2025 California Standards for Accessible Design Guide (effective January 1, 2026)

11B-809.8 Doors.

Primary entry doors, required exit doors, secondary exterior doors and interior doors shall comply with this section and Section 11B-809.8. Doors to small mechanical closets specifically dedicated to furnaces or hot water heaters shall not be required to comply with this section.

1. The clear width of doors shall comply with Section 11B-404.2.3.
2. Door hardware shall comply with Section 11B-404.2.7.
3. Door surfaces shall comply with Section 11B-404.2.10.
4. Doors in series shall comply with Section 11B-404.2.6.

ETA Editor's Note:

From DSA's "Summary of New and Amended 2025 California Building Code (CBC) Regulations for Accessibility in the Triennial Code Cycle": "Language addressing interior doors within residential dwelling units with adaptable features has been amended to resolve conflicting requirements. Additional amendments reflect the relocation of existing exceptions in Section 11B-809.8 to Section 11B-809.8.3.1."

11B-809.8.1 Door Thresholds.

Primary entry doors, required exit doors, and interior doors intended for user passage shall have thresholds complying with Section 11B-404.2.5. Secondary exterior door thresholds, including sliding door tracks, shall be 3/4 inch (19.1 mm) high maximum with a 1:2 maximum slope.

11B-809.8.2 Door opening force.

Doors shall comply with Section 11B-404.2.9.

Exception: The opening force for primary entry exterior doors and secondary exterior doors shall be 8.5 pounds (38 N) maximum.

11B-809.8.3 Door maneuvering clearance.

Minimum maneuvering clearances at doors shall comply with Section 11B-809.8.3. Maneuvering clearances shall extend the full width of the doorway and the required latch side or hinge side clearance.

1. At the dwelling unit side of the primary entry doors, secondary exterior doors, and required exit doors maneuvering clearances shall be 44 inches (1118 mm) minimum in length measured perpendicular to the face of the door in the closed position. The width of the maneuvering clearance shall extend 18 inches (457 mm) beyond the strike edge at the pull side of the door.

2. At interior doors maneuvering clearances shall be 42 inches (1067 mm) minimum in length on both sides of the door measured perpendicular to the face of the door in the closed position. A 39 inch (991 mm) minimum length is allowed at interior doors when a clear opening width of 34 inches (864 mm) minimum is provided. The width of the maneuvering clearance shall extend 18 inches (457 mm) beyond the strike edge at the pull side of the door.

11B-809.8.3.1 Floor or ground surface.

Floor or ground surface within required maneuvering clearances shall not have slopes exceeding 1:48.

Exceptions: The floor or landing at primary entry doors, required exit doors and secondary exit doors where a change in elevation
occurs between the interior and the exterior surface of the floor or landing, shall comply with the following:

1. Exterior landings of impervious construction (e.g., concrete, brick, flagstone) serving primary entry doors and required exit doors are limited to not more than 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) of change in height between floor surfaces. Changes in level shall comply with Section 11B-809.7.2.
2. Exterior landings of pervious construction (e.g., wood decking with spaces) shall be the same level as the interior landing, except that secondary exterior doors may have no more than 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) of change in height between floor surfaces. Changes in level shall comply with Section 11B-809.7.2.
3. Secondary exterior doors onto decks, patios or balcony surfaces constructed of impervious materials (e.g., concrete, brick, flagstone) may have a maximum change in height from the interior landing of 4 inches (102 mm). Changes in height greater than 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) shall be accomplished by means of a ramp complying with Section 11B-405 or by means of a platform constructed to the level of the floor as illustrated in Figure 11B-809.8.3.1(3).
4. Secondary exterior doors onto decks, patios or balcony surfaces constructed of impervious materials (e.g., concrete,
   brick, flagstone) may have a maximum change in height from the interior landing of 1 inch (25 mm), provided a ramp
   with a maximum slope of 1:8 is permanently installed as illustrated in Figure 11B-809.8.3.1(4).

11B-809.8.4 Door signal devices.

Every primary entrance to a residential dwelling unit with adaptable features shall be provided with a door buzzer, bell, chime or equivalent. The activating mechanism shall be mounted 48 inches (1219 mm) maximum above the floor and connected to permanent wiring.