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ada regulations

Regulations, Statutes, & Codes – in Terms of Access

Posted on February 14th, 2024

Explore the nuances of ADA and access codes with Janis Kent, Architect. Gain clarity on differences, implementations, and how federal and state regulations interact.

Parking Priority in Alterations and Barrier Removal

Posted on February 2nd, 2022

The question comes up quite often of what minimally is required to be done for alterations on parking. And for that matter, what about barrier removal when no alterations are happening. Are the requirements the same across the board for addressing non-compliant accessible parking spaces? And this does get confused since it requires looking closely at the wording of the implementing regulations. 

Parking Structures and Access

Parking Structures and Access

Posted on January 5th, 2022

A question has come up about accessible parking and dispersement within parking structures. Standard accessible and van accessible spaces can be looked at a bit differently within a structure. Under the ADA Standards, the height clearance for van accessible spaces is to be 98″ minimum clear for the full vehicular route to and from the space, which includes both the space and its access aisle. The California Building Code (CBC) requires this height clearance for both standard and van accessible spaces, except in existing parking structures.

Pop-Up Restaurants and What You Need to Know About Access

Posted on September 12th, 2020

Janis Kent, Architect, FAIA, CASp © September, 2020 With the continuation of our on-going plague, many restaurants are taking their seating area out to the public sidewalks, parking areas, and even onto the streets. While the concept of pop-up restaurants has been around for a while, it has evolved as a temporary outdoor add-on to existing […]

Parking for Multi-Family Housing with Public Funding or Public Programs

Parking for Multi-Family Housing with Public Funding or Public Programs

Posted on September 13th, 2019

Parking for multi-family housing can be one of the more perplexing items for scoping. The easy part is, if you have one space per unit, then you need one accessible parking space per mobility feature dwelling unit which should be located as close as feasible to each of the mobility units. But how to determine the requirements in other situations is not laid out as clearly. 

parking accessibility

The Van Accessible Parking Space – What Does It Need?

Posted on May 29th, 2019

The technical requirements for parking are straight-forward, yet according to annual statistics provided by the California Commission on Disability Access (CCDA), items related to parking make up 5 of the top 10 accessibility related lawsuits in the state.

Valet & Passenger Loading Zones

Valet & Passenger Loading Zones – What do I Need to Provide?

Posted on February 20th, 2019

Recently, it has come to my attention that there is some confusion on passenger loading zones and what are the requirements. It is also difficult to determine if the requirements are misunderstood based on drawing review, since on-grade markings are shown. It is just that they are incorrectly placed in the pull-up space. 

Reflective Parking Signs

Reflectorized Parking Signs – Exactly What is That?

Posted on July 9th, 2018

One of the items that did not seem entirely clear to me was reflective or reflectorized signs for parking, and how do you recognize them, vs glossy or matt signs. At one point I looked for small dots in the signs but many of them seem to be faded with no added benefit that I could discern. And recently I have been seeing the signs with vertical type prism bands. So what is required, what is the difference, and what are we looking for?

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (EVCS) & Access

Posted on December 6th, 2016

As Electric Vehicles become more prevalent, the question comes up of what to do to make them accessible and even whether or not they are required to be accessible. Although not specifically mentioned in the ADA Standards, the prevailing requirement in the implementing regulations requires a measure of access for all. So if an element is available to the able-bodied population, then it should also be available for those with a disability. Since there are no scoping and technical requirements what do you do?

Pool Lifts – How to get in, out, up, and down

Posted on April 29th, 2016

Pool lifts have very specific requirements which many times have been overlooked – from the mechanism itself to the level clear floor space adjacent to the water edge. Lifts are typically required for both pools and spas, although there are other alternative means of entry into the water that are also acceptable. This requirement first became mandatory on March 15, 2012 but an extension was provided until January 31, 2013 for existing pools. What was cause for great confusion at the time was the difference between the industry language of portable lift versus fixed and the ADA requirements. Basically the ADA states that the lift has to be fixed – whether this means a portable lift that is fixed in place or a typical fixed lift – both appear to be acceptable as long as they meet the other lift requirements.