In response to the state of emergency related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the department adopted emergency rules under RCW 34.05.350 on June 23, 2020, to amend and suspend portions of WAC 388-97-2400. The emergency rules remained in effect until June 7, 2022. The following rule was in effect during that time:

(1) The nursing home must ensure that each resident bedroom:

(a) Has direct access to a hall or corridor; and

(b) Is located to prevent through traffic.

(2) In a new building or addition, unless otherwise necessary for infection control, each resident bedroom must:

(a) Have an exterior transparent glass window:

(i) With an area equal to at least 1/10th of the bedroom usable floor area;

(ii) Located 24 feet or more from another building or the opposite wall of a court, or 10 feet or more away from a property line, except on street sides;

(iii) Located eight feet or more from any exterior walkway, paved surface, or driveway; and

(iv) With a sill three feet or less above the floor.

(b) Be located on a floor level at or above grade level except for earth berms. "Grade" means the level of ground adjacent to the building floor level measured at the required exterior window. The ground must be level or slope downward for a distance of at least 10 feet from the wall of the building. From there the ground may slope upward to the maximum sill height of the required window at a rate of one foot vertical for two feet horizontal.