California Apartment Association

For the first time, California and federal accessibility standards are in sync.

The updated 2013 California Building Code aligns access regulations for everything from parking spaces and handrails to housing, says the state’s Division of the State Architect.

The division developed the new regulations, which integrate state building code provisions with those from the 2010 Americans with Disabilities Act Standards for Accessible Design.

The regulations put in place a single set of requirements that meet both state and federal accessibility mandates.

The commission adopted the package last week, and the changes take effect Jan. 1, 2014.

“Adoption of the 2013 California Building Code provides clarity and consistency for both the general public and code users such as architects, contractors and building officials,” State Architect Chet Widom said in a news release.

Forty years ago, California enacted laws to establish accessibility standards. In 1990, the federal Americans with Disabilities Act passed. Since then, Californians have struggled with compliance of both state and federal access laws and standards because the two have never been completely aligned.

The subtle differences between the state and federal standards have led to costly litigation. They also prompted the Legislature last year to pass SB 1186, which bans “demand for money letters” from plaintiffs alleging violations of the federal or state-access regulations.

The legislation also requires plaintiffs to specify which provision or provisions of the code are in question — and how the alleged non-compliance prevented their access to the building.

Bringing California and federal access requirements in line complements SB 1186.

During development of the 2013 state building code, more than 2,500 items from the 2010 state and federal codes were analyzed to determine which provisions provided greater accessibility.

Items studied varied from parking spaces, handrails, drinking fountains, and signs, to transportation facilities, housing, and correctional facilities.

Provisions for recreational facilities have also been incorporated in the 2013 state building code, including amusement rides, playgrounds, golf courses and fishing piers.

“I’m proud of the Division of the State Architect’s work and the fact that these clearly communicated requirements will not only increase accessibility for persons with  disabilities,” added DGS director Fred Klass, “but also provide consistent regulations for the business community.”