2013 CBC Access
Code Update
Robert L. Chase
Deputy State Architect
Dennis J. Corelis
Deputy State Architect
Presentation to the
Sacramento Valley
Association of
Building Officials
11 October 2013
DSA Proposes Building Code Regulations for:
State and local government facilities
› ADA Title II Entities
 Privately owned public accommodations
and commercial facilities
› ADA Title III Entities


2013 CBC – Integrated 2010 ADA Standards
with 2010 California Building Code Chapter
11B Access Provisions

Emergency Regulations – 1 August 2012

Mid-cycle supplement – 1 July 2015
Nation-wide regulations by US DOJ
 ADA 2010 Standards

› Issued – 15 September 2010
› Mandatory – 15 March 2012
Preference survey to
stakeholders
›
›
›
›

400 + responses
2010 ADA – 65%
2010 IBC – 21%
2010 CBC – 14%
2010 ADA Standards selected as model
code for Chapter 11B
Nationally recognized consultant group

Detailed comparison 2010 CBC to 2010 ADAS

2,500 row x 12 column spreadsheet

Identified limited number of direct conflicts

Emergency Regulations

DSA Advisory Board
Access Committee
Working Group convened

Public Workshop

BSC hearing and approval
19 July 2012
Effective Date - 1 August 2012
7 public comment forums May
through July 2012
 Draft language issued by ADA
Chapter
 Multiple modalities for
accessibility

› Accessible venues
› Real time captioning
› Alternate formats, large
font, audio recordings

Adopted – 24 January 2013

Publication – 1 July 2013

Effective – 1 January 2014
Final Express Terms available from Building
Standards Commission at (PDF) (DOC)

ADA Chapters = Divisions within Chapter 11B
› Division 1 – Application and Administration
› Division 2 – Scoping Requirements
› Division 3 – Building Blocks
› Division 4 – Accessible Routes
› Division 5 – General Site and Building Elements

ADA Chapters = Divisions within Chapter 11B
› Division 6 – Plumbing Elements and Facilities
› Division 7 – Communications Elements and
Features
› Division 8 – Special Rooms, Spaces and Elements
› Division 9 – Built-in Elements
› Division 10 – Recreational Facilities

Maintains ADA format and numbering
› 502 Parking Spaces = 11B-502 Parking Spaces

Model code amendments
› 175 substantive provisions were added
› 41 substantive provisions were deleted
› Italic font used for amended language
› Defined terms not shown in italic font

Definitions
› Defined terms Listed in Chapter 11B Division 1
› Definitions consolidated in Chapter 2

ADA Advisories
› Not in published code;
› Included in companion document.

Cross Reference Matrix
› 2010 CBC to 2013 CBC provisions

2013 CBC Advisory Version
› Enhanced Table of Contents
› Federal Advisories from 2010 ADAS
› California State Advisories

References Posted on DSA website

Scoping first – what, where and how many

Technical – how
 Enforcement
2013 CBC versus the 2010 ADA Standards?

Building code versus civil rights law.
Path of Travel Upgrades Triggered by
“Alterations” 
Scope

Thresholds

Exemptions
What is an Alteration?
ALTERATION - A change,
addition or modification in
construction, change in
occupancy or use, or
structural repair to an
existing building or facility.
Alterations include, but are not limited to:
› remodeling,
› renovation,
› rehabilitation,
› reconstruction,
› historic restoration,
› resurfacing circulation paths or vehicular ways,
› changes or rearrangement of the structural
parts or elements,
› changes or rearrangement in the plan
configuration of walls and full-height partitions.
Normal maintenance, reroofing, painting
or wallpapering, or changes to
mechanical and electrical systems are not
alterations unless they affect the usability
of the building or facility.
When alterations or additions are made
to existing buildings or facilities, an
accessible “path of travel” to the
specific area of alteration or addition
shall be provided.
The primary accessible path of travel shall
include:
1. A primary entrance to the building or facility,
2. Toilet and bathing facilities serving the area,
3. Drinking fountains serving the area,
4. Public telephones serving the area, and
5. Signs.
If fully compliant, no additional work required.
Indexed annually – currently $139,935
When adjusted construction cost ≤ valuation
threshold  cost of compliance limited to 20 % of the
adjusted construction cost.

Choose elements in priority order for
greatest access.
When Adjusted construction cost >
valuation threshold  Cost of compliance not limited,
Unless  Enforcing authority, upon a finding of
“unreasonable hardship,” may limit
cost of compliance, but
 Cost of compliance shall not be less
than 20% of the adjusted construction
cost.
Exceptions for projects consisting only of:
 heating, ventilation, air conditioning,
 reroofing,
 electrical work not involving placement
of switches and receptacles,
 cosmetic work such as painting,
 equipment not considered to be a part
of the architecture of the building or
area, such as computer terminals and
office equipment and
Projects consisting of:
 Maintenance
 Changes to electrical systems
 Changes to mechanical systems
For projects covered by these exceptions path of travel upgrades not required
unless the usability, in terms of access, of
the building or facility is affected.
Recommendations for timely processing 




Is project an alteration?
If alteration, does an exception apply?
If no exception, compliance of existing path of
travel elements?
If non-compliant, include upgrades in project
scope.
Early discussion with enforcing authority.
Comments and questions may also be submitted
to:
DSAAccess2013@dgs.ca.gov
Division of the State Architect
1102 Q Street, Suite 5100, Sacramento CA 95811
Dennis Corelis, Deputy State Architect
Dennis.corelis@dgs.ca.gov
916 445-4167
Susan Moe, Senior Architect
Susan.Moe@dgs.ca.gov
916 323-1687
Derek Shaw
Derek.Shaw@dgs.ca.gov
916 324-7178