11B-604.3 Clearance

Note: Portions of this document or referenced document qualify for 2013 CBC Section 11B-202.4, Exception 2, and all or part of this information may only apply to California “Safe Harbored” elements addressed in that Exception.

11B-604.3 Clearance.

Clearances around water closets and in toilet compartments shall comply with Section 11B-604.3.

11B-604.3.1 Size.

Clearance around a water closet shall be 60 inches (1524 mm) minimum measured perpendicular from the side wall and 56 inches (1422 mm) minimum measured perpendicular from the rear wall. A minimum 60 inches (1524 mm) wide and 48 inches (1219 mm) deep maneuvering space shall be provided in front of the water closet.

Exception: In residential dwelling units complying with Section 11B-233.3.1.1, maneuvering space in front of the water closet shall be a minimum 60 inches (1524 mm) wide and 36 inches (914 mm) deep.

[S.H. 1115B.3.2, Item 3] [S.H. 1115B.4.1, Item 1]

[2010 ADAS] 604.3.1 Size. Clearance around a water closet shall be 60 inches (1525 mm) minimum measured perpendicular from the side wall and 56 inches (1420 mm) minimum measured perpendicular from the rear wall.

ETA Editor's Note

The 2013 CBC 11B-604.3 requirement for clearance in front of accessible water closets exceeds the 2010 ADAS requirement, but a door may swing into the added clearance.

The clearance around a water closet is shown in plan view to be 60 inches wide minimum and 56 inches deep minimum with additional maneuvering space in front of the water closet clear floor space, in which a door is permitted to swing over.

FIGURE 11B-604.3.1 ‡‡

SIZE OF CLEARANCE AT WATER CLOSETS

11B-604.3.2 Overlap.

The required clearance around the water closet shall be permitted to overlap the water closet, associated grab bars, dispensers, sanitary napkin disposal units, coat hooks, shelves, accessible routes, clear floor space and clearances required at other fixtures, and the turning space. No other fixtures or obstructions shall be located within the required water closet clearance.

ETA Editor's Note

The Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD), which has jurisdiction over hospitals and long-term care facilities in California, has issued Code Application Notice CAN 2-11B, dated 9/9/14, which includes the following interpretation of Subsection 11B-604.3.2:

Showers are fixtures including a 30 inch x 60 inch clear receptor with a minimum/maximum slope of ¼ inch per foot to a drain (refer to CPC Section 408.5 and CBC Section 11B-608.9), and a threshold, between the shower receptor and the fixture clearance provided outside the shower (CBC Section 11B-608.2.2.1) with a maximum height of ½ inch (CBC Section 11B-608.7). The required clearance around a water closet may overlap the clearance required outside the shower but not overlap the shower fixture threshold or receptor.

Exception: In residential dwelling units, a lavatory complying with Section 11B-606 shall be permitted on the rear wall 18 inches (457 mm) minimum from the water closet centerline where the clearance at the water closet is 66 inches (1676 mm) minimum measured perpendicular from the rear wall.

[2010 ADAS] Advisory 604.3.2 Overlap. When the door to the toilet room is placed directly in front of the water closet, the water closet cannot overlap the required maneuvering clearance for the door inside the room.

The clearance around a water closet is shown in plan view to be 60 inches wide minimum and 66 inches deep minimum with a lavatory permitted on the real wall if the distance between the lavatory nearest edge and the water closet center line is 18 inches minimum.

FIGURE 11B-604.3.2 (EXCEPTION)

OVERLAP OF WATER CLOSET CLEARANCE IN RESIDENTIAL DWELLING UNITS

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2013 California Standards for Accessible Design Pocket Guide