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2019 California Standards for Accessible Design Guide (effective January 1, 2020 with July 1, 2021 amendments)

SECTION 1136A ELECTRICAL RECEPTACLE, SWITCH AND CONTROL HEIGHTS

1136A.1 Receptacle heights.

Electrical receptacle outlets on branch circuits of 30 amperes or less and communication system receptacles shall be located no more than 48 inches (1219 mm) measured from the top of the receptacle outlet box nor less than 15 inches (381 mm) measured from the bottom of the receptacle outlet box to the level of the finished floor or working platform. If the reach is over a physical barrier or an obstruction (for example, a kitchen base cabinet), receptacles shall be located within the reach ranges specified in Section 1138A.3. Physical barriers and obstructions shall not extend more than 25 inches (635 mm) from the wall beneath the receptacle.

Receptacle outlets that do not satisfy these specifications are acceptable provided that comparable receptacle outlets, that perform the same functions, are provided within the same area and are accessible.

Exceptions:

  1. Receptacle outlets installed as part of permanently installed baseboard heaters are exempt.
  2. Required receptacle outlets shall be permitted in floors when adjacent to sliding panels or walls.
  3. Baseboard electrical outlets used in relocatable partitions, window walls or other electrical convenience floor outlets are not subject to the minimum height requirements.
  4. This section shall not apply to existing buildings when the enforcing agency determines that compliance with these standards would create an unreasonable hardship

1136A.2 Switch and control heights.

Controls or switches intended to be used by the occupant of the room or area to control lighting and receptacle outlets, appliances, alarms or cooling, heating and ventilating equipment shall be located no more than 48 inches (1219 mm) measured from the top of the outlet box nor less than 15 inches (381 mm) measured from the bottom of the outlet box to the level of the finished floor or working platform. If the reach is over a physical barrier or an obstruction (for example, a kitchen base cabinet) switches and controls shall be located within the reach ranges specified in Section 1138A.3. Physical barriers or obstructions shall not extend more than 25 inches (635 mm) from the wall beneath a control.

Switches and controls that do not satisfy these specifications are acceptable provided that comparable controls or outlets, that perform the same functions, are provided within the same area and are accessible

Exception: Appliances (e.g., kitchen stoves, dishwashers, range hoods, microwave ovens and similar appliances) which have controls located on the appliance.

ETA Editor's Note

Division V Sections 1137A through 1143A from California Building Code Chapter 11A are not adopted by the Division of the State Architect - Access Compliance (DSA-AC), and have been omitted. To see the entire Chapter, consult California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 2 - 2019 California Building Code (2019 CBC), available for purchase from International Code Council (http://www.iccsafe.org).

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