Visitability standards
Sec. 7. (a) This section applies only to new construction of the
following dwellings:
(1) A detached one (1) or two (2) family dwelling.
(2) A townhouse.
(b) This section does not apply to a mobile structure or an
industrialized building system.
(c) As used in this section, "environmental controls" means
switches or devices that control or regulate lights, temperature, fuses,
fans, doors, security system features, or other features.
(d) As used in this section, "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.
(e) As used in this section, "townhouse" means a single family
dwelling unit constructed in a row of attached units separated by
property lines and with open space on at least two (2) sides.
(f) As used in this section, "visitability feature" means a 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 get in and out through one (1) exterior door of the
dwelling without any steps and to pass through all main floor interior
doors, including a bathroom door.
(g) If a person contracts with a designer and a builder for
construction of a visitability feature in the new construction of a
dwelling, the designer and builder shall comply with the standards
adopted by the commission under this section for the construction
and design of the visitability feature. The standards adopted under
this section:
(1) shall be enforced by a political subdivision that enforces the
commission's standards with respect to Class 2 structures; and
(2) may not be enforced by the department.
(h) The commission shall adopt minimum standards by rule under
IC 4-22-2 for visitability features in the new construction of a
dwelling. The rules shall include minimum standards for the
following:
(1) Entrances to the dwelling, including paths from the dwelling
to the street.
(2) Room dimensions.
(3) The width of exterior and interior doors.
(4) The width of interior hallways.
(5) The grade of interior thresholds and hallways.
(6) The height and location of environmental controls.
(7) The reinforcement of bathroom walls sufficient to attach
grab bars.
As added by P.L.112-2003, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.97-2004,
SEC.85.
Last modified: May 27, 2006