2022 California Standards for Accessible Design Guide (effective January 1, 2023)
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.
[2010 ADA Standards] 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 CBC 11B-604.3.1 requirement for maneuvering space in front of accessible water closets exceeds the 2010 ADA Standards requirement for water closet clear floor space, but a door may swing into the added clearance.
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, 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.
As of the initial publication of this Guide, OSHPD has not updated CAN 2-11B for applicability to 2022 CBC. Since there is no change to the wording of Subsection 11B-604.3.2, there is no reason to expect that OSHPD will change its interpretation.
Exception: In residential dwelling units, a lavatory complying with Section 11B-606 shall be permitted on the rear wall 26 inches (660 mm) minimum from the water closet centerline to allow for the installation of a grab bar where the clearance at the water closet is 66 inches (1676 mm) minimum measured perpendicular from the rear wall.
Figure 11B-604.3.2 (Exception)
OVERLAP OF WATER CLOSET CLEARANCE IN RESIDENTIAL DWELLING UNITS
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