California ADA Requirements For Accessibility

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities, and it also sets forth minimum requirements for accessibility. These requirements apply to all government facilities, including schools, colleges, and universities, as well as to public transit stations and sports stadiums. Additionally, private businesses that rely on the general public and have 15 or more employees must comply with ADA standards.

California ADA restroom requirements or alterations, the ADA requires that accessible sinks be installed no higher than 34 inches from the floor and that lavatories be at least 27 inches high. In addition, toilets should be installed no more than 17-19 inches from the wall, and urinals should have at least 17 inches of knee clearance. Lastly, faucets must be easy to operate without twisting or pinching the wrist, and they must require five pounds of force to activate.

California ADA Restroom Requirements: A Guide to Compliance

Additionally, every restroom in California must be identified by both a tactile and braille sign on the door, as well as a geometric sign that is installed directly on the door. In order to meet ADA standards, these signs must include the international restroom symbol and contain both tactile text and a pictogram of the restroom’s gender, as specified in DSA Advisory 11B-703.7.2.6.

In some cases, buildings may use dual purpose CA restroom signs if they meet all of the above criteria. However, this should be avoided, as it puts users of tactile signs at a disadvantage and makes bathroom user collisions more likely. In addition, it can make it harder to identify the restroom and confuses users who have limited vision.