11B-203 General Exceptions — 2025 California Building Code
California Building Code (Title 24, Part 2) · 2025 edition · updated 2026-09-25 · California
CBSC: official editions, supplements and errata
Italicized text is a California amendment to the model code, as printed in the official publication.
Cite as: 2025 California Building Code (Title 24, Part 2) § 11B-203 · Effective January 1, 2026 · Official source: Building Standards Commission
11B- 203.1 General. Sites, buildings, facilities and elements are exempt from these requirements to the extent specified by 11B- 203 .
11B- 203.2 Construction sites. Structures and sites directly associated with the actual processes of construction, including but not limited to, scaffolding, bridging, materials hoists, materials storage and construction trailers shall not be required to comply with these requirements or to be on an accessible route. Portable toilet units provided for use exclusively by construction personnel on a construction site shall not be required to comply with Section 11B- 213 or to be on an accessible route.
11B- 203.3 Raised areas. Areas raised primarily for purposes of security, life safety or fire safety, including but not limited to observation or lookout galleries, prison guard towers, fire towers or life guard stands, shall not be required to comply with these requirements or to be on an accessible route.
11B- 203.4 Limited access spaces. Spaces not customarily occupied and accessed only by ladders, catwalks, crawl spaces or very narrow passageways shall not be required to comply with these requirements or to be on an accessible route.
11B- 203.5 Machinery spaces. Spaces frequented only by service personnel for maintenance, repair or occasional monitoring of equipment shall not be required to comply with these requirements or to be on an accessible route. Machinery spaces include, but are not limited to, elevator pits or elevator penthouses; mechanical, electrical or communications equipment rooms; piping or equipment catwalks; water or sewage treatment pump rooms and stations; electric substations and transformer vaults; and highway and tunnel utility facilities.
11B- 203.6 Single occupant structures. Single occupant structures accessed only by passageways below grade or elevated above standard curb height, including but not limited to, toll booths that are accessed only by underground tunnels, shall not be required to comply with these requirements or to be on an accessible route.
11B-10 2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE
ACCESSIBILITY TO PUBLIC BUILDINGS, PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS, COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS AND PUBLIC HOUSING
11B- 203.7 Detention and correctional facilities. In detention and correctional facilities, common use areas that are used only by inmates or detainees and security personnel and that do not serve holding cells or housing cells required to comply with Section 11B- 232, shall not be required to comply with these requirements or to be on an accessible route.
11B- 203.8 Residential facilities. In residential facilities, common use areas that do not serve residential dwelling units required to provide mobility features complying with Sections 11B- 809.2 through 11B- 809.4 or adaptable features complying with Sections 11B- 809.6 through 11B-809.12 shall not be required to comply with these requirements or to be on an accessible route.
11B- 203.9 Employee workstations. Employee workstations shall be on an accessible route complying with Division 4. Spaces and elements within employee workstations shall only be required to comply with Sections 11B-207.1, 11B-215.3, 11B-302, 11B-303, 11B- 308.1.1, 11B-308.1.2 and 11B-404.2.3 unless exempted by other parts of this code. Common use circulation paths within employee work- stations shall comply with Section 11B-206.2.8.
Exception: Receptacles, controls and switches that are an integral part of workstation furnishings, fixtures and equipment shall not be required to comply with Sections 11B-308.1.1 and 11B-308.1.2.
11B- 203.10 Raised refereeing, judging and scoring areas. Raised structures used solely for refereeing, judging or scoring a sport shall not be required to comply with these requirements or to be on an accessible route. An accessible route complying with Division 4 shall be provided to the ground- or floor-level entry points, where provided, of stairs, ladders or other means of reaching the raised elements or areas.
11B- 203.11 Water slides. Water slides shall not be required to comply with these requirements or to be on an accessible route. An accessible route complying with Division 4 shall be provided to the ground- or floor-level entry points, where provided, of stairs, ladders or other means of reaching the raised elements or areas.
11B- 203.12 Animal containment areas. Animal containment areas that are not for public use shall not be required to comply with these requirements or to be on an accessible route. Animal containment areas for public use shall be on an accessible route.
11B- 203.13 Raised boxing or wrestling rings. Raised boxing or wrestling rings shall not be required to comply with these requirements or to be on an accessible route. An accessible route complying with Division 4 shall be provided to the ground- or floor-level entry points, where provided, of stairs, ladders or other means of reaching the raised elements or areas.
11B- 203.14 Raised diving boards and diving platforms. Raised diving boards and diving platforms shall not be required to comply with these requirements or to be on an accessible route. An accessible route complying with Division 4 shall be provided to the ground- or floor-level entry points, where provided, of stairs, ladders or other means of reaching the raised elements or areas.
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