1. (1) General requirements.

   1. (a) A licensee shall ensure that the premises are in compliance with state and local building, fire, health, and zoning codes.
   2. (b) The premises and all furnishings and equipment on the premises shall be kept in a state of good repair and in a safe, operable, and sanitary condition.
   3. (c) The department may require a licensee to obtain an inspection of the premises and of the heating, electrical, plumbing, water, or sewage system to determine if any safety or health problem exists.

2. (2) Water. A group home shall have all of the following:

   1. (a) An adequate and safe water supply.
   2. (b) An operable water heater sufficient to meet the needs of all residents.
3. (3) Sewer. A group home shall have an adequate sewage disposal system.

4. (4) Heating.

   1. (a) A group home shall be equipped with a heating system that is maintained in a safe and operable condition.
   2. (b) Unvented gas, oil, or kerosene space heaters may not be used.
5. (5) Lighting. All habitable rooms shall have electric lighting sufficient to meet the needs of persons in the group home.
6. (6) Phone. A group home shall have at least one operating phone or other communication device capable of completing a phone call that is available to staff members and residents at all times.
7. (7) First aid supplies. Each group home shall have sufficient first aid supplies to provide care to the maximum number of residents allowed under the group home license.
8. (8) Seating. A group home shall have enough seating to allow all residents and staff members to dine and recreate together.

9. (9) Bathroom.

   1. (a) A group home shall have at least one bathroom that contains a toilet, a sink, a tub or shower with hot and cold water, and a window that opens or an exhaust fan that ventilates to the outside.
   2. (b) A bathroom that can be accessed only through a room used as a bedroom may not be counted as being available for use by a resident who does not occupy that bedroom.

10. (10) Bedroom.

    1. (a) Each bedroom shall have a door and a window that can be opened and closed.
    2. (b) The licensee shall ensure that each resident has clean sleeping supplies, including a bed, mattress, pillow, and linens, as appropriate for the needs and age of the resident.
    3. (c) There shall be space for a resident or staff member to pass between beds.
    4. (d) A room that others must pass through to get to another part of the group home may not be used as a bedroom for a resident.
    5. (e) Regular sleeping provisions for residents may not be in a structure that is separate from the group home or in an unfinished attic, an unfinished basement, a hall, or any other room that is not typically used for sleeping purposes.

11. (11) Sleeping arrangements.

    1. (a)

       1. 1. No more than 2 residents may share a bedroom.
       2. 2. Notwithstanding subd. 1., a licensee that is issued an initial probationary license under s. 48.69, Stats., on or after June 1, 2026, shall provide each resident with their own bedroom.

    2. (b) In determining whether residents will share a bedroom, the program director or group home manager shall consider all of the following for each resident:

       1. 1. Physical safety.
       2. 2. Developmental status.
       3. 3. Treatment needs, including trauma history and behavioral needs.
       4. 4. Preferences of the resident.

    3. (c) A resident who is 18 years of age or older may not share a bedroom with a resident who is under 18 years of age, unless the resident who is 18 years of age or older is any of the following:

       1. 1. Related to the other resident.
       2. 2. Continuing to share a bedroom with a resident with whom they had already been sharing the bedroom with prior to turning 18 years of age.
12. (12) Storage space. A group home shall have enough storage space to accommodate each resident’s clothing and personal items.

13. (13) Kitchen and dining.

    1. (a) The kitchen and dining facilities shall be clean and equipped for sanitary preparation, service, and proper preservation and storage of food.
    2. (b) Spoiled or expired food shall be disposed of immediately.
    3. (c) Food in bulging or leaking cans, or in cans without labels, may not be used.
    4. (d) Dry food shall be stored in a covered container or food storage bag and labeled with the contents and expiration date.
    5. (e) Leftover food shall be marked with the date of preparation and stored at temperatures that protect against spoilage.
14. (14) Laundry. Laundry facilities and supplies shall be available to meet the needs of each resident.

15. (15) Exits.

    1. (a) Access to exits shall be unobstructed at all times.
    2. (b) Habitable rooms on or above the second floor or in a basement shall comply with s. SPS 321.03 (2) and (5).
    3. (c) Access to and exit from a habitable room shall be appropriate given the resident’s age; level of functioning; mobility level; and use of assistive equipment, such as a wheelchair, scooter, or walker.
16. (16) Stairways. Each stairway shall have adequate lighting, be unobstructed, and have a nonslip surface and a handrail.
17. (17) Smoking. A licensee shall prohibit smoking, vaping, or any activity that produces secondhand smoke on the group home premises and in vehicles used to transport a resident. This prohibition does not apply to traditional or established spiritual or cultural ceremonies that involve the use of tobacco.

History

History: CR 26-005: cr. Register May 2026 No. 845, eff. 6-1-26.