Outdoor Developed Areas: A Summary of Accessibility Standards for Federal Outdoor Developed Areas

Scoping Requirements

Beach Nourishment [F248.1.2]

Beach access routes are required when the entity that administers or manages the beach undertakes a beach nourishment project. The entity is not required to spend more than 20 percent of the costs of a beach nourishment project to provide beach access routes.

Facilities Serving Beaches [F248.1.1]

Beach access routes are required when an entity that administers or manages a beach constructs or alters any circulation paths, parking facilities, toilet facilities, or bathing facilities that serve the beach. The entity is not required to spend more than 20 percent of the costs of constructing or altering these facilities to provide beach access routes.

Minimum Number of Beach Access Routes [F248.2]

At least one beach access route must be provided for each one-half mile of beach shoreline administered or managed by the same entity. The number of beach access routes is not required to exceed the number of pedestrian access points provided to the beach by the entity. Pedestrian access points to a beach include parking facilities, dune crossings, and stairways or ramps leading from boardwalks to the beach. In high-density population areas, entities should consider providing beach access routes more frequently than the minimum of every one-half mile to prevent people with disabilities from traveling extensive distances to access the beach.

Location [F248.3]

Beach access routes must coincide with or be located in the same general area as pedestrian access points that serve the beach.