26 - Laserfiche WebLink

Accessibility requirements for residential projects are reflected in CBC Chapters 11A (for private development projects) and 11B (for publicly funded housing projects). Chapter 11A requirements are applicable to apartment buildings with three or more units, or condominiums with four or more units. Not all units within a development area required to meet Chapter 11A. Units to which requirements apply are described as "covered units." Units not on a ground floor or accessible by an elevator or ramp are not considered "covered units." The CBC does not impose accessibility requirements on most single- family projects or duplex units, with the exception of units built with public funds. The CBC requires all covered units in a project to be designed as `adaptable,' which is defined in the Building Code as "designed with elements and spaces allowing the unit to be adapted or adjusted to accommodate the user." In other words, there is not a requirement for covered units to be fully accessible to a person with a disability, rather it must be designed in such a manner that it can be easily adapted or modified for a person with a disability requiring accessible features. Those requirements include elements such as an accessible route to and through the unit, wider doors and maneuvering clearances, special door hardware, kitchen and bathroom layout, and backing for grab bars, receptacle and switch/control heights all need to be incorporated into the design so accommodations can be easily made when needed by an occupant. These standards are generally not as stringent as commercial design standards but intended to allow for basic usability by a tenant. In terms of features like roll-in showers, the CBC requirements for covered projects offer, in many cases, options to fulfill the requirement (e.g., a bathtub with handheld shower, OR a roll-in shower); a kitchen with lower-height counters OR a pull out breadboard-type work surface). Limitation on Local Code Amendments In Pleasanton (and most local jurisdictions), the CBC is adopted into the Municipal Code by reference, with limited local amendments. State law prescribes the authority and bases for local amendments to Title 24 — stating that local amendments can only be adopted based on a limited range of considerations to address a specific local topographic, geographic, or climatic condition, and such findings must be expressly required when adopting such amendments into a local ordinance.' Since the scope of"covered units" and nature of required accessibility features is so clearly defined in Title 24 and the CBC and expanding the scope of such requirements could not reasonably be tied to specific local topographic, geographic or climatic conditions, it is not be permissible to adopt a mandatory building code (or similar standards) for enhanced accessibility as part of the PMC or other similar body of local legislation. ' https://www.dgs.ca.gov/BSC/Codes/Local-Amendments-to-Building-Standards---Ordinances Page 3 of 7