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Chapter 11A — HOUSING ACCESSIBILITY

Section 1140A — ACCESSIBLE TELEPHONES

2025 California Building Code (Title 24, Part 2) · 2025 edition · updated 2026-07-29 · California

Italicized text is a California amendment to the model code, as printed in the official publication.

1140A.1 General.

When public telephones are provided, they shall comply with this section. On floors where public telephones are provided, at least one telephone shall be accessible. On any floor where two or more banks of multiple telephones are provided, at least one telephone in each bank shall be accessible.

1140A.2 Clear floor or ground space.

A clear floor or ground space at least 30 inches by 48 inches (762 mm by 1219 mm) that allows either a forward or parallel approach by a person using a wheelchair shall be provided at telephones. The clear floor or ground space shall comply with Section 1138A.1.4. Bases, enclosures and fixed seats shall not impede approaches to telephones by people who use wheelchairs. (See Figure 11A-11B.)

Clear floor or ground space for wheelchairs may be part of the knee space required under some objects.

1140A.3 Relationship of maneuvering clearances to wheelchair spaces.

One full unobstructed side of the clear floor or ground space for a wheelchair shall adjoin another wheelchair clear floor space. If a clear floor space is located in an alcove or otherwise confined on all or part of three sides, additional maneuvering clearances shall be provided. (See Section 1138A.1.4.)

1140A.4 Mounting height.

The highest operable part of the telephone shall be within the reach ranges specified in Section 1138A.3 (See Figure 11A-11B.)

1140A.5 Enclosures.

If telephone enclosures are provided, they shall comply with Sections 1140A.5.1 and 1140A.5.2. (See Figure 11A- 11B.)

1140A.5.1 Parallel approach. Where a parallel approach is provided, the distance from the edge of the telephone enclosure to the face of the telephone unit shall be 10 inches (254 mm) maximum.

1140A.5.2 Forward approach. Where a forward approach is provided, the counter may extend beyond the face of the telephone 20 inches (508 mm) maximum into the required clear floor or ground space and the enclosure may extend beyond the face of the tele- phone 24 inches (610 mm) maximum. If an additional 6 inches (152 mm) in width of clear floor space is provided, creating a clear floor space of 36 inches by 48 inches (914 mm by 1219 mm), the enclosure may extend more than 24 inches (610 mm) beyond the face of the telephone.

1140A.6 Equipment for hearing impaired people.

Telephones shall be equipped with a receiver that generates a magnetic field in the area of the receiver cap. A reasonable number of the public telephones provided, but always at least one on each floor or in each bank, whichever is more, in a building or facility, shall be equipped with a volume control. Such telephones shall be capable of providing a gain adjustable up to 20 dB minimum. For incremental volume control, at least one intermediate step of 12 dB of gain minimum shall be provided. An automatic reset shall also be provided. Public telephones with volume control shall be hearing aid compatible and shall be identified by a sign containing a depiction of a telephone handset with radiating sound waves. (See Figure 11A-11D.)

1140A.7 Text telephones (TTY).

If a total of four or more public pay telephones are provided at the interior and exterior of a site, and if at least one of the total number provided is located in an interior location, at least one interior public text telephone shall be provided. TTYs provided at a public pay telephone shall be permanently affixed within, or adjacent to, the telephone enclosure. Where an acoustic coupler is used, the telephone cord shall be sufficiently long to allow connection of the TTY and the telephone receiver.

1140A.7.1 Signage. Text telephones shall be identified by the International TTY symbol (see Figure 11A-11C). If a facility has a public text telephone, directional signage indicating the location of the nearest such telephone shall be placed adjacent to all banks of tele- phones that do not contain a text telephone. Such directional signage shall include the International TTY symbol. If a facility has no banks of telephones, the directional signage shall be provided at the entrance or in a building directory.

1140A.7.2 Height. When in use, the touch surface of TTY keypads shall be 34 inches (864 mm) minimum above the finish floor.

1140A.8 Controls.

Telephones shall have push-button controls where service for such equipment is available. Controls and operating mechanisms shall comply with Section 1138A.4.

1140A.9 Cord length.

The cord from the telephone to the handset shall be at least 29 inches (737 mm) long.

1140A.10 Telephone books.

If telephone books are provided, they shall be located in a position that complies with the reach ranges in Section 1138A.3.

1140A.11 Shelf.

Public pay telephones required to accommodate a portable TTY shall be equipped with a shelf and an electrical outlet within or adjacent to the telephone enclosure. The telephone handset shall be capable of being placed flush on the surface of the shelf. The shelf shall be capable of accommodating a TTY and shall have 6 inches (152 mm) minimum vertical clearance above the area where the TTY is to be placed.

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▸ Contents — 2025 California Building Code (Title 24, Part 2)
2025 California Building Code (Title 24, Part 2)
  1. Chapter 1 — ADMINISTRATION
  2. Chapter 2 — DEFINITIONS
  3. Chapter 3 — OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION AND USE
  4. Chapter 4 — SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON OCCUPANCY A…
  5. Chapter 5 — GENERAL BUILDING HEIGHTS AND AREAS
  6. Chapter 6 — TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION
  7. Chapter 7 — FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
  8. Chapter 7A — MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION METHODS FOR EXTERIOR W…
  9. Chapter 8 — INTERIOR FINISHES
  10. Chapter 9 — FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY SYSTEMS
  11. Chapter 10 — MEANS OF EGRESS
  12. Chapter 11 — RESERVED
  13. ▸ Chapter 11A — HOUSING ACCESSIBILITY
    Overview
    1. Section 1101A — APPLICATION
    2. Section 1102A — BUILDING ACCESSIBILITY
    3. Section 1103A — DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
    4. Section 1104A — COVERED MULTIFAMILY DWELLINGS
    5. Section 1105A — GARAGES, CARPORTS AND PARKING FACILITIES
    6. Section 1106A — SITE AND BUILDING CHARACTERISTICS
    7. Section 1107A — DEFINITIONS
    8. Section 1108A — GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ACCESSIBLE PARKING AN…
    9. Section 1109A — PARKING FACILITIES
    10. Section 1110A — EXTERIOR ACCESSIBLE ROUTES
    11. Section 1111A — CHANGES IN LEVEL ON ACCESSIBLE ROUTES
    12. Section 1112A — CURB RAMPS ON ACCESSIBLE ROUTES
    13. Section 1113A — WALKS AND SIDEWALKS ON ACCESSIBLE ROUTES
    14. Section 1114A — EXTERIOR RAMPS AND LANDINGS ON ACCESSIBLE ROUTES
    15. Section 1115A — EXTERIOR STAIRWAYS
    16. Section 1116A — HAZARDS ON ACCESSIBLE ROUTES
    17. Section 1117A — GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ACCESSIBLE ENTRANCES,…
    18. Section 1118A — EGRESS AND AREAS OF REFUGE
    19. Section 1119A — INTERIOR ACCESSIBLE ROUTES
    20. Section 1120A — RESERVED
    21. Section 1121A — CHANGES IN LEVEL ON ACCESSIBLE ROUTES
    22. Section 1122A — INTERIOR RAMPS AND LANDINGS ON ACCESSIBLE ROUTES
    23. Section 1123A — INTERIOR STAIRWAYS
    24. Section 1124A — ELEVATORS AND PLATFORM (WHEELCHAIR) LIFTS
    25. Section 1125A — HAZARDS ON ACCESSIBLE ROUTES
    26. Section 1126A — DOORS, GATES AND WINDOWS
    27. Section 1127A — COMMON USE FACILITIES
    28. Section 1128A — COVERED DWELLING UNITS
    29. Section 1129A — RESERVED
    30. Section 1130A — ACCESSIBLE ROUTE WITHIN COVERED MULTIFAMILY DW…
    31. Section 1131A — CHANGES IN LEVEL ON ACCESSIBLE ROUTES
    32. Section 1132A — DOORS
    33. Section 1133A — KITCHENS
    34. Section 1134A — BATHING AND TOILET FACILITIES
    35. Section 1135A — LAUNDRY ROOMS
    36. Section 1136A — ELECTRICAL RECEPTACLE, SWITCH AND CONTROL HEIG…
    37. Section 1137A — OTHER FEATURES AND FACILITIES
    38. Section 1138A — SPACE ALLOWANCES AND REACH RANGES
    39. Section 1139A — ACCESSIBLE DRINKING FOUNTAINS
    40. Section 1140A — ACCESSIBLE TELEPHONES
    41. Section 1141A — ACCESSIBLE SWIMMING POOLS
    42. Section 1142A — ELECTRICAL RECEPTACLE, SWITCH AND CONTROL HEIG…
    43. Section 1143A — SIGNAGE
    44. Section 1144A — RESERVED
    45. Section 1145A — RESERVED
    46. Section 1146A — RESERVED
    47. Section 1147A — RESERVED
    48. Section 1148A — RESERVED
    49. Section 1149A — RESERVED
    50. Section 1150A — SITE IMPRACTICALITY TESTS
  14. Chapter 11B — ACCESSIBILITY TO PUBLIC BUILDINGS, PUBLIC ACCOMM…
  15. Chapter 12 — INTERIOR ENVIRONMENT
  16. Chapter 13 — ENERGY EFFICIENCY
  17. Chapter 14 — EXTERIOR WALLS
  18. Chapter 15 — ROOF ASSEMBLIES AND ROOFTOP STRUCTURES
  19. Chapter 16 — STRUCTURAL DESIGN
  20. Chapter 16A — STRUCTURAL DESIGN
  21. Chapter 17 — SPECIAL INSPECTIONS AND TESTS
  22. Chapter 17A — SPECIAL INSPECTIONS AND TESTS
  23. Chapter 18 — SOILS AND FOUNDATIONS
  24. Chapter 18A — SOILS AND FOUNDATIONS
  25. Chapter 19 — CONCRETE
  26. Chapter 19A — CONCRETE
  27. Chapter 20 — ALUMINUM
  28. Chapter 21 — MASONRY
  29. Chapter 21A — MASONRY
  30. Chapter 22 — STEEL
  31. Chapter 22A — STEEL
  32. Chapter 23 — WOOD
  33. Chapter 24 — GLASS AND GLAZING
  34. Chapter 25 — GYPSUM PANEL PRODUCTS AND PLASTER
  35. Chapter 26 — PLASTIC
  36. Chapter 27 — ELECTRICAL
  37. Chapter 28 — MECHANICAL SYSTEMS
  38. Chapter 29 — PLUMBING SYSTEMS
  39. Chapter 30 — ELEVATORS AND CONVEYING SYSTEMS
  40. Chapter 31 — SPECIAL CONSTRUCTION
  41. Chapter 31A — SYSTEMS FOR WINDOW CLEANING OR EXTERIOR BUILDING…
  42. Chapter 31B — PUBLIC POOLS
  43. Chapter 31C — RADIATION
  44. Chapter 31D — FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS
  45. Chapter 31F — MARINE OIL TERMINALS
  46. Chapter 32 — ENCROACHMENTS INTO THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY
  47. Chapter 33 — SAFEGUARDS DURING CONSTRUCTION
  48. Chapter 34 — RESERVED
  49. Chapter 35 — REFERENCED STANDARDS
  50. Appendix A — EMPLOYEE QUALIFICATIONS
  51. Appendix B — BOARD OF APPEALS
  52. Appendix C — GROUP U—AGRICULTURAL BUILDINGS
  53. Appendix D — FIRE DISTRICTS
  54. Appendix E — RESERVED
  55. Appendix F — RODENTPROOFING
  56. Appendix G — FLOOD-RESISTANT CONSTRUCTION
  57. Appendix H — SIGNS
  58. Appendix I — PATIO COVERS
  59. Appendix J — GRADING
  60. Appendix K — GROUP R-3 AND GROUP R-3.1 OCCUPANCIES PROTECTED B…
  61. Appendix L — EARTHQUAKE RECORDING INSTRUMENTATION
  62. Appendix M — TSUNAMI-GENERATED FLOOD HAZARDS
  63. Appendix N — REPLICABLE BUILDINGS
  64. Appendix O — PERFORMANCE-BASED APPLICATION
  65. Appendix P — SLEEPING LOFTS
  66. Appendix Q — EMERGENCY HOUSING

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