California Retail / Access Compliance

The requirements for access compliance in California retail facilities are defined by a combination of federal laws and state codes contained in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the California Building Code (CBC).

The ADA standards were recently updated and went into effect on March 15, 2011, requiring full compliance after March 15, 2012.  For retail facilities, the new ADA will most significantly affect restroom layouts, (requiring larger  single occupancy restrooms), with tighter restrictions on reach ranges and new requirements for accessible signs.

The 2010 CBC, which becomes effective on January 1, 2011, also includes changes to the dimensional requirements for restrooms, and additional requirements for accessible signs.

Ashdown Architecture has significant experience addressing complex access compliance issues in the built environment.  We are committed to improving access for individuals with disabilities by providing information, education and access compliance solutions to business owners and design professionals throughout California.  We offer a variety of seminars that address access compliance issues in California and provide required continuing education credit for architects.

If it would be appropriate, we would be delighted to provide a one hour accessibility compliance seminar to Gap Store Design personnel, focusing on current requirements for access compliance in California retail facilities, with emphasis on changes that will be required by implementation of the new ADA and the 2010 CBC.  If you would like to schedule a seminar or if you have any questions regarding any of the above, please don’t hesitate to contact us either via email or telephone at (415) 552-5126.

About Dwight Ashdown

The website is authored by Ashdown Architecture, Inc., a California Architectural firm and Certified Access Specialist (CASp) #112 All content is copyrighted by Ashdown Architecture and may not be used without the written consent of Ashdown Architecture, Inc.
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2 Responses to California Retail / Access Compliance

  1. Jennifer Montgomery says:

    Is there any requirement that a large retail facility offer electric scooters for their customers? Dollar General Stores specifically…..

    • Dwight Ashdown says:

      There’s no requirement that I’m aware of – in either the ADA or the California Building Code for retail establishments to provide electric scooters for the convenience of their customers.

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