This section establishes physical environment standards for living and sleeping quarters in Long-Term Structured Residences (LTSRs), including occupancy limits (no more than two residents per room), minimum square footage requirements, bathroom ratios, accessibility provisions for immobile residents, and furnishing/privacy requirements. Facility operators must ensure bedrooms meet size standards, bathrooms are adequately equipped, and residents have access to recreation/lounge areas. These standards apply to the mental health residential setting licensed under 55 Pa. Code Chapter 5320, governed jointly by OMHSAS and DDAP.
View official source55 Pa. Code § 5320.83 - Living/sleeping quarters State Regulations Compare (a) No more than two residents may be housed in any room regardless of its size. (b) A single occupancy room shall have at least 80 square feet of floor space. Bedrooms for two persons shall have at least 60 square feet of floor space per person and have sufficient floor space to accommodate the items required in § 5320.84 (relating to furnishings and equipment). If a bedroom has a built-in closet, up to 9 square feet per closet may be counted in calculating the square footage of floor space. Bedrooms for one or more immobile residents may require additional square footage sufficient to accommodate the special needs of the resident, such as a wheelchair or special furniture or equipment. (c) Bedroom windows shall have curtains, shades or blinds that cover the entire window when drawn. (d) Residents shall have direct access to bathrooms, kitchens and other living areas without having to pass through the bedroom of another resident. (e) Residents who are immobile shall be given bedrooms on the ground floor closest to the exit. (f) Bunk beds or other raised beds of any type which require a resident to climb steps or ladders to get into or out of bed may not be used. (g) Resident bedrooms are reserved for use by their occupants; they may not be used as common rooms for group activities. (h) There shall be one tub or shower for every six or fewer residents. Each LTSR shall have at least one bathtub. (i) Bathrooms shall be equipped with soap, toilet paper and sanitary towels or a hand blow dryer. Rack space shall be provided in the bathroom for personal towels. The use of common towels is prohibited. (j) Toilet and bath areas shall have grab bars, hand rails and assist bars as needed. Tubs and showers shall have nonslip surfaces. Multiple toilets, bathtubs or showers in the same room shall be enclosed to provide privacy. (k) Residents shall have the use of recreation or lounge areas which, in combination, shall be large enough to accommodate all residents at once. Lounge areas shall be equipped with adequate and appropriate seating, lighting sufficient for reading and tables. A working television and radio shall be available in at least one lounge area. The LTSR provider shall provide reading and recreational materials for residents. Notes 55 Pa. Code § 5320.83 State regulations are updated quarterly; we currently have two versions available. Below is a comparison between our most recent version and the prior quarterly release. More comparison features will be added as we have more versions to compare. No prior version found. State Regulations Toolbox