Hello Everyone!

I have a question about alterations and stair compliance in California. The site in question is a large, pre-ADA building with retail on the ground floor and offices (not public accomodations) on the second floor. The owner is planning to paint the stairs, which I understand would be considered normal maintenance.

However, some of the existing wooden handrails are rotted and need to be replaced. If the owner chooses to only replace the handrails (complying with the current California Building Code and 2010 ADA Standards for those handrails), would that be acceptable? Or would replacing the handrails be considered an alteration that affects usability—thereby triggering a requirement to upgrade the entire stairway to current accessibility standards?

Thanks in advance for your insights!