2022 California Standards for Accessible Design Guide (effective January 1, 2023)

11B-216 Signs

11B-216.1 General.

New or altered signs shall be provided in accordance with Section 11B-216 and shall comply with Section 11B-703. The addition of or replacement of signs shall not trigger any additional path of travel requirements.

[2010 ADA Standards] 216.1 General. Signs shall be provided in accordance with 216 and shall comply with 703.

Exceptions:

1. Building directories, menus, seat and row designations in assembly areas, occupant names, building addresses, and company names and logos shall not be required to comply with Section 11B-216.

2. Reserved.

[2010 ADA Standards] 2. In parking facilities, signs shall not be required to comply with 216.2, 216.3, and 216.6 through 216.12.

3. Temporary, 7 days or less, signs shall not be required to comply with Section 11B-216.

4. In detention and correctional facilities, signs not located in public use areas shall not be required to comply with Section 11B-216.

11B-216.2 Designations.

Interior and exterior signs identifying permanent rooms and spaces shall comply with Sections 11B-703.1, 11B-703.2, 11B-703.3, and 11B-703.5. Where pictograms are provided as designations of permanent rooms and spaces, the pictograms shall comply with Section 11B-703.6 and shall have text descriptors complying with Sections 11B-703.2 and 11B-703.5.

Exception: Exterior signs that are not located at the door to the space they serve shall not be required to comply with Section 11B-703.2.

Advisory 11B-216.2 Designations. Section 11B-216.2 applies to signs that provide designations, labels, or names for interior rooms or spaces where the sign is not likely to change over time. Examples include interior signs labeling restrooms, room and floor numbers or letters, and room names. Tactile text descriptors are required for pictograms that are provided to label or identify a permanent room or space. Pictograms that provide information about a room or space, such as "no smoking," occupant logos, and the International Symbol of Accessibility, are not required to have text descriptors. ◼

Advisory 11B-216.2 Designations. People with visual impairments benefit from tactile signs containing raised characters and/or symbols and accompanying Braille. They also benefit from an orderly scheme of consecutive room numbers for way-finding, though way-finding is not required by code. Tactile exit signs complying with Chapter 10 contribute to a safe environment for people with visual impairments. ◼

11B-216.3 Directional and informational signs.

Signs that provide direction to or information about interior and exterior spaces and facilities of the site shall comply with Section 11B-703.5.

[2010 ADA Standards] 216.3 Directional and Informational Signs. Signs that provide direction to or information about interior spaces and facilities of the site shall comply with 703.5.

Advisory 11B-216.3 Directional and informational signs. Information about interior and exterior spaces and facilities includes rules of conduct, occupant load, and similar signs. Signs providing direction to rooms or spaces include those that identify egress routes. ◼

11B-216.4 Means of egress.

Signs for means of egress shall comply with Section 11B-216.4.

11B-216.4.1 Exit doors.

Signs required by Chapter 10, Section 1013.4 at doors to exit passageways, exit discharge, and exit stairways shall comply with Sections 11B-703.1, 11B-703.2, 11B-703.3, and 11B-703.5.

Advisory 11B-216.4.1 Exit doors. An exit passageway is a horizontal exit component that is separated from the interior spaces of the building by fire-resistance-rated construction and that leads to the exit discharge or public way. The exit discharge is that portion of an egress system between the termination of an exit and a public way. ◼

11B-216.4.2 Areas of refuge and exterior areas for assisted rescue.

Signs required by Chapter 10, Section 1009.11 to provide instructions in areas of refuge shall comply with Section 11B-703.5. Signs required by Chapter 10, Section 1009.9 at doors to areas of refuge and exterior areas for assisted rescue shall comply with Sections 11B-703.1, 11B-703.2, 11B-703.3, and 11B-703.5 and include an International Symbol of Accessibility complying with Section 11B-703.7.2.1.

[2010 ADA Standards] 216.4.2 Areas of Refuge. Signs required by section 1003.2.13.5.4 of the International Building Code (2000 edition) or section 1007.6.4 of the International Building Code (2003 edition) (incorporated by reference, see “Referenced Standards” in Chapter 1) to provide instructions in areas of refuge shall comply with 703.5.

11B-216.4.3 Directional signs.

Signs required by Chapter 10, Section 1009.10 to provide directions to accessible means of egress shall comply with Section 11B-703.5.

11B-216.4.4 Delayed egress locks.

Signs required by Chapter 10, Section 1010.1.9.7, Item 6.4 at doors with delayed egress locks shall comply with Sections 11B-703.1, 11B-703.2, 11B-703.3, and 11B-703.5.

11B-216.5 Parking.

Signs identifying parking spaces and signs within parking facilities shall comply with Section 11B-216.5.

11B-216.5.1 Parking spaces.

Parking spaces complying with Section 11B-502 shall be identified by signs complying with Sections 11B-502.6 and 11B-502.8.

Exceptions:

1. Reserved.

[2010 ADA Standards] 1. Where a total of four or fewer parking spaces, including accessible parking spaces, are provided on a site, identification of accessible parking spaces shall not be required.

2. In residential facilities, where parking spaces are assigned to specific residential dwelling units, identification of accessible parking spaces shall not be required.

11B-216.5.2 Parking facilities.

Signs within parking facilities shall comply with Section 11B-216.5.2.

11B-216.5.2.1 Signs intended for use by pedestrians.

Signs intended for use by pedestrians within parking facilities, including directional or informational signs indicating parking sections or levels, shall comply with the requirements of Section 11B-216.

11B-216.5.2.2 Additional signs.

Signs within parking facilities containing parking spaces complying with Section 11B-502 shall comply with Section 11B-502.8.

11B-216.6 Entrances.

In existing buildings and facilities where not all entrances comply with Section 11B-404, entrances complying with Section 11B-404 shall be identified by the International Symbol of Accessibility complying with Section 11B-703.7.2.1. Directional signs complying with Section 11B-703.5 that indicate the location of the nearest entrance complying with Section 11B-404 shall be provided at entrances that do not comply with Section 11B-404. Directional signs complying with Section 11B-703.5, including the International Symbol of Accessibility complying with Section 11B-703.7.2.1, indicating the accessible route to the nearest accessible entrance shall be provided at junctions when the accessible route diverges from the regular circulation path.

[2010 ADA Standards] 216.6 Entrances. Where not all entrances comply with 404, entrances complying with 404 shall be identified by the International Symbol of Accessibility complying with 703.7.2.1. Directional signs complying with 703.5 that indicate the location of the nearest entrance complying with 404 shall be provided at entrances that do not comply with 404.

Advisory 11B-216.6 Entrances. Where a directional sign is required, it should be located to minimize backtracking. In some cases, this could mean locating a sign at the beginning of a route, not just at the inaccessible entrances to a building. ◼

Advisory 11B-216.6 Entrances. Directional signs are needed where the accessible route diverges from the route for the general public and should be located at decision points (for example where the path to the stairs diverges from the path to an elevator or ramp). Directional signs are not needed where paths are equal and/or readily apparent. The signage program should be designed to consider differing uses of a facility which occur at different times of the day. For example, portions of a facility may be closed in the evening; appropriate signs should be provided to give adequate direction during these hours of use in addition to the typical operational hours.  

The signage program should be designed to provide the appropriate level of signs at points necessary for convenient navigation around the site. Too many signs can be confusing to everyone utilizing the site. ◼

11B-216.7 Elevators.

Where existing elevators do not comply with Section 11B-407, elevators complying with Section 11B-407 shall be clearly identified with the International Symbol of Accessibility complying with Section 11B-703.7.2.1. Existing buildings that have been remodeled to provide specific elevators for public use that comply with these building standards shall have the location of and the directions to these elevators posted in the building lobby on a sign complying with Section 11B-703.5, including the International Symbol of Accessibility complying with Section 11B-703.7.2.1.

[2010 ADA Standards] 216.7 Elevators. Where existing elevators do not comply with 407, elevators complying with 407 shall be clearly identified with the International Symbol of Accessibility complying with 703.7.2.1.

11B-216.8 Toilet rooms and bathing rooms.

Where existing toilet rooms or bathing rooms do not comply with Section 11B-603, directional signs indicating the location of the nearest toilet room or bathing room complying with Section 11B-603 within the facility shall be provided. Signs shall comply with Section 11B-703.5 and shall include the International Symbol of Accessibility complying with Section 11B-703.7.2.1. Where existing toilet rooms or bathing rooms do not comply with Section 11B-603, the toilet rooms or bathing rooms complying with Section 11B-603 shall be identified by the International Symbol of Accessibility complying with Section 11B-703.7.2.1. Where clustered single user toilet rooms or bathing facilities are permitted to use exceptions to Section 11B-213.2, toilet rooms or bathing facilities complying with Section 11B-603 shall be identified by the International Symbol of Accessibility complying with Section 11B-703.7.2.1 unless all toilet rooms and bathing facilities comply with Section 11B-603. Existing buildings that have been remodeled to provide specific toilet rooms or bathing rooms for public use that comply with these building standards shall have the location of and the directions to these rooms posted in or near  the building lobby or entrance on a sign complying with Section 11B-703.5, including the International Symbol of Accessibility complying with Section 11B-703.7.2.1.

[2010 ADA Standards] 216.8 Toilet Rooms and Bathing Rooms. Where existing toilet rooms or bathing rooms do not comply with 603, directional signs indicating the location of the nearest toilet room or bathing room complying with 603 within the facility shall be provided. Signs shall comply with 703.5 and shall include the International Symbol of Accessibility complying with 703.7.2.1. Where existing toilet rooms or bathing rooms do not comply with 603, the toilet rooms or bathing rooms complying with 603 shall be identified by the International Symbol of Accessibility complying with 703.7.2.1. Where clustered single user toilet rooms or bathing facilities are permitted to use exceptions to 213.2, toilet rooms or bathing facilities complying with 603 shall be identified by the International Symbol of Accessibility complying with 703.7.2.1 unless all toilet rooms and bathing facilities comply with 603.

11B-216.8.1 Geometric symbols.

Geometric symbols complying with Section 11B-703.7.2.6 shall be provided at entrances to toilet and bathing rooms.

Exceptions:

1. Geometric symbols shall not be required at entrances to toilet and bathing rooms located within private or semi-private rooms or spaces. Such spaces include but are not limited to; patient sleeping rooms, transient lodging guest rooms, and residential dwelling units.
2. Geometric symbols shall not be required at entrances to inmate toilet rooms and bathing rooms in detention and correctional facilities where only one gender is housed.

11B-216.9 TTYs.

Identification and directional signs for public TTYs shall be provided in accordance with Section 11B-216.9.

11B-216.9.1 Identification signs.

Public TTYs shall be identified by the International Symbol of TTY complying with Section 11B-703.7.2.2.

11B-216.9.2 Directional signs.

Directional signs indicating the location of the nearest public TTY shall be provided at all banks of public pay telephones not containing a public TTY. In addition, where signs provide direction to public pay telephones, they shall also provide direction to public TTYs. If a facility has no banks of telephones, the directional signs shall be provided at the entrance or in a building directory. Directional signs shall comply with Section 11B-703.5 and shall include the International Symbol of TTY complying with Section 11B-703.7.2.2.

[2010 ADA Standards] 216.9.2 Directional Signs. Directional signs indicating the location of the nearest public TTY shall be provided at all banks of public pay telephones not containing a public TTY. In addition, where signs provide direction to public pay telephones, they shall also provide direction to public TTYs. Directional signs shall comply with 703.5 and shall include the International Symbol of TTY complying with 703.7.2.2.

11B-216.10 Assistive listening systems.

Each assembly area required by Section 11B-219 to provide assistive listening systems shall provide signs informing patrons of the availability of the assistive listening system. The sign shall include wording that states “Assistive-Listening System Available” and shall be posted in a prominent place at or near the assembly area entrance. Assistive listening signs shall comply with Section 11B-703.5 and shall include the International Symbol of Access for Hearing Loss complying with Section 11B-703.7.2.4.

Advisory 11B-216.10 Assistive listening systems. The term "prominent place" means a place that arriving persons would easily notice. It is helpful, though not required, to identify the location or person to contact for obtaining the system on the sign. Note that a tactile sign is not required by this section. ◼

[2010 ADA Standards] 216.10 Assistive Listening Systems. Each assembly area required by 219 to provide assistive listening systems shall provide signs informing patrons of the availability of the assistive listening system. Assistive listening signs shall comply with 703.5 and shall include the International Symbol of Access for Hearing Loss complying with 703.7.2.4.

Exception: Where ticket offices or windows are provided, signs shall not be required at each assembly area provided that signs are displayed at each ticket office or window informing patrons of the availability of assistive listening systems.

11B-216.11 Check-out aisles.

Where more than one check-out aisle is provided, check-out aisles complying with Section 11B-904.3 shall be identified by a sign complying with Section 11B-904.3.4. Where check-out aisles are identified by numbers, letters, or functions, signs identifying check-out aisles complying with Section 11B-904.3 shall be located in the same location as the check-out aisle identification.

[2010 ADA Standards] 216.11 Check-Out Aisles. Where more than one check-out aisle is provided, check-out aisles complying with 904.3 shall be identified by the International Symbol of Accessibility complying with 703.7.2.1. Where check-out aisles are identified by numbers, letters, or functions, signs identifying check-out aisles complying with 904.3 shall be located in the same location as the check-out aisle identification.

EXCEPTION: Where all check-out aisles comply with Section 11B-904.3, signs complying with Section 11B-703.7.2.1 shall not be required.

11B-216.12 Amusement rides.

Signs identifying the type of access provided on amusement rides shall be provided at entries to queues and waiting lines. In addition, where accessible unload areas also serve as accessible load areas, signs indicating the location of the accessible load and unload areas shall be provided at entries to queues and waiting lines. Signs shall comply with Section 11B-703.5 and shall include the International Symbol of Accessibility complying with Section 11B-703.7.2.1.

[2010 ADA Standards] 216.12 Amusement Rides. Signs identifying the type of access provided on amusement rides shall be provided at entries to queues and waiting lines. In addition, where accessible unload areas also serve as accessible load areas, signs indicating the location of the accessible load and unload areas shall be provided at entries to queues and waiting lines.

Advisory 11B-216.12 Amusement rides. Amusement rides designed primarily for children, amusement rides that are controlled or operated by the rider, and amusement rides without seats, are not required to provide wheelchair spaces, transfer seats, or transfer systems, and need not meet the sign requirements in Section 11B-216.12. The load and unload areas of these rides must, however, be on an accessible route and must provide turning space. ◼

11B-216.13 Variable message signs.

Where provided in transportation facilities, variable message signs conveying transportation-related information shall comply with Section 11B-703.8. Where provided in buildings that are designed as emergency shelters, variable message signs conveying emergency-related information shall comply with Section 11B-703.8.