Summary of 2016 California Building Code Changes for Accessibility
The following changes in the 2016 California building codes (California Code of Regulations, Title 24) amended by the Division of the State Architect become effective January 1, 2017.
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The table includes the amendments in:
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Chapter 2 – Definitions
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Chapter 11B – Accessibility to Public Buildings, Public Accommodations, Commercial Buildings and Public Housing.
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• The significant amendments to Chapter 11B are the regulations for electric vehicle charging stations.
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DEFINITION |
NOTES |
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New and explicit definition to provide specific costs included in the adjusted construction for determining the application of the valuation threshold. |
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DEFINITION |
NOTES |
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New definition for electric vehicle charging station that functions similar to a gasoline filling island. |
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DEFINITION |
NOTES |
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New definition for vehicles powered by electricity that are or are not considered electric vehicles for the purpose of Chapter 11B. |
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DEFINITION |
NOTES |
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New definition for equipment used to charge electric vehicles. |
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DEFINITION |
NOTES |
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New definition for the space intended for charging electric vehicles. |
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DEFINITION |
NOTES |
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New definition for one or more EV charging spaces served by an electric vehicle charger. |
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DEFINITION |
NOTES |
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New definition for the device that connects to the electric vehicle for the purpose of charging. Device is part of the electric vehicle coupler. |
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DEFINITION |
NOTES |
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Amends prior model code definition to clarify “areas of sport activity” can be either indoor or outdoor areas. |
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DEFINITION |
NOTES |
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Amends prior model code definition to clarify that public use areas include areas associated with “buildings” such as exterior areas associated with the broader term “facility.” |
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DEFINITION |
NOTES |
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Clarification of terminology regarding accessibility requirements for “signs” as individual building elements as opposed to “signage”, which may refer to a way finding program. |
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SECTION |
TITLE |
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Path of Travel Requirements in Alterations, Additions and Structural Repairs
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Amendments include: • Clarification that the list of barrier removal items in Exception 4 is not all inclusive and that other items not specifically listed may qualify for the exception. • Addition of the words “as defined” after the term “adjusted construction cost” to ensure code users are made aware of the related definition. • Clarification that the Exception 8 priority list Item 3 can be one single user or family toilet room available to all genders (unisex). • Correction of the miss-spelling of the word “disproportionality” in Exception 9. • Correction of the miss-spelling of the word “preceding” in Exception 2. • Related code amendment, adds Exception 10, which limits the costs of path of travel upgrades to 20% of the adjusted construction cost when EVCS are added to facilities where vehicle fueling, recharging, parking or storage is a primary function. |
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SECTION |
TITLE |
NOTES |
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Parking Spaces General
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Related code amendment, Section 11B-208.1 General to provide that EVCS are not considered parking for purposes of computing the required number of accessible parking spaces. |
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SECTION |
TITLE |
NOTES |
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Parking for Residents
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Amends section to provide explicit requirements for the provision of accessible parking in situations where there is less than one parking space for each residential unit. |
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SECTION |
TITLE |
NOTES |
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Passenger drop-off and loading zones and bus stops
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Amends current language to clarify requirements apply to both passenger loading and unloading zones. |
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SECTION |
TITLE |
NOTES |
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Toilet rooms and bathing rooms.
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Amends Exception 1 to clarify that a unisex toilet available to all genders can be one single user or family toilet room. |
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SECTION |
TITLE |
NOTES |
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Toilet compartments
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Corrects drafting error in prior code adoption to require that the fixture count for determining when additional accessible toilet compartments are required includes both water closets and urinals and not just water closets. |
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SECTION |
TITLE |
NOTES |
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Parking facilities.
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Clarifies that Section 11B-216.5.2.1 applies to signs intended for use by pedestrians that must comply with Section 11B-216. |
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SECTION |
TITLE |
NOTES |
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Entrances
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Removes redundant exceptions for providing an ISA for specific entrances which are not required to be accessible. |
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SECTION |
TITLE |
NOTES |
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Geometric symbols.
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Provides Exceptions 1 and 2 for locations where geometric symbols are not required. |
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SECTION |
TITLE |
NOTES |
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Variable message signs
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Removes current voluntary provisions for use of the Cleaner Air Symbol. Section title is changed to variable message signs. |
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SECTION |
TITLE |
NOTES |
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Automatic teller machines and fare machines.
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Corrects code references for technical requirements where more than one ATM and fare machines are provided. |
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SECTION |
TITLE |
NOTES |
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Point-of-sale devices.
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Corrects code references for applicable technical requirements for point-of-sale devices, and adds requirement for point-of-sale devices at electric vehicle charging stations. |
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SECTION |
TITLE |
NOTES |
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Wheelchair spaces.
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The building code applies only to buildings and fixed elements attached to buildings or facilities. Removes operational guidance on the use of removable seats when wheelchair spaces are not occupied by individuals in wheelchairs. Guidance is provided as an advisory note. |
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SECTION |
TITLE |
NOTES |
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Transient lodging guest rooms, housing at a place of education and social service center establishments
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Corrects publishing error to state scoping requirements related to housing at a place of education as a positive provision, instead of an exception. |
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SECTION |
TITLE |
NOTES |
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Depositories, vending machines, change machines, mail boxes, fuel dispensers, and electric vehicle charging stations |
Section title is revised to include electric vehicle charging stations (EVCS). |
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SECTION |
TITLE |
NOTES |
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Electric vehicle charging stations
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Provides new scoping section for electric vehicle charging stations. |
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SECTION |
TITLE |
NOTES |
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Multi-story residential dwelling units.
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Relocates existing exception to clarify its applicability. |
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SECTION |
TITLE |
NOTES |
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Alterations.
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Clarifies in the exception the technical requirements for accessible residential dwelling units when alterations are made to existing public housing facilities are technically infeasible. |
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SECTION |
TITLE |
NOTES |
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Public accommodations located in private residences
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Amends the title from commercial facilities to public accommodations in private residences. |
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SECTION |
TITLE |
NOTES |
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Operable parts |
Adds to existing exception for 5 lb. maximum operating force requirement for electric vehicle connectors, similar to exception for gasoline filler nozzles. |
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SECTION |
TITLE |
NOTES |
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Door and gate opening force. |
Repeals current Exception 1 for spaces not required to be accessible by general exceptions in Section 11B-203. |
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SECTION |
TITLE |
NOTES |
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Figure 11B-407.2.3.1 |
Floor designation. |
Revises the braille designation on the figure to correctly indicate the number 1 and revises figure title. |
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SECTION |
TITLE |
NOTES |
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Car designations. |
Clarifies requirements that each elevator capable of responding to a hall call console shall have a unique alphabetic designation. |
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SECTION |
TITLE |
NOTES |
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Hall call consoles. Required features. Touch screen. |
Amends the provision which addresses technical requirements for touch screens. Requirements are addressed in detail in subsequent technical provisions. |
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SECTION |
TITLE |
NOTES |
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Display screen. |
Amends requirements so that operating instructions are specific to the building. |
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SECTION |
TITLE |
NOTES |
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Audio output. |
Amends requirements so that operating instructions are specific to the building. |
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SECTION |
TITLE |
NOTES |
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Position |
Clarifies requirements for sloping of screen and keypad elements to minimize glare. |
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SECTION |
TITLE |
NOTES |
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Signs on jambs of elevator Hoistway entrances. |
Revises figure title. |
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SECTION |
TITLE |
NOTES |
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Identification |
Amends current regulations to require the International Symbol of Accessibility at accessible parking spaces to be white on a blue background. |
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| 11B-502.6 | Identification |
Amends exception; requires parking space signs to be 80 inches above the ground when located in circulation paths. |
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SECTION |
TITLE |
NOTES |
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Marking |
Clarifies that accessible parking spaces should be outlined in blue or painted in blue. |
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SECTION |
TITLE |
NOTES |
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11B-503.6 Repealed. |
Identification |
Removes requirements for ISA sign at passenger loading zones. |
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SECTION |
TITLE |
NOTES |
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Orientation. |
Adds requirement that at least one handrail must be in direction of travel, perpendicular to the stair nosing. |
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SECTION |
TITLE |
NOTES |
| 11B-603.2.3 | Door swing. |
Clarifies that doors to accessible toilet compartments are allowed to encroach over required turning space without limitation. |
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Door swing. |
Adds Exception 3 to allow door swings in residential use to encroach over required turning space without limitation. |
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SECTION |
TITLE |
NOTES |
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Water closets and toilet compartments for children's use. |
Clarifies that when the suggested dimensions for children are used, the requirements for a single age group shall be applied consistently to the installation of a water closet and all associated components. |
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SECTION |
TITLE |
NOTES |
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Shower spray unit and water. |
Corrects prior drafting error by limiting the types of facilities that are allowed to use the vandalism prone area exception and requiring one of the two shower heads to be a maximum of 48 inches above the finish floor. |
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SECTION |
TITLE |
NOTES |
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Repealed 11B-703.7.2.5 |
Reserved. |
Repeals technical provisions for use of the cleaner air symbol. |
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SECTION |
TITLE |
NOTES |
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Edges and vertices on geometric symbols |
Provides detailed technical requirements for geometric symbols at restrooms. |
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SECTION |
TITLE |
NOTES |
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Dome size |
Aligns California Building Code dimensional requirements for detectable warning dome heights with federal ADA Standards. |
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SECTION |
TITLE |
NOTES |
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Operable parts. |
Provides exceptions to technical provisions to clarify requirements for ATMs, fare machines, and point-of-sale machines. |
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SECTION |
TITLE |
NOTES |
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Visibility. |
Amends technical requirements to correct slope range overlap in requirements for display screens. |
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SECTION |
TITLE |
NOTES |
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Point-of-sale devices. |
Removes and relocates to 11B-707.3 requirements specific to operable parts. |
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SECTION |
TITLE |
NOTES |
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Electric vehicle charging stations |
Provides new section with technical provisions for electric vehicle charging stations. |
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