ADA Guide for Small Towns

New Construction

ADA requirements for new construction have been in effect since January 1992. New buildings and facilities must comply with the new construction provisions of the ADA Standards for Accessible Design (without the elevator exemption) or the Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS). This requirement includes facilities that are open to the public and those that are for use by employees.

The ADA Standards for Accessible Design (ADA Standards) were first issued in 1991 and have been selected as the ADA design standard by many towns. Although towns now have the option to choose either the ADA Standards or the UFAS, it is likely that in the future the ADA Standards will become the only design standard under the ADA. Because ADA requirements for new construction and alterations do change from time to time, towns should become familiar with any new design and construction requirements before a project starts (see Resources for free information sources).

Public toilets at a park were built to comply with the new construction requirements of the ADA Standards.