§ 00011-15. Minimum Sanitation Standards.

(A)

Construction and Development.

(1)

The exterior premises at a transient accommodation site shall be well graded and drained and so located that its drainage will not create a nuisance or a hazard to health.

(2)

If public sewer connections are not available to the site, the site shall be suitable as to area, topography, and soil conditions so that a proper sewage disposal system can be provided as required by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.

(B)

Exterior Premises.

(1)

Exterior premises shall be kept free of accumulations of refuse, garbage, rubbish, and debris.

(2)

Driveways, parking lots, and walkways shall be adequately lighted and maintained in a safe and sanitary condition.

(3)

Immediate surroundings and premises shall be kept clean and free from growth of nuisance vegetation, discarded materials, and unsanitary conditions.

(C)

Housing and Structure.

(1)

A transient accommodation shall comply with any state and/or local code applicable to the establishment.

(2)

Every transient accommodation building and every part of such building shall be maintained in a state of good repair.

(3)

Floors, walls and ceilings shall be of sound construction and shall be maintained clean and in good repair.

(4)

Adequate and safe hand railings shall be provided for all stairways, porches, and balconies.

(5)

The floors, walls, ceilings, and fixtures in both private and public toilet and bathing facilities shall be constructed of cleanable, non-absorbent materials.

(6)

A sufficient number of bathrooms, mop sinks, service sinks and hand sinks shall be provided at all transient accommodations according to local and state building and plumbing code.

(7)

All equipment, fixtures, furniture and furnishings shall be kept clean and maintained in good repair, including but not limited to windows, draperies, curtains, and carpets within individual units, corridors, stairways or other areas occupied or used by guests.

(8)

Floor and wall-mounted furnishings shall be easily moved to allow for cleaning and pest monitoring or mounted in such a manner as to allow for monitoring for pests and for cleaning around or under such furnishings.

(9)

No guest room shall contain less than 100 square feet of floor space excluding toilet and/or bathing facility, and shall have a ceiling height of at least eight feet measured from finished floor to finished ceiling.

(10)

No room shall be overcrowded with permanent furniture and fixtures provided by the operator of the establishment. This rule does not apply to roll away beds, pop up cribs, or sofa sleepers.

(11)

All rooms shall have sufficient ventilation to keep them free of excessive heat, steam, condensation, vapors, obnoxious odors, smoke and fumes. Ventilation systems shall be installed and operated according to code, and when vented to the outside shall not create an unsightly, harmful, or unlawful discharge.

(12)

All transient accommodations shall have sufficient natural and/or artificial lighting to provide for cleaning purposes, safety and normal comfort of guests (recommend 10 to 20 foot candles 30 inches off the floor.)

(13)

All transient accommodations used during periods requiring artificial heat shall be provided with a safe and adequate source of heat capable of maintaining room temperature of not less than 72°F (22°C) during the time of occupancy.

(D)

Water Supply.

(1)

Water for new transient accommodations shall be obtained from a community water supply when such is available. If a community water supply is not available, a non-community properly located, constructed, and maintained water supply system of sufficient capacity to meet the needs of the guests and employees of a transient accommodation shall be provided. Such water supply shall meet the standards of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency ("OEPA"). Existing transient accommodations may continue to use a non-community water supply as long as the quantity and quality of water is maintained.

(2)

Drinking fountains, if provided, shall be constructed of impervious materials, shall have an angle-jet nozzle protected by a non-oxidizing guard above the overflow rim of the bowl, and shall be equipped with a pressure regulating valve.

(3)

Ice provided for guests shall be produced, stored, and dispensed in a sanitary manner, and shall be protected from becoming contaminated. All open bin type ice machines where a guest could come into direct contact with the ice shall be replaced with a non-direct contact type machine (i.e., prepackaged; dispensed through a protected chute, etc.) when the existing machine becomes non-useable. This rule is not applicable to ice makers within a refrigerator in the guest rooms.

(4)

A back siphonage or backflow prevention device installed on a water supply system shall meet American Society of Sanitary Engineering Standards and Table 609 of Rule 4101:2-61-09 of the Ohio Administrative Code for construction, installation, maintenance, inspection, and testing for that specific application and type of device.

(E)

Equipment and Utensils.

(1)

All multi-use utensils and food contact surfaces provided for use to guests shall be constructed of materials as per Ohio Administrative Code 3717-001-04.0. Characteristics of the materials shall not allow the migration of deleterious substances or impart colors, odors, or tastes to food and under normal use conditions shall be:

(a)

Safe;

(b)

Durable, corrosion-resistant and non-absorbent;

(c)

Sufficient in weight and thickness to withstand repeated ware washing;

(d)

Finished to have a smooth, easily cleanable surface;

(e)

Resistant to pitting, chipping, crazing, scratching, scoring, distortion, and decomposition.

(2)

Multi-use utensils shall be washed and sanitized in approved ware washing equipment each day the room is serviced and items used as set forth by Ohio Administrative Code 3717-01-04.4.

(3)

All multi-use equipment and utensils shall be washed and sanitized according to procedures set forth in the Ohio Administrative Code 3717-01-04.5 to 04.6,

(4)

Cleaned and sanitized equipment, utensils or single-use items shall be handled and stored in such a way as to be protected from contamination. They shall not be stored:

(a)

Under sewage lines that are shielded to intercept potential drips;

(b)

Under leaking water lines including leaking automatic fire sprinkler heads or under lines in which water has condensed; or

(c)

Under other sources of contamination.

(5)

After placement in a guest room, cleaned and sanitized equipment, utensils or single-use items shall be individually wrapped or stored on a clean surface in an inverted position or in a manner that prevents contamination of the food contact surfaces.

(6)

Single-use items shall not be reused.

(7)

A single-used plastic disposable liner may be used in ice buckets in guest rooms.

(F)

Sewage Disposal.

(1)

Sewage shall be discharged into a public sewer system whenever available.

(2)

In the event that a public sewer system is not available, sewage shall be disposed of in an approved on-site sewage disposal system. In the event the on-site sewage system fails or a public sewer system becomes available, connection to the public sewer system may be required by the Health Commissioner.

(G)

Toilet and Hand Washing Facilities.

(1)

Both private and public toilet facilities in transient accommodations shall be constructed, located, and maintained so as to prevent any nuisance or public health hazard and shall be kept clean and in good repair.

(2)

Flush type toilets, lavatory facilities with hot and cold running water under pressure, and bathing facilities shall be provided at all transient accommodations, and such facilities shall be easily accessible and available to guests at all times.

(3)

All toilet and hand washing facilities, public and private, shall be properly provisioned with soap, and approved means of hand drying and toilet tissue. This paragraph does not prohibit the use of multi-use towels provided:

(a)

The multi-use towels are for use within guest rooms only; and

(b)

The multi-use towels shall be changed before renting the room to a different guest.

(4)

At least one hand washing facility shall be provided and conveniently located for use by employees and meet the requirements specified under paragraph (3) of this rule.

(5)

All transient accommodations shall provide private toilet and bathing facilities except where existing central toilet facilities are being utilized prior to the effective date of these regulations.

(H)

Solid Waste Disposal.

(1)

Outdoor solid waste receptacles shall be corrosion resistant, easily cleanable, and pest-proof. Containers shall have tight-fitting lids/doors, which are to remain closed during times when the container is not in use. In those containers that have drains, drain plugs shall remain in place at all times, except for cleaning.

(2)

At least one waste receptacle shall be provided for each transient accommodation guest room.

(3)

Outdoor solid waste receptacles shall be large enough to store the garbage that accumulates on the premises and shall be located on a smooth, non-absorbent material, such as concrete or machine laid asphalt.

(4)

Areas surrounding outdoor solid waste receptacles shall be maintained clean and in good repair.

(5)

Outdoor solid waste receptacles shall be cleaned as frequently as necessary to prevent nuisance.

(6)

All waste receptacles used in transient accommodations shall be easily cleanable and maintained in good repair.

(7)

All waste shall be collected daily from guest rooms and other areas frequently used by guests. The trash shall be stored in larger containers before being taken to outdoor waste receptacles only if the container is of sound construction and easily cleanable.

(8)

Solid waste shall be collected from the transient accommodation at least once per week or as frequently as needed. The trash shall be collected, transferred and disposed of in a safe and sanitary manner. The transient accommodation shall follow all local refuse collection regulations that may apply.

(I)

Laundry Facilities.

(1)

Laundry facilities, if provided, shall be kept clean and in good repair and of a sufficient capacity to handle all the laundering needs of the transient accommodation.

(2)

Laundry facilities operated in conjunction with, or utilized by a transient accommodation shall:

(a)

Provide and use mechanical water connected to a water supply system capable of supplying hot water; and

(b)

Provide and use a hot air tumble dryer.

(3)

Areas for handling, transporting, and storing of soiled laundry shall be kept separate from clean laundry.

(4)

All containers for transporting or storage of soiled and clean laundry shall be of impervious, cleanable construction, or otherwise protected so as to be maintained in a sanitary condition.

(5)

All clean linens shall be stored off the floor and in an approved manner.

(6)

All dryers shall be properly vented according to state and/or local building code.

(7)

Separate laundry facilities may be provided for the use of guests if these are located in a different room or area separate from the main laundry facilities.

(8)

The use of the main laundry facilities shall be restricted to the washing and drying of linens, towels, bedding covers, blankets, pillow cases, pillows, shower curtains, and drapes necessary to the transient accommodations. The following exceptions apply:

(a)

if the transient accommodation offers laundry services to the guests then the guests' laundry must be washed and dried separately from the above mentioned items and at a separate time; and

(b)

If the transient accommodation washes staff uniforms, aprons, or other clothing or laundered items necessary to the operation, then these like items shall be washed and dried separately from the above mentioned items.

(J)

Bedding and Linen.

(1)

All bedding including mattresses, mattress covers, mattress pads, quilts, blankets, pillows, sheets, pillow slips or spreads for the use of guests shall be kept clean and shall not be used after becoming stained or worn so as to be unfit for further use.

(2)

Each bed, bunk, cot, and other sleeping place shall be provided with a pillow, a suitable pillow case per pillow, a top and bottom sheet, mattress pad or cover, and a bedspread and/or blanket.

(3)

Sheets, pillow cases, towels, and bath mats shall be changed out and/or laundered between guests.

(4)

Sheets used by the same guest for more than one day shall be changed at least twice a week or more often if needed, or upon guest request.

(5)

Mattress pads, blankets, and bedspreads shall be laundered every month or more often as necessary to be maintained clean.

(K)

Housekeeping and Safety.

(1)

Janitors closets, supply charts, mops, pail, brushes, and other cleaning equipment shall be kept clean and in a state of good repair or shall be replaced as needed.

(2)

All original containers of chemicals must bear the manufacturer's label. All working containers of chemicals must be identified with the common name of the chemical contents.

(3)

Cleaners used in cleaning bathtubs, showers, lavatories, urinals, and toilet seats shall be comprised of fungicidal or bactericidal contents and shall be capable of disinfecting surfaces.

(4)

All chemicals shall be handled and stored so as to prevent contamination of clothing, utensils and linens. Manufacturers' recommendations must be followed for application of chemicals.

(5)

Housekeeping carts shall be so arranged that clean replacement supplies, clean linens and cleaned and sanitized equipment and utensils shall be protected from soiled items being removed from each room and other sources of contamination.

(6)

Housekeeping carts shall be maintained clean and in good repair.

(L)

Insect and Rodent Control.

(1)

The premises of all transient accommodations shall be kept free of insects, rodents, and other vermin.

(2)

Any person, firm, or company performing pest control operations to control insects, rodents, or other vermin shall be licensed, as provided under Section 921.01 to 921.28 of the Ohio Revised Code.

(3)

Effective measures intended to minimize the presence, harborage, or breeding of rodents, flies, cockroaches, bed bugs, pests, and other insects on the premise shall be utilized.

(4)

All outer openings shall be protected to prevent access to insects, rodents, and other pests by providing tight-fitting outer doors and sealing off all cracks and crevices as deemed necessary.

(M)

Plumbing.

(1)

All plumbing installed in or on the transient accommodation site shall conform to all state and local plumbing code requirements.

(2)

Tempered water of at least 85°F (29°C), or at a temperature specified by local and/or state plumbing code, shall be provided at each bathtub, shower, and hand sink within the transient accommodation.

(3)

Hot water at a temperature required by local and/or state plumbing code shall be provided for purposes of laundering and ware washing.

(N)

Swimming Facilities.

(1)

All swimming pools, bathing beaches and wading pools of transient accommodations shall comply with Section 3701.31-01 to 3701.31-10 inclusive of the Ohio Administrative Code.

(2)

Towels provided by the transient accommodation for guest use within the swimming facilities shall be laundered after being used by the guest.

(O)

Food Service Operations, Retail Food Establishments, or Vending Operations. All food service and vending operations which are part of or are operated in conjunction with a transient accommodation shall be in compliance with the Ohio Administrative Code.

(P)

Pets.

(1)

The operator of a transient accommodation shall establish and enforce rules designed to prohibit or control pets within a transient accommodation. No guest shall allow his pet to run at large.

(2)

The operator of a transient accommodation shall be responsible for cleaning and/or removing of any nuisance created by a pet, if the owner does not take such responsibility.

(March 2008)