(1) A detached one (1) or two (2) family dwelling.

     (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.