas. Dining areas shall be of sufficient size to permit all residents and staff to sit down for meals at one time.

DCF 57.40(6)(d)1.1. The kitchen shall be equipped with a stove, refrigerator, cooking and eating utensils, and any other appliance or utensil that may be required to meet the needs of each resident.

DCF 57.40(6)(d)2.2. Each refrigerator and freezer shall be equipped with a clearly visible, accurate thermometer. Refrigerators shall be maintained at 40° Fahrenheit or lower. Freezers shall be maintained at 0° Fahrenheit or lower.

DCF 57.40(6)(e)(e) Storage space. A group home shall have storage space to accommodate clothing and other personal items of each resident of the group home.

DCF 57.40(6)(f)(f) Study areas. There shall be a quiet area in the group home suitable for study.

DCF 57.40(6)(g)(g) Laundry. Laundry facilities shall be available to meet the needs of all residents. Any laundry equipment in the group home shall be installed and vented in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.

DCF 57.40 HistoryHistory: CR 04-067: cr. Register September 2005 No. 597, eff. 1-1-06; corrections in (3) (a) 2., (6) (a) 2. and (b) 3. d. made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register November 2008 No. 635; correction in (3) (a) 2. made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register August 2011 No. 668; EmR1106: emerg. cr. (7), eff. 9-16-11; CR 11-026: cr. (7) Register December 2011 No. 672, eff.1-1-12.

DCF 57.41(1)(1) Windows and doors that are used for ventilation shall be properly screened.