11B-604 Water Closets and Toilet Compartments — 2025 California Building Code

11B- 604.1 General. Water closets and toilet compartments shall comply with Sections 11B- 604.2 through 11B- 604.8.

Exception: Water closets and toilet compartments for children's use shall be permitted to comply with Section 11B- 604.9.

11B- 604.2 Location. The water closet shall be positioned with a wall or partition to the rear and to one side. The centerline of the water closet shall be 17 inches ( 432 mm ) minimum to 18 inches ( 457 mm) maximum from the side wall or partition, except that the water closet shall be 17 inches ( 432 mm) minimum and 19 inches ( 483 mm) maximum from the side wall or partition in the ambulatory accessible toilet compartment specified in Section 11B- 604.8.2. Water closets shall be arranged for a left-hand or right-hand approach.

FIGURE 11B -604.2—WATER CLOSET LOCATION

11B- 604.3 Clearance. Clearances around water closets and in toilet compartments shall comply with Section 11B- 604.3.

11B- 604.3.1 Size. Clearance around a water closet shall be 60 inches ( 1524 mm) minimum measured perpendicular from the side wall and 56 inches ( 1422 mm) minimum measured perpendicular from the rear wall. A minimum 60 inches (1524 mm) wide and 48 inches (1219 mm) deep maneuvering space shall be provided in front of the water closet.

Exception: In residential dwelling units complying with Section 11B-233.3.1.1, maneuvering space in front of the water closet shall be a minimum 60 inches (1524 mm) wide and 36 inches (914 mm) deep.

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FIGURE 11B -604.3.1—SIZE OF CLEARANCE AT WATER CLOSETS

11B- 604.3.2 Overlap. The required clearance around the water closet shall be permitted to overlap the water closet, associated grab bars, dispensers, sanitary napkin disposal units, coat hooks, shelves, accessible routes, clear floor space and clearances required at other fixtures and the turning space. No other fixtures or obstructions shall be located within the required water closet clearance.

Exception: In residential dwelling units, a lavatory complying with Section 11B- 606 shall be permitted on the rear wall 26 inches (660 mm) minimum from the water closet centerline to allow for the installation of a grab bar where the clearance at the water closet is 66 inches ( 1676 mm) minimum measured perpendicular from the rear wall.

FIGURE 11B -604.3.2 (EXCEPTION)—OVERLAP OF WATER CLOSET CLEARANCE IN RESIDENTIAL DWELLING UNITS

11B- 604.4 Seats. The seat height of a water closet above the finish floor shall be 17 inches ( 432 mm) minimum and 19 inches ( 483 mm) maximum measured to the top of the seat. Seats shall not be sprung to return to a lifted position. Seats shall be 2 inches (51 mm) high maximum.

Exceptions:

1. Reserved.

2. In residential dwelling units, the height of water closets shall be permitted to be 15 inches ( 381 mm) minimum and 19 inches ( 483 mm) maximum above the finish floor measured to the top of the seat.

3. A 3-inch (76 mm) high seat shall be permitted only in alterations where the existing fixture is less than 15 inches (381 mm) high.

11B- 604.5 Grab bars. Grab bars for water closets shall comply with Section 11B- 609. Grab bars shall be provided on the side wall closest to the water closet and on the rear wall. Where separate grab bars are required on adjacent walls at a common mounting height, an L-shaped grab bar meeting the dimensional requirements of Sections 11B-604.5.1 and 11B-604.5.2 shall be permitted.

Exceptions:

1. Reserved.

2. In residential dwelling units, grab bars shall not be required to be installed in toilet or bathrooms provided that reinforcement has been installed in walls and located so as to permit the installation of grab bars complying with Section 11B- 604.5.

3. In detention or correction facilities, grab bars shall not be required to be installed in housing or holding cells that are specially designed without protrusions for purposes of suicide prevention.

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11B- 604.5.1 Side wall. The side wall grab bar shall be 42 inches ( 1067 mm) long minimum, located 12 inches (305 mm) maximum from the rear wall and extending 54 inches ( 1372 mm) minimum from the rear wall with the front end positioned 24 inches (610 mm) minimum in front of the water closet.

FIGURE 11B -604.5.1—SIDE WALL GRAB BAR AT WATER CLOSETS

11B- 604.5.2 Rear wall. The rear wall grab bar shall be 36 inches ( 914 mm) long minimum and extend from the centerline of the water closet 12 inches (305 mm) minimum on one side and 24 inches (610 mm) minimum on the other side.

Exceptions:

1. The rear grab bar shall be permitted to be 24 inches (610 mm) long minimum, centered on the water closet, where wall space does not permit a length of 36 inches ( 914 mm) minimum due to the location of a recessed fixture adjacent to the water closet.

2. Where an administrative authority requires flush controls for flush valves to be located in a position that conflicts with the location of the rear grab bar, then the rear grab bar shall be permitted to be split or shifted to the open side of the toilet area.

FIGURE 11B- 604.5.2—REAR WALL GRAB BAR AT WATER CLOSETS

11B- 604.6 Flush controls. Flush controls shall be hand operated or automatic. Hand operated flush controls shall comply with Section 11B- 309 except they shall be located 44 inches (1118 mm) maximum above the floor. Flush controls shall be located on the open side of the water closet except in ambulatory accessible compartments complying with Section 11B- 604.8.2.

11B- 604.7 Dispensers and disposal units. Toilet paper dispensers and sanitary napkin disposal units shall comply with Section 11B-604.7. Combination accessory units are not permitted to encroach into the space required by Section 11B-609.3.

11B-604.7.1 Dispensers. Toilet paper dispensers shall comply with Section 11B- 309.4 and shall be 7 inches ( 178 mm) minimum and 9 inches ( 229 mm) maximum in front of the water closet measured to the centerline of the dispenser. The outlet of the dispenser shall be below the grab bar, 19 inches (483 mm) minimum above the finish floor and shall not be located behind grab bars. Dispensers shall not be of a type that controls delivery or that does not allow continuous paper flow.

FIGURE 11B- 604.7 .1 —DISPENSER OUTLET LOCATION

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11B-604.7.2 Disposal units. Sanitary napkin disposal units, if provided, shall comply with Section 11B-309.4 and shall be wall mounted and located on the sidewall between the rear wall of the toilet and the toilet paper dispenser, adjacent to the toilet paper dispenser. The disposal unit shall be located below the grab bar with the opening of the disposal unit 19 inches minimum (483 mm) above the finish floor.

FIGURE 11B-604.7.2—DISPOSAL UNIT LOCATION

11B- 604.8 Toilet compartments. Wheelchair accessible toilet compartments shall meet the requirements of Sections 11B- 604.8.1 and 11B- 604.8.3. Compartments containing more than one plumbing fixture shall comply with Section 11B- 603. Ambulatory accessible compartments shall comply with Sections 11B- 604.8.2 and 11B- 604.8.3.

11B- 604.8.1 Wheelchair accessible compartments. Wheelchair accessible compartments shall comply with Section 11B- 604.8.1.

11B- 604.8.1.1 Size. Wheelchair accessible compartments shall be 60 inches ( 1524 mm) wide minimum measured perpendicular to the side wall, and 56 inches ( 1422 mm) deep minimum for wall hung water closets and 59 inches ( 1499 mm) deep minimum for floor mounted water closets measured perpendicular to the rear wall. Wheelchair accessible compartments shall additionally provide maneuvering space complying with Section 11B-604.8.1.1.1, 11B-604.8.1.1.2 or 11B-604.8.1.1.3, as applicable. Wheelchair accessible compartments for children’s use shall be 60 inches ( 1524 mm) wide minimum measured perpendicular to the side wall, and 59 inches ( 1499 mm) deep minimum for wall hung and floor mounted water closets measured perpendicular to the rear wall.

11B-604.8.1.1.1 Maneuvering space with in-swinging door. In a wheelchair accessible compartment with an in-swinging door, a minimum 60 inches (1524 mm) wide by 36 inches (914 mm) deep maneuvering space shall be provided in front of the clearance required in Section 11B-604.8.1.1. See Figures 11B-604.8.1.1.2 (b) and 11B-604.8.1.1.3 (b).

11B-604.8.1.1.2 Maneuvering space with side-opening door. In a wheelchair accessible compartment with a door located in the side wall or partition, either in-swinging or out-swinging, a minimum 60 inches (1524 mm) wide and 60 inches (1524 mm) deep maneuvering space shall be provided in front of the water closet. See Figure 11B-604.8.1.1.2.

FIGURE 11B-604.8.1.1.2 — MANEUVERING SPACE WITH SIDE-OPENING DOOR

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11B-604.8.1.1.3 Maneuvering space with end-opening door. In a wheelchair accessible compartment with a door located in the front wall or partition (facing the water closet), either in-swinging or out-swinging, a minimum 60 inches (1524 mm) wide and 48 inches (1219 mm) deep maneuvering space shall be provided in front of the water closet. See Figure 11B-604.8.1.1.3.

FIGURE 11B-604.8.1.1.3 — MANEUVERING SPACE WITH END-OPENING DOOR

11B- 604.8.1.2 Doors. Toilet compartment doors, including door hardware, shall comply with Section 11B- 404 except that if the approach is from the push side of the compartment door, clearance between the door side of the compartment and any obstruction shall be 48 inches (1219 mm) minimum measured perpendicular to the compartment door in its closed position. Doors shall be located in the front partition or in the side wall or partition farthest from the water closet. Where located in the front partition, the door opening shall be 4 inches ( 102 mm) maximum from the side wall or partition farthest from the water closet. Where located in the side wall or partition, the door opening shall be farthest from the water closet and shall be 54 inches (1372 mm) minimum from the rear wall. The door shall be self-closing and have a privacy latch. A door pull complying with Section 11B- 404.2.7 shall be placed on both sides of the door near the latch. Doors shall not swing into the clear floor space or clearance required for any fixture. Doors may swing into that portion of maneuvering space which does not overlap the clearance required at a water closet.

Exception: When located at the side of a toilet compartment, the toilet compartment door opening shall provide a clear width of 34 inches (864 mm) minimum.

FIGURE 11B- 604.8.1.2—WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE TOILET COMPARTMENT DOORS

11B- 604.8.1.3 Approach. Compartments shall be arranged for left-hand or right-hand approach to the water closet.

11B- 604.8.1.4 Toe clearance. At least one side partition shall provide a toe clearance of 9 inches ( 229 mm) minimum above the finish floor and 6 inches ( 152 mm) deep minimum beyond the compartment-side face of the partition, exclusive of partition

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support members. Partition components at toe clearances shall be smooth without sharp edges or abrasive surfaces. Compartments for children’s use shall provide a toe clearance of 12 inches (305 mm) minimum above the finish floor.

Exception: Toe clearance at the side partition is not required in a compartment greater than 66 inches ( 1676 mm) wide.

FIGURE 11B- 604.8.1.4—WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE TOILET COMPARTMENT TOE CLEARANCE

11B- 604.8.1.5 Grab bars. Grab bars shall comply with Section 11B- 609. A side-wall grab bar complying with Section 11B- 604.5.1 shall be provided and shall be located on the wall closest to the water closet. In addition, a rear-wall grab bar complying with Section 11B- 604.5.2 shall be provided. Where separate grab bars are required on adjacent walls at a common mounting height, an L-shaped grab bar meeting the dimensional requirements of Sections 11B-604.5.1 and 11B-604.5.2 shall be permitted.

11B- 604.8.2 Ambulatory accessible compartments. Ambulatory accessible compartments shall comply with Section 11B- 604.8.2.

11B- 604.8.2—AMBULATORY ACCESSIBLE TOILET COMPARTMENT

11B- 604.8.2.1 Size. Ambulatory accessible compartments shall have a depth of 60 inches ( 1524 mm) minimum and a width of 35 inches ( 889 mm) minimum and 37 inches (940 mm) maximum.

11B- 604.8.2.2 Doors. Toilet compartment doors, including door hardware, shall comply with Section 11B- 404, except that if the approach is to the latch side of the compartment door, clearance between the door side of the compartment and any obstruction shall be 44 inches (1118 mm) minimum. The door shall be self-closing and have a privacy latch. A door pull complying with Section 11B- 404.2.7 shall be placed on both sides of the door near the latch. Toilet compartment doors shall not swing into the minimum required compartment area.

11B- 604.8.2.3 Grab bars. Grab bars shall comply with Section 11B- 609. A side-wall grab bar complying with Section 11B- 604.5.1 shall be provided on both sides of the compartment.

11B- 604.8.3 Coat hooks and shelves. Coat hooks shall be located within one of the reach ranges specified in Section 11B- 308. Shelves shall be located 40 inches ( 1016 mm) minimum and 48 inches ( 1219 mm) maximum above the finish floor.

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11B- 604.9 Water closets and toilet compartments for children's use. Water closets and toilet compartments for children's use shall comply with Section 11B- 604.9. When the exception in Section 11B-604.1 is used, the suggested dimensions of Table 11B-604.9 for a single age group shall be applied consistently to the installation of a water closet and all associated components.

11B- 604.9.1 Location. The water closet shall be located with a wall or partition to the rear and to one side. The centerline of the water closet shall be 12 inches (305 mm) minimum and 18 inches ( 457 mm) maximum from the side wall or partition, except that the water closet shall be 17 inches ( 432 mm) minimum and 19 inches ( 483 mm) maximum from the side wall or partition in the ambulatory accessible toilet compartment specified in Section 11B- 604.8.2. Compartments shall be arranged for left-hand or right-hand approach to the water closet.

11B- 604.9.2 Clearance. Clearance around a water closet shall comply with Section 11B- 604.3.

11B- 604.9.3 Height. The height of water closets shall be 11 inches ( 279 mm) minimum and 17 inches ( 432 mm) maximum measured to the top of the seat. Seats shall not be sprung to return to a lifted position.

11B- 604.9.4 Grab bars. Grab bars for water closets shall comply with Section 11B- 604.5.

11B- 604.9.5 Flush controls. Flush controls shall be hand operated or automatic. Hand operated flush controls shall comply with Sections 11B- 309.2 and 11B- 309.4 and shall be installed 36 inches ( 914 mm) maximum above the finish floor. Flush controls shall be located on the open side of the water closet except in ambulatory accessible compartments complying with Section 11B- 604.8.2.

11B- 604.9.6 Dispensers. Toilet paper dispensers shall comply with Section 11B- 309.4 and shall be 7 inches ( 178 mm) minimum and 9 inches ( 229 mm) maximum in front of the water closet measured to the centerline of the dispenser. The outlet of the dispenser shall be 14 inches ( 356 mm) minimum and 19 inches ( 483 mm) maximum above the finish floor. There shall be a clearance of 1 1/2 inches (38 mm) minimum below the grab bar. Dispensers shall not be of a type that controls delivery or that does not allow continuous paper flow.

11B- 604.9.7 Toilet compartments. Toilet compartments shall comply with Section 11B- 604.8.