Accessibility compliance is checked on every commercial building permit submittal. Plan reviewers verify drawings against the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design, ICC A117.1 (Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities), and the accessibility provisions in the IBC (Chapter 11). Accessibility violations are among the most common plan review corrections because they span every discipline: site plans, floor plans, elevations, door schedules, fixture schedules, and signage plans all have accessibility requirements.
This checklist covers the 10 accessibility plan review issues that generate the most comments. They are organized by building element, starting with the site and working inward through the floor plan.
Site and approach
1. Accessible parking count and dimensions
The number of accessible parking spaces is based on the total parking count per ADA Section 208.2: 1 to 25 total spaces requires 1 accessible space, 26 to 50 requires 2, 51 to 75 requires 3, and the count increases from there. At least one of every six accessible spaces (or fraction) must be van-accessible, with a minimum 8-foot stall and 8-foot access aisle (11-foot stall with 5-foot aisle is an acceptable alternative). Standard accessible spaces require a minimum 8-foot stall and 5-foot access aisle. All accessible spaces must have the shortest accessible route to the building entrance. Reviewers check the site plan for the correct count, proper dimensions, signage (including the "van accessible" designation), and the slope of the parking surface and access aisle (2% maximum in all directions). Sharing access aisles between adjacent spaces is permitted but must be clearly shown.
2. Accessible route from parking to entrance
An accessible route must connect each accessible parking space to the accessible building entrance. The route must be at least 36 inches wide (48 inches preferred), with a maximum running slope of 1:20 (5%) for walking surfaces and 1:12 (8.33%) for ramps. Cross slope must not exceed 1:48 (2.08%). Changes in level up to 1/4 inch are permitted without treatment. Changes between 1/4 and 1/2 inch must be beveled at 1:2. Changes greater than 1/2 inch require a ramp. The route must be free of abrupt level changes, grates with openings larger than 1/2 inch (with the long dimension perpendicular to travel), and protruding objects that reduce the clear width. Reviewers trace the accessible route on the site plan from every accessible parking space to the entrance, checking for curb ramps with detectable warning surfaces at street crossings and adequate width at all points.
3. Ramp compliance
Where level changes along the accessible route exceed 1/2 inch, ramps are required. The maximum running slope is 1:12 (one inch of rise per 12 inches of run). Maximum rise per ramp run is 30 inches. Landings are required at the top and bottom of every run and at every change of direction, with a minimum length of 60 inches in the direction of travel and at least as wide as the ramp. Handrails are required on both sides of ramps with a rise greater than 6 inches. Edge protection (curbs, walls, or extended floor surface) is required to prevent wheelchair casters and crutch tips from slipping off the edge. Reviewers check ramp sections for slope, rise, landing dimensions, handrail extensions (12 inches beyond the top and bottom), and edge protection. Non-uniform slopes and undersized landings at switchback turns are the most common ramp violations.
Doors and interior circulation
4. Door maneuvering clearances
Every door on an accessible route must provide maneuvering clearance per ADA Section 404.2.4 and ICC A117.1. The required clearance depends on the approach direction (front, latch side, or hinge side) and whether the door swings toward or away from the approaching user. For a front approach to a pull door, the clearance is 60 inches from the door face and 18 inches on the latch side. For a front approach to a push door, the clearance is 48 inches from the door face (or 44 inches with a closer and latch). These clearances must be level (within 1:48 slope) and unobstructed by furniture, equipment, or other door swings. Door hardware must be operable with one hand without tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist (lever handles, push/pull bars). Reviewers check every door on the accessible route for maneuvering clearance dimensions, hardware type, and conflicts with adjacent door swings.
5. Corridor width and protruding objects
Accessible corridors must maintain at least 36 inches of clear width. Where an accessible route makes a 180-degree turn around an obstruction less than 48 inches wide, the minimum clear width is 42 inches on each side of the turn. Objects mounted on walls between 27 and 80 inches above the floor must not protrude more than 4 inches into the accessible route (ADA Section 307). Objects mounted below 27 inches may protrude any amount because they are within cane detection range. Free-standing objects on posts (signs, drinking fountains) must not overhang the accessible route by more than 12 inches on any side. Reviewers check reflected ceiling plans and interior elevations for wall-mounted fire extinguisher cabinets, AED cases, display cases, and drinking fountains that protrude more than 4 inches between 27 and 80 inches above the floor.
Restrooms and fixtures
6. Accessible toilet room layout
Accessible single-user and multi-stall toilet rooms must provide specific clearances around the water closet and lavatory. The accessible water closet requires the centerline to be 16 to 18 inches from the side wall, a minimum clear floor space of 60 inches measured from the side wall and 56 inches from the rear wall for wall-mounted water closets (59 inches for floor-mounted), and grab bars on the side wall (42 inches minimum, mounted 33 to 36 inches above the floor) and rear wall (36 inches minimum, with 12 inches on the side nearest the water closet and 24 inches on the other side). The toilet seat must be 17 to 19 inches above the floor. Accessible lavatories must provide 27 inches of knee clearance below the bowl. Reviewers check the toilet room plan for all clearance dimensions, grab bar locations and lengths, and fixture mounting heights. The most common violations are water closets offset from the 16-to-18-inch centerline requirement and missing or undersized rear grab bars.
7. Accessible stall dimensions
In multi-stall toilet rooms, at least one stall must be a wheelchair- accessible stall with a minimum 60-inch width and 59-inch depth for wall-mounted water closets (56-inch width for end-opening stalls with a 59-inch depth). The stall door must swing outward or be a sliding door, providing a clear opening of at least 32 inches measured between the door face and the opposite stop when the door is open 90 degrees. The stall door hardware must be operable with one hand and must include both a pull on the inside and a closer. Where six or more stalls are provided, an additional ambulatory-accessible stall is required: 35 to 37 inches wide with parallel grab bars on both sides. Reviewers check stall dimensions on the floor plan, verify door swing direction and clear opening width, and confirm grab bar placement within the accessible stall.
Signage, controls, and communication
8. Signage requirements
Room identification signs for permanent rooms (offices, restrooms, stairways, exit routes) must include raised characters and Grade 2 Braille per ADA Section 703.2. These tactile signs must be mounted on the wall adjacent to the latch side of the door, with the baseline of the lowest tactile character at 48 inches minimum and the baseline of the highest at 60 inches maximum above the floor. Tactile signs must be located so a person can approach within 3 inches of the sign without encountering protruding objects or door swings. Directional and informational signs (non-tactile) must have high visual contrast and minimum character height per viewing distance. The International Symbol of Accessibility is required at accessible entrances, parking spaces, toilet rooms, and bathing facilities. Reviewers check the signage plan for tactile sign locations, mounting heights, and the presence of the accessibility symbol at required locations.
9. Reach ranges and operable controls
All operable controls on accessible routes must be within reach range and operable with one hand without tight grasping, pinching, or twisting. The maximum unobstructed forward reach is 48 inches above the floor. The minimum low reach is 15 inches. Where a forward reach is over an obstruction 20 to 25 inches deep, the maximum is reduced to 44 inches. For unobstructed side reach, the maximum is 48 inches and the minimum is 15 inches. This applies to every light switch, thermostat, electrical receptacle, fire alarm pull station, elevator call button, card reader, intercom, and dispenser on the accessible route. Reviewers check mounting heights on interior elevations and the electrical plans. Common violations include thermostats above 48 inches, paper towel dispensers above reach range, and electrical receptacles below 15 inches.
10. Elevator and vertical access
When a building has multiple stories, an accessible means of vertical access must be provided. Elevators must comply with ADA Section 407: the cab must be at least 51 inches deep and 68 inches wide (80 inches for a center-opening car with 36-inch doors), with a 36-inch minimum clear door opening. Call buttons must be 42 inches maximum above the floor. Car controls must be within reach range (48 inches high, 54 inches for side approach). Hall call buttons, car position indicators, and audible signals are required for accessibility. Reviewers check the elevator plan and section for cab dimensions, door width, call button heights, and car control mounting heights. They also verify that accessible floor levels are served. For buildings using the IBC elevator exception (Section 1104.4), they verify the exception applies to the specific occupancy and building size. Platform lifts are permitted in limited conditions and must comply with ADA Section 410.
Catching these before submittal
Accessibility compliance cuts across the site plan, floor plan, door schedule, fixture schedule, interior elevations, signage plan, and electrical plans. A single toilet room drawing can have violations involving the water closet centerline, grab bar placement, lavatory knee clearance, door maneuvering clearance, and sign mounting height. Reviewing drawings against ADA, ICC A117.1, and IBC Chapter 11 simultaneously is where automated review tools have the biggest impact: they can check clearances, mounting heights, and counts across all sheets in one pass, catching the multi-discipline conflicts that are hardest to find in a manual review.