California ADA Requirements for Access Ramps

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California ADA requirements have its own set of regulations for new construction and alterations to existing structures in regard to accessibility, so ADA ramps will need to meet these unique requirements.

The purpose of the California Building Code is to, “establish the minimum requirements to safeguard the public health, safety, and general welfare” (California Building Code, 1.1.2). Below is a simple guideline for the California ADA ramp requirements that discusses ADA Regulations as well as California Building Code. You can also download the pdf version of the California Ramp Checklist [PDF].

Ramp ADA Requirements

Ramp Width – 48 inches of clear space between handrails.

Ramp Rise – The rise for any single ramp run shall be 30 inches maximum which mean it can be 30 feet long maximum before you are required to have a resting platform.

Ramp Slope – Maximum is 1:12 slope which means 1 inch of rise for every 12 inches of ramp run. Read more about ADA ramp slope requirements.

Cross slope of ramp runs: Maximum 1:48.

Handrail height: 34 inches – 38 inches from the walking surface.

Handrail grip: 1-1/4 inch minimum to 2-inch maximum outside diameter for circular handrails.
*For complete ADA ramp handrail requirements for California, view the California Building Code 11B-505.

Edge protection: A curb, 2 inches high minimum, shall be provided that prevents the passage of a 4-inch diameter sphere, where any portion of the sphere is within 4 inches of the finish floor or ground surface.

• Landing width: The landing must be at least as wide as the widest ramp run leading to the landing, and it must have at least 48 inches between the handrails.
  NOTE 1: Landings at the top of the ramp must be at least 60 inches wide in the direction of travel.
• Landing length: Each landing must be at least 60 inches of clear length.
  NOTE 2: Landings at the bottom of a ramp must extend 72 inches in the direction of travel past the edge of the ramp.
• Landing at a change in direction: 72 inches x 60 inches minimum in the direction of DOWNWARD travel from the upper ramp run.

Landings with doors or gates: All ADA ramp landings with manual, swinging doors or gates in California must comply with maneuvering clearance regulations as well as minimum platform width regulations.

The California Building Code states, “Doors, when fully open, shall not reduce the required ramp landing width by more than 3 inches. Doors, in any position, shall not reduce the minimum dimension of the ramp landing to less than 42 inches.” (11B-405.7.5)