As a heads up, care should be taken in applying the technical aspects of 11B-403.5.1, Exception 4 re: minimum aisle width in California. The interpretation of the meaning of aisles "serving elements on both sides" might be taken by some AHJs to mean public access to aisles that have self-serve items on both sides of an aisle in, say, a Mercantile Group M Occupancy, vs. what we have understood it to mean: the clear width related to egress when a Main Aisle is fed by feeder aisles (also known as 'Range Aisles') on both sides of the Main Aisle (thereby needing the wider aisle to accommodate more people). Verify with the AHJ before locking into a plan layout. The difference may trigger a 44" minimum aisle width vs. a 36" minimum aisle width.
Caution regarding minimum Aisle Widths for aisles that serve "elements on both sides"
General Comment or Question
Re: 2013 California Standards for Accessible Design Pocket Guide / 11B-403.5.1 Clear width
Dan Woosley | August 14, 2015 at 5:08PM (edited)
Related Keywords
Related Section Numbers
- 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design Pocket Guide (1)
- 1991 ADA Standards for Accessible Design (3)
- 2013 California Standards for Accessible Design Pocket Guide (2)
Accurate: 100% (1 votes)
Helpful: 100% (2 votes)
Message 1 of 4
DSA-AC definition
General Comment or Question
Re: 2013 California Standards for Accessible Design Pocket Guide / 11B-403.5.1 Clear width
Soojin Hur | October 12, 2015 at 7:10PM (edited)
Mr. Woosley,
DSA-AC's definition of the "AISLE" seems to clearly include those merchandise aisles and even aisles within dining facilities. Is there still a room for interpretation? Have you seen some cities enforce this exception strictly or has it been more applicable to means of egress condition?
Related Keywords
Related Section Numbers
- 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design Pocket Guide (1)
- 1991 ADA Standards for Accessible Design (3)
- 2013 California Standards for Accessible Design Pocket Guide (3)
Accurate: N/A (0 votes)
Helpful: N/A (0 votes)
Message 2 of 4
Re: Caution regarding minimum Aisle Widths for aisles that serve "elements on both sides"
General Comment or Question
Re: 2013 California Standards for Accessible Design Pocket Guide / 11B-403.5.1 Clear width
Davis Mark | May 14, 2026 at 4:05AM (edited)
Thanks for the insights, Dan! It's crucial to clarify aisle width requirements, especially when it impacts accessibility. This reminds me of quordle—every word choice matters, just like every design decision can affect user experience. Always good to verify with the AHJ!
Related Keywords
Related Section Numbers
- 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design Pocket Guide (1)
- 2019 California Standards for Accessible Design Guide (effective January 1, 2020 with July 1, 2021 amendments) (3)
- 2016 California Standards for Accessible Design Pocket Guide - Eff. Jan. 1, 2017 (3)
- 2013 California Standards for Accessible Design Pocket Guide (3)
Accurate: N/A (0 votes)
Helpful: N/A (0 votes)
Message 3 of 4
Re: Caution regarding minimum Aisle Widths for aisles that serve "elements on both sides"
General Comment or Question
Re: 2013 California Standards for Accessible Design Pocket Guide / 11B-403.5.1 Clear width
Anna Maria | about 9 hours ago (edited)
Thank you for pointing that out. That's an important distinction, especially in California where interpretations can vary between jurisdictions. The wording around aisles "serving elements on both sides" can definitely create confusion if it's applied to merchandising layouts rather than occupant load and egress flow associated with main aisles receiving traffic from feeder or range aisles.
I also appreciate the reminder that accessibility and code compliance often depend on AHJ interpretation, so verifying early in the design process is essential to avoid costly layout revisions later. The comparison to black moon lilith calculator is fitting in the sense that small details can have significant downstream impacts, but in this case, confirming the technical intent of the astrological language with the AHJ is the key takeaway.
Related Keywords
Related Section Numbers
- 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design Pocket Guide (1)
- 2019 California Standards for Accessible Design Guide (effective January 1, 2020 with July 1, 2021 amendments) (3)
- 2016 California Standards for Accessible Design Pocket Guide - Eff. Jan. 1, 2017 (3)
- 2013 California Standards for Accessible Design Pocket Guide (3)
Accurate: N/A (0 votes)
Helpful: N/A (0 votes)
Message 4 of 4