I am fielding a question from an architect regarding toilet grab bar heights.  Commercial use (Chapter 11B) 2013 CBC construction project.  I noticed that the specific code language suggests that the side grab bar and the rear grab bar must be at the same height (California CBC text is slightly different than ADAS), but it reads to me as... less than definitive writing.

I'm sure that someone out there has seen this before. I would be interested if there is a definitive answer.

Code text:

11B-604.5 Grab bars. Grab bars for water closets shall comply with Section 11B-609. Grab bars shall be provided on the side wall closest to the water closet and on the rear wall. Where separate grab bars are required on adjacent walls at a common mounting height, an L-shaped grab bar meeting the dimensional requirements of Sections 11B-604.5.1 and 11B-604.5.2 shall be permitted.

11B-609.7 Installation. Grab bars shall be installed in any manner that provides a gripping surface at the specified locations and that does not obstruct the required clear floor space.