58-1402. Same; design and construction standards. (a) Except as provided by this act, dwellings shall be designed and constructed to have at least one accessible entrance on an accessible route. If the entrance is served by a ramp, the ramp shall have a maximum slope not to exceed a ratio of one inch rise to every 12 inch horizontal run and shall have a level landing at the top and bottom of each run.

Accessible entrance doors and doorways shall have a minimum clear opening of 32 inches. The accessible entrance may be any entrance at the front, side, back or garage of the dwelling that is served by an accessible route. The accessible route shall be no less than 36 inches wide with a slope not to exceed a ratio of one inch rise to every 20 inch horizontal run. If a patio door serves as an accessible entrance, a standard six-foot sliding patio door assembly shall be deemed to be sufficient to comply with the requirements of this subsection. The threshold of such doors shall not exceed 1/2 inch or, in the case of a sliding door, 3/4 inch.

(b) All doorways located on the same floor on which the accessible entrance is located within the dwelling intended for user passage within the dwelling shall be sufficiently wide to allow passage by persons using wheelchairs. Except for doors serving closets having less than 15 square feet in area, all doors located on the same floor on which the accessible entrance is located which are intended for user passage shall provide a minimum 32-inch clear opening with the door open 90 degrees measured between the face of the door and the doorstop.

(c) An accessible route located on the same floor on which the accessible entrance is located shall be designed and constructed in such a manner that a 36-inch wide route is provided with a slope not to exceed a ratio of one inch rise to every 20 inch horizontal run. Such route shall have ramped or beveled changes at door thresholds. Beveled edges of such thresholds shall not exceed 1/2 inch or, in the case of a sliding door, 3/4 inch.

(d) In bathrooms located on the same floor on which the accessible entrance is located, the walls at the bathtub, shower and toilet shall be reinforced so that grab bars may be installed at a later date, if needed. Such reinforcement shall be sufficient enough to support a sheer force of 250 pounds.

(e) Light switches, electrical outlets, thermostat controls and other controls located on the same floor on which the accessible entrance is located shall be placed so that a person using a wheelchair can access the controls using either a forward or sideward approach. Such controls shall be placed no less than 15 inches nor more than 48 inches from the floor in the case of a forward approach. Such controls shall be placed no less than nine inches nor more than 54 inches from the floor in the case of a sideward approach. If multiple controls serve the same elements, only one need be accessible.

History: L. 2002, ch. 175, § 2; July 1.