This regulation requires that all resident sleeping rooms in the governed facility be located at or above the surrounding exterior ground level, explicitly prohibiting resident rooms in basements or below-grade spaces. Facility operators must ensure no residents are housed in below-ground rooms. Survey probes direct inspectors to verify bedroom floor levels meet this standard.
View official sourceF916 (Rev. 173, Issued: 11-22-17, Effective: 11-28-17, Implementation: 11-28-17) §483.90(e)(1)(vii) Have a floor at or above grade level. GUIDANCE: §483.90(e)(1)(vii) “At or above grade level” means a room in which the room floor is at or above the surrounding exterior ground level. No resident rooms in basements or below ground level are allowed. PROBES: §483.90(e)(1)(vii) Are the bedrooms at or above ground level?