11B-403 Walking surfaces

11B-403.1 General.

Walking surfaces that are a part of an accessible route shall comply with Section 11B-403.

11B-403.2 Floor or ground surface.

Floor or ground surfaces shall comply with Section 11B-302.

11B-403.3 Slope.

The running slope of walking surfaces shall not be steeper than 1:20. The cross slope of walking surfaces shall not be steeper than 1:48.

Exception: The running slope of sidewalks shall not exceed the general grade established for the adjacent street or highway.

Advisory 11B-403.3 Slope. There is an important distinction between a “sidewalk” and a “walk”, and they are treated differently under the California Building Code. A sidewalk is contiguous to a street while a walk is not.

When the running slope of a walking surface exceeds 5%, it must comply with the accessibility requirements for ramps.

A sloping sidewalk with a running slope in excess of 5% is excluded from ramp requirements for landings and handrails but it must comply with cross-slope and width requirements. ◼

ETA Editor's Note

The 2022 CBC Exception at 11B-403.3 is not present in the 2010 ADA Standards. Therefore, technically, the 2010 ADA Standards are more stringent with regard to the slope of sidewalks at streets or highways. CBC does not define street or highway but does define sidewalk as " ... contiguous to a street used by the public." It is inferable, whether intended or not, that sidewalks serving as accessible routes alongside private roadways are not excepted from the slope limitation.

On August 8, 2023, the U.S. Access Board published in the Federal Register its final rule on accessibility guidelines for pedestrian facilities in the public right-of-way. More information may be found on the Access Board's website: U.S. Access Board Issues Final Rule on Public Right-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines (access-board.gov).

In 2013, in response to feedback, the U.S. Access Board issued a proposed Supplemental Rule to address accessibility for Shared Use Paths (used by pedestrians, bicyclists, and others for transportation or recreation), distinguished from sidewalks, as well as from trails. More information about this rulemaking process is available on the Access Board’s website: https://www.access-board.gov/guidelines-and-standards/streets-sidewalks/shared-use-paths.

11B-403.4 Changes in level.

Changes in level shall comply with Section 11B-303.

11B-403.5 Clearances.

Walking surfaces shall provide clearances complying with Section 11B-403.5.

Exception: Within employee work areas, clearances on common use circulation paths shall be permitted to be decreased by work area equipment provided that the decrease is essential to the function of the work being performed.

11B-403.5.1 Clear width.

Except as provided in Sections 11B-403.5.2 and 11B-403.5.3, the clear width of walking surfaces shall be 36 inches (914 mm) minimum.

Exceptions:

The clear width shall be permitted to be reduced to 32 inches (813 mm) minimum for a length of 24 inches (610 mm) maximum provided that reduced width segments are separated by segments that are 48 inches (1219 mm) long minimum and 36 inches (914 mm) wide minimum.
The clear width for walking surfaces in corridors serving an occupant load of 10 or more shall be 44 inches (1118 mm) minimum.
The clear width for sidewalks and walks shall be 48 inches (1219 mm) minimum. When, because of right-of-way restrictions, natural barriers or other existing conditions, the enforcing agency determines that compliance with the 48-inch (1219 mm) clear sidewalk width would create an unreasonable hardship, the clear width may be reduced to 36 inches (914 mm).
The clear width for aisles shall be 36 inches (914 mm) minimum if serving elements on only one side, and 44 inches (1118 mm) minimum if serving elements on both sides.
The clear width for accessible routes to accessible toilet compartments shall be 44 inches (1118 mm) except for door-opening widths and door swings.

ETA Editor's Note

CBC Exceptions 2, 3 and 4 at 11B-403.5.1 are not present in the 2010 ADA Standards. Therefore, CBC requirements related to the clear width of accessible routes are more stringent.

Shown in plan view, the minimum clear width of walking surfaces is 36 inches minimum, but can be reduced to 32 inches for a length of 24 inches maximum, provided that the reduced width segments are at least 48 inches apart

FIGURE 11B-403.5.1 CLEAR WIDTH OF AN ACCESSIBLE ROUTE

11B-403.5.2 Clear width at turn.

Where the accessible route makes a 180 degree turn around an element which is less than 48 inches (1219 mm) wide, clear width shall be 42 inches (1067 mm) minimum approaching the turn, 48 inches (1219 mm) minimum at the turn and 42 inches (1067 mm) minimum leaving the turn.

Exception: Where the clear width at the turn is 60 inches (1524 mm) minimum compliance with Section 11B-403.5.2 shall not be required.

Two alternative plan views, side by side, are shown of an accessible route that has a 180 degree turn about an object less than 48 inches wide. In figure (a) on the left, the clear width is 42 inches minimum approaching the turn, 48 inches minimum at the turn, and 42 inches minimum leaving the turn. In figure (b) on the right, the clear width is 36 inches minimum approaching the turn, 60 inches minimum at the turn, and 36 inches minimum leaving the turn.

FIGURE 11B-403.5.2 CLEAR WIDTH AT TURN

11B-403.5.3 Passing spaces.

An accessible route with a clear width less than 60 inches (1524 mm) shall provide passing spaces at intervals of 200 feet (60,960 mm) maximum. Passing spaces shall be either: a space 60 inches (1524 mm) minimum by 60 inches (1524 mm) minimum; or, an intersection of two walking surfaces providing a T-shaped space complying with Section 11B-304.3.2 where the base and arms of the T-shaped space extend 48 inches (1219 mm) minimum beyond the intersection.

11B-403.6 Handrails.

Where handrails are provided along walking surfaces with running slopes not steeper than 1:20 they shall comply with Section 11B-505.

Advisory 11B-403.6 Handrails. Handrails provided in elevator cabs and platform lifts, referred to as support rails in the California Building Code, are not required to comply with the requirements for handrails on walking surfaces. ◼

11B-403.7 Continuous gradient.

All walks with continuous gradients shall have resting areas, 60 inches (1524 mm) in length, at intervals of 400 feet (121,920 mm) maximum. The resting area shall be at least as wide as the walk. The slope of the resting area in all directions shall be 1:48 maximum.

ETA Editor's Note

CBC requirement 11B-403.7 is not present in the 2010 ADA Standards. Therefore, CBC requirements related to continuous gradients are more stringent.

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