[Excerpt] This guide provides clarification of some basic accessibility requirements for small businesses. For more in depth information refer to chapter 11B of CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE, 2007 edition

City of San Diego

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[Excerpt] This guide provides clarification of some basic accessibility requirements for small businesses. For more in depth information refer to chapter 11B of CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE, 2007 edition.City_of_San_Diego_Development_Services_Department___Accessibility_Guide_For_Small_Businesses.pdf: 310 downloads, before Oct. 1, 2020

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Accessibility Guide For Small Businesses

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City of San Diego
Development Services Department
Title 24, California Code of Regulations
Accessibility Guide For Small Businesses
______________________________________________________________________
1
Development Services Department
1222 First Avenue
San Diego, California  92101-4154
Revised 6/13/08
Table Of Contents
Introduction ....................................................................................................Pg.  4
Accessibility Law. ..........................................................................................Pg.   4, 5
Unreasonable Hardship .................................................................................Pg.   6
Order of Barrier Removal. .............................................................................Pg.   7
Examples of Barrier Removal. .......................................................................Pg.   8
Accessible Entrances ....................................................................................Pg.   8
Door Hardware. .............................................................................................Pg.   9
Accessible Rout .............................................................................................Pg. 10
Ramp .............................................................................................................Pg. 11
Lift .................................................................................................................Pg. 12
Accessible Parking. ...................................................................................... Pg. 13
Accessible Bathroom. ................................................................................... Pg. 14
Accessible Drinking Fountain. ...................................................................... Pg. 15
Sales and Service Counters. ........................................................................ Pg. 16
Fitting Rooms. .............................................................................................. Pg.17
Historical Buildings. ...................................................................................... Pg. 18,19,20
Development service department is pleased to produce this information bulletin to help our 
small business community to better understand and comply with accessibility requirements 
of California Code of regulation, Title-24.  These requirements shall not be confused with 
requirements of ADA, although in many cases, California code requirements are more 
stringent.  For information on ADA (Americans with Disability Act) call: 1-800- 514-0301, or 
check their website at www.ADA.gov 
REPRODUCTION
Reproducing of this document is 
encouraged
DISCLAIMER
While the material presented in this 
handout is believed to be correct, it 
reflects the opinions of the author.  
Compliance with disabled access 
provisions often involves 
considerable interpretation and 
judgment.  This material is intended 
to help participants understand the 
provisions and provide the 
background to make subjective 
decisions on a case-by-case basis.
Development Services Department
1222 First Avenue
San Diego, California 92101-4154
www.sandiego.gov/development-services 3
CALIFORNIA 
ACCESSIBILITY 
LEGISLATION:
The purpose of this state law 
is to ensure that all buildings, 
structures, sidewalks, curbs 
and related facilities 
constructed in the state are 
made accessible to and 
usable by persons with 
disabilities.
INTRODUCTION:
This guide provides clarification 
of some basic accessibility 
requirements for small 
businesses. For more in depth 
information refer to chapter 11B 
of CALIFORNIA BUILDING 
CODE, 2007 edition. 
Accessibility requirements 
of state of California is 
different from that of ADA .
4
While it is not possible for 
many small businesses to 
make their facilities fully 
accessible, there is much 
that can by done without 
much difficulty or 
expense.
In recognition that 
many small 
businesses can not 
afford to make 
significant physical 
changes to their 
places of business to 
improve accessibility 
to people with 
disability, title-24 has 
requirements for 
existing facilities (see 
Ch.11B) which is less 
stringent than the 
new construction.
These businesses 
maybe large or small 
and can be for profit or 
non profit.
This booklet focuses 
on businesses that 
provide goods and 
services to the public
5
HCD & Local
Building Official
Multi-Family
Residential Projects
Health & Safety
& Government
Codes Title 24
& HCD
DSA & Local
Building Official
Public Facilities &
Public
Accommodations
Health & Safety
& Government
Codes Title 24
& DSA
State
DOJ & Private
Individuals
Multi-Family
Residential Projects
FHA & FHA
Guidelines
DOJ & Private
Individuals
Public Facilities &
Public
Accommodations
ADA & ADAAGFederal
EnforcementApplicationLegislation
Standards
Summary of
Current Access Laws
UNREASONABLE 
HARDSHIP:
The law recognizes the 
fact that in existing 
buildings, complying with 
all the accessibility 
requirements might not be 
feasible and create an 
unreasonable hardship for 
the business owner.
You will be granted 
unreasonable hardship if 
the construction cost in 
your place of business in 
the last three years is less 
than $ 119,959.  (This will 
change in Jan, 2009).  In 
which case specific 
accessibility features that 
create a hardship may be  
exempted but not all the 
accessibility features.  
The area of alteration 
itself may not be 
exempted. 
Providing access here might be 
unreasonable compared to the cost of 
construction
With such a sloped sidewalk providing 
access is not physically feasible
20% construction cost 
must be spent to upgrade 
access features.
6
1. An accessible entrance
2. An accessible rout to the area of alteration
3. Accessible Bathrooms
4. Accessible telephone
5. Accessible drinking fountain
6. Parking
7. Signs
In choosing which 
accessible elements to 
provide, priority shall be 
given to the elements that 
will provide the greatest 
access.
Accessible entrance is a priority 
in removing architectural barriers
Accessible path of travel is a 
priority in removing architectural 
barriers
Not accessible
7
ORDER OF 
BARRIER
REMOVAL
ACCESSIBLE 
ENTRANCE:
Doors shall provide 
min. 32" clear 
opening when in 
open position... Max. 
threshold shall not 
exceed ½ inch. 
A new  landing and 
ramp will provide 
access 
Unacceptable landing
EXAMPLES OF BARRIER
REMOVAL
8
Doors need landing on both sides.  Landing 
shall be min. 60" in the direction of door swing 
and 44" in the opposite direction.  The width of 
the level area on the side to which the door 
swings shall extend 24 inches past the strike 
edge for exterior and 18 inches for the interior 
doors.
Not an acceptable 
hardware, need lever 
hardware
Lever hardware is an 
acceptable hardware
Door hardware shall be
either lever or loop
type which do not 
require any grasping 
or pinching or 
twisting
Max. effort to operate doors 
shall not exceed 5 pounds
9
Push button door opener may be used
when providing the strike edge clearance
creates unreasonable hardship.
10
Wide landings
accommodates
turns needed to
access your
business.
ACCESSIBLE ROUTE:
Providing physical access 
to a facility from public 
sidewalks, public 
transportation, or parking 
is basic to making goods 
and services available to 
persons with disabilities.  
Having only one step on 
the path of travel can 
prevent access to a 
disabled person.  In such 
cases access could be 
achieved by adding a 
ramp, a lift, or modifying 
the area in front of to the 
side of the entrance to 
eliminate the step.
48”
RAMPS:
When ramps are added 
to provide an accessible 
entrance, the maximum 
slope for the ramp 
should be 1:12.  Ramps 
with slope of more than 
1:20 and vertical rise of 
more than 6" shall be 
provided with handrails 
on both sides. It is best 
to grade the area that is 
adjacent to the ramp to 
avoid an abrupt drop-
off.  If a drop off exists, 
then a barrier such as a 
raised edge or railing 
must be installed.
.Ramps need 
handrails on both 
sides.
Maximum slope is 
1:12.
Ramps shall have 
top and bottom 
landings.
Six inch rise, no 
handrail is 
required.
11
LIFT:
Another approach to 
providing access at an 
entrance is to use a 
platform or lift.  Lifts are 
mechanical devices that 
can be used to transport a 
person using a wheel chair 
up or down several feet.  A 
lift may be a preferred 
solution where little space 
exists for a ramp. When 
lifts are provided, they shall 
be designed and 
constructed to facilitate un-
assisted entry operation 
and exit from the lift
Un-assisted entry and 
egress is required.
Lifts are accepted 
means of providing 
access in existing 
buildings.
Very usable when 
crunched in space. 12
ACCESSIBLE PARKING:
When parking is provided 
to serve a building, 
accessible parking must 
be provided for the 
disabled. Accessible 
parking spaces serving a 
particular building shall be 
located on the shortest 
accessible rout of travel 
from adjacent parking to 
an accessible entrance.  
In buildings with multiple 
parking, accessible 
parking spaces shall be 
dispersed and located 
closest to the accessible 
entrances.  One in every 
eight accessible parkings 
need to be Van 
accessible. (See fig. ...)
Proper signage is required
Need striped 
unloading zone
8’ if Van Accessible
5” if regular
Disable person shall 
not wheel behind 
parked cars except 
his/her own.
I.S.A. Sign
Van- Accessible Parking:
One out of eight  accessible 
parkings (but at least one) 
shall be Van Accessible.
“No parking” sign 
here in white color 
12” letters.
Accessible parkings 
shall be reasonably 
located towards 
accessible entrance.
13
13
Ramp does not 
comply and is not 
allowed to 
encroach in the 
loading isle.
ACCESSIBLE 
BATHROOMS:
When sanitary facilities 
are provided for non 
disabled persons, 
accessible facilities shall 
be provided for persons 
with disabilities.  If 
separate facilities are 
provided for persons of 
each sex, separate 
facilities shall be 
provided for persons with 
disabilities. All sanitary 
facilities are not required 
to be accessible, if 
accessible facilities are 
provided within a 
reasonable distance of 
accessible area.   When 
existing facilities are not 
being altered to provide 
accessibility, signage 
shall be provided at such 
inaccessible facilities 
indicating the location of 
the nearest accessible 
sanitary facility.
Signs
Men: Triangle
Women: Circle
Unisex: Combination
18” from center of 
lave to the wall. Hand rails on back 
and side.
14
DRINKING FOUNTAIN:
When drinking fountains 
are provided, they need to 
be accessible to the 
disabled.  Drinking 
fountains shall be located 
completely within alcoves 
or otherwise positioned so 
as not to encroach into 
pedestrian ways. In new 
construction , where only 
one drinking fountain   is 
provided on a floor, there 
shall be a drinking fountain 
that is accessible to 
individuals who use wheel 
chair and  accessible to 
those who have difficulty 
bending
If providing a water 
fountain, you need one 
high and one low, or the 
combination as shown.
15
.SALES & SERVICE 
COUNTERS:
General sales and 
display area shall be 
made accessible.  Sales 
employee work stations 
shall be located on 
accessible levels, and 
the customer side of 
sales or check-out 
station shall be 
accessible.  Employee 
work areas shall be 
sized and arranged to 
provide access to 
employees in wheel 
chairs.
Circulation aisles and 
pedestrian ways shall 
be sized according to 
functional requirements 
and in no case shall be 
less than 36" in clear 
width. 
An accessible counter 
at a check cashing 
center.
Minimum 36” long, 
maximum 34” high.
16
When fitting or 
dressing room is 
provided for male or 
female customers or 
employees, 5% but 
never less than one of 
dressing rooms for 
each type of use in 
each cluster of 
dressing rooms shall 
be accessible. Entry 
doors shall provide 
clear opening of 
minimum 32". The 
bottom of the mirrors 
provided for use by 
persons with 
disabilities shall not be 
greater than 20" from 
the floor.  Size of the 
mirror shall be 
minimum 18" wide by 
54" high.
Every accessible 
dressing room shall 
have a 24” by 48”
bench fixed to the 
wall along the longer 
dimension.  Height of 
the bench shall be 17 
to 19 inches.  The 
minimum clear space 
within the room shall 
be 60” in width and 
length.  No door shall 
encroach into this 
required space.
17
FITTING ROOMS:
HISTORICAL BUILDINGS:
:\
In order to preserve 
the Integrity of 
qualified historical 
buildings the law
provides alternative 
regulations to 
facilitate
access. These 
regulations allow any 
reasonable equivalent 
alternatives to 
regular codes.
ENTRY
The following means of 
entries are acceptable as 
listed in order of priority.
1. Access to any entrance 
used by the public and no 
further than 200 feet from the 
primary entrance.
2. Access at any entrance not 
used by the public, but stay 
open  unlocked with
directional signs at the 
primary entrance, and as 
close as possible to, but no 
further than 200 feet from 
primary entrance. 
3.  The accessible entrance 
shall have a notification 
system where security is a 
problem; remote monitoring 
may be used.
18
DOORS:
The following 
alternatives are
acceptable as listed in 
order of priority. 
1. A single leaf door 
which provides a min. 
of 29 ½ inches
clear opening.
2. Double door, one 
leaf of which provides 
min. 29 ½ inches clear 
opening.
3. Double doors 
opening with a power-
assist device to 
provide a min of 29 ½
in. clear opening when 
both doors are in the 
open position.
POWER-ASSISTED 
DOORS:
A power-assisted door 
may be considered an 
equivalent alternative 
to level landing,
strike side clearance 
and door opening 
forces required by the 
regular code.
RAMPS:
(interior and exterior)
In the order of priority.
1. Ramps of greater 
than standard slope, 
but no greater than 
1:10,for horizontal 
distances not to   
exceed 5 feet.
Signs shall be posted 
at upper and lower 
levels to indicate
steepness of the slope
2. Access by ramps of 
1:6 slope for horizontal 
distance not to exceed 
13 in. with signs posted 
as above  
19
SECTION 8-605–
EXCEPTIONS
If the historical 
significance or 
character defining 
features would be 
threatened or 
destroyed by the 
application of
alternative access 
standards as 
provided by this 
chapter, and no 
equivalent  
facilitation as 
provided in section 
8-604 (CBC Ch.34 ) 
Is feasible, an 
exception from the 
literal requirements 
for full and equal 
access or any 
alternative provisions 
may be provided 
only if the following 
conditions are met:
1. Such exception is 
considered only on 
an item-by-item or a 
case-by-case basis
2. Interpretive exhibits 
and/or equal
services of the exempted 
significant
historical aspects are 
provided for the
public in a location fully 
accessible to 
and usable by persons 
disabilities, 
including persons with 
hearing and sight 
impairment.
3. Services are provided 
in an accessible
location equal to those 
provided in the 
excepted location.
4. The official charged 
with enforcement 
of the standards shall 
document the 
reasons for the 
application of the 
alternative design and/or 
technologies 
and their effect on the 
historical 
significance or character-
defining features. 
Such documentation 
shall be in 
accordance with 
section 8-602.2,(CBC 
Ch 34) item 3,and 
shall include the 
opinions and 
comments of 
representative local 
groups of people with 
disabilities. Such 
documentation shall 
be recorded and 
entered into the 
permanent file of the 
enforcing agency.  
20


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