If you are remodeling or adding bathrooms in a commercial building, you’ll likely have to bring the restroom(s) up to current accessibility (ADA) Standards. Here we go over some of these main requirements for ADA compliant restrooms, particularly single user toilet rooms.

IBC (International Building Code)

The IBC, the model building code used throughout the US requires each toilet room to be accessible (2021 IBC 1110.2). There are some exceptions, such as toilet rooms for private offices, dwelling units, etc. And a notable exception states that where multiple single user restrooms are clustered together, only 50% of them need to be accessible.

When it comes to the details of an accessible toilet room, we usually references the ADAAG (Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accessibility Guidelines), although similar requirements are found in ICC A117.1.

Turning Space

ADAAG 603.2.1- Provide turning space per 304, which states turning spaces shall be level (<1:48 slope) and shall include a 60″ (5 ft) diameter space. So, we draw a 5 ft diameter circle in our bathroom! This cannot overlap any of the fixtures, but it can overlap other clearances. Door swings are allowed to overlap the turning space per 603.2.3

Toilet (Water Closet) Clearance

ADAAG 604.3 – Provide a 60″x 56″ clear area at the toilet. The 60″ is perpendicular to the side wall of the toilet.

Toilet Location

ADAAG 604.2- The centerline of toilet shall be 16-18″ from the sidewall. Seat height shall also be 17″-19″ above the floor.

Lavatory (Bathroom Sink) Clearance & Configuration

ADAAG 606.2- Provide clear space per 305, which requires a 30″x48″ clear area, where the 48″ is perpendicular to the back wall of the sink. Sinks shall be 34″ max height at the top. It also requires “knee and toe clearance” under the sink as shown below:

Grab Bars

Grab bars shall be provided at the toilet, meeting requirements per ADAAG 604.5, as shown below.

Dispensers shall also be location in the following location:

Other Requirements

The details listed here are some of the main requirements needed for designing an ADA compliant, single user restroom. There are other details not mentioned here that can be looked up in the ADAAG, such as:

-Door Clearances / Door closer requirements
-Grab Bar Graspability
-Mirror Mounting locations
-Door handle/ lever accessibility
-Faucet accessibility