Authority: IC 22-13-2-2; IC 22-13-2-13; IC 22-13-4-7

Affected: IC 22-12; IC 22-13; IC 22-14; IC 22-15; IC 36-7

Sec. 2. The following definitions apply throughout this rule:

1. (1) "Accessible" means that a dwelling or portion of a dwelling can be approached, entered, and used by persons with a disability.
2. (2) "Accessible route" means a continuous unobstructed path connecting accessible elements and spaces in a building or within a site that can be negotiated by a person with a disability using a wheelchair. Interior accessible routes may include corridors, floors, and ramps. Exterior accessible routes may include parking access aisles, curb ramps, walks, and ramps.
3. (3) "Adaptable dwelling units" means dwelling units that include one (1) or more of any features of adaptable design specified in section 3 of this rule.

4. (4) "Bathroom" means a bathroom, which includes a water closet (toilet), lavatory (sink), and bathtub or shower. The term does not include single-fixture facilities or those with only a water closet and lavatory. The term includes a compartmented bathroom, which is:

   1. (A) one in which the fixtures are distributed among interconnected rooms;
   2. (B) considered a single unit; and
   3. (C) subject to the requirements for bathrooms.
5. (5) "Building", for the purpose of this rule, means a structure, facility, or portion thereof that contains or serves a one (1) or two (2) family dwelling or townhouse.
6. (6) "Building entrance on an accessible route" means an accessible entrance to a building within the site where the dwelling is located that is connected by an accessible route to public streets or sidewalks.
7. (7) "Clear" means unobstructed.

8. (8) "Dwelling unit" means a single unit of residence for a household of one (1) or more persons. Buildings containing dwelling units include the following:

   1. (A) Single-family dwellings.
   2. (B) Duplexes.
   3. (C) Class 1 townhouses.
9. (9) "Entrance" means any exterior access point to a building or portion of a building used by residents for the purpose of entering. For purposes of this rule, the term does not include a door used primarily as a service entrance, even if residents without disabilities occasionally use that door to enter.

10. (10) "Environmental controls" means switches or devices that control or regulate:

    1. (A) lights;
    2. (B) temperature;
    3. (C) fuses;
    4. (D) fans;
    5. (E) doors;
    6. (F) security system features; or
    7. (G) other features.

11. (11) "Loft" means an intermediate level between the floor and ceiling of any story located within a room or rooms of a dwelling that does not contain the only:

    1. (A) bathing facility;
    2. (B) lavatory;
    3. (C) water closet;
    4. (D) living area;
    5. (E) eating area; or
    6. (F) cooking area;
12. within the dwelling unit.
13. (12) "Multistory dwelling unit" means a dwelling unit with finished living space located on one (1) floor and the floor or floors immediately above or below it.
14. (13) "New construction" means the construction of a new dwelling on a vacant lot. The term does not include an addition to or remodeling of an existing building.
15. (14) "Powder room" means a room with only a water closet (toilet) and lavatory (sink).
16. (15) "Single-story dwelling unit" means a dwelling unit with all finished living space located on one (1) floor.
17. (16) "Site" means a parcel of land bounded by a property line or a designated portion of a public right-of-way.

18. (17) "Townhouse" means a single-family dwelling unit:

    1. (A) constructed in a row of attached units separated by property lines; and
    2. (B) with open space on at least two (2) sides.
19. A townhouse is regulated by the Indiana Residential Code (675 IAC 14) as a Class 1 structure.

20. (18) "Visitability feature" means any design feature of a dwelling that allows a person with a mobility impairment to enter and comfortably stay in a dwelling for a duration of time. The term includes features that allow a person with a mobility impairment to:

    1. (A) get in and out through one (1) exterior door of the dwelling without any steps; and
    2. (B) pass through all main floor interior doors, including a bathroom.
21. (19) "Visitable" means that a visitability feature is provided to render a portion of a dwelling accessible.

(Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission; 675 IAC 27-1-2; filed Sep 12, 2005, 9:48 a.m.: 29 IR 504; readopted filed Aug 4, 2011, 8:35 a.m.: 20110831-IR-675110254RFA; readopted filed Mar 10, 2017, 9:37 a.m.: 20170405-IR- 675170005RFA; readopted filed May 11, 2023, 2:22 p.m.: 20230607-IR-675230104RFA)