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Chapter 12 — INTERIOR ENVIRONMENT

Section 1210 — TOILET AND BATHROOM REQUIREMENTS

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.

[P] 1210.1 Required fixtures. The number and type of plumbing fixtures provided in any occupancy shall comply with the California Plumbing Code.

[P] 1210.2 Finish materials. Walls, floors and partitions in toilet and bathrooms shall comply with Sections 1210.2.1 through 1210.2.5.

[OSHPD 1, 2, 3 & 5] Facilities subject to OSHPD 1, 2, 3 & 5 shall also comply with Section 1224.4.11.

[OSHPD 4] Facilities subject to OSHPD 4 shall also comply with Section 1227.9.

[P] 1210.2.1 Floors and wall bases. In other than dwelling units, toilet, bathing and shower room floor finish materials shall have a smooth, hard, nonabsorbent surface. The intersections of such floors with walls shall have a smooth, hard, nonabsorbent vertical base that extends upward onto the walls not less than 4 inches (102 mm).

[P] 1210.2.2 Walls and partitions. Walls and partitions within 2 feet (610 mm) of service sinks, urinals and water closets shall have a smooth, hard, nonabsorbent surface, to a height of not less than 4 feet (1219 mm) above the floor, and except for structural elements, the materials used in such walls shall be of a type that is not adversely affected by moisture.

Exception: This section does not apply to the following buildings and spaces:

  1. Dwelling units and sleeping units.
  2. Toilet rooms that are not for use by the general public and that have not more than one water closet.

Accessories such as grab bars, towel bars, paper dispensers and soap dishes, provided on or within walls, shall be installed and sealed to protect structural elements from moisture.

1210.2.3 Adult changing table surround. Walls and partitions within 2 feet (610 mm) measured horizontally from each end of the adult changing table and to a height of not less than 72 inches (1829 mm) above the floor shall have a smooth, hard, nonabsorbent surface, and except for structural elements, the materials used in such walls shall be of a type that is not adversely affected by moisture.

[P] 1210.2.4 Showers. Shower compartments and walls above bathtubs with installed shower heads shall be finished with a smooth, nonabsorbent surface to a height not less than 72 inches (1829 mm) above the drain inlet.

[P] 1210.2.5 Waterproof joints. Built-in tubs with showers shall have waterproof joints between the tub and adjacent wall.

on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

INTERIOR ENVIRONMENT

[P] 1210.3 Privacy. Public restrooms shall be visually screened from outside entry or exit doorways to ensure user privacy within the restroom. This provision shall also apply where mirrors would compromise personal privacy. Privacy at water closets and urinals shall be provided in accordance with Sections 1210.3.1 and 1210.3.2.

Exception: Visual screening shall not be required for single-occupant toilet rooms with a lockable door.

[P] 1210.3.1 Water closet compartment. Each water closet utilized by the public or employees shall occupy a separate compartment with walls or partitions and a door enclosing the fixtures to ensure privacy.

Exceptions:

  1. Water closet compartments shall not be required in a single-occupant toilet room with a lockable door.
  2. Toilet rooms located in child day care facilities and containing two or more water closets shall be permitted to have one water closet without an enclosing compartment.
  3. This provision is not applicable to toilet areas located within Group I-3 occupancy housing areas.

[P] 1210.3.2 Urinal partitions. Each urinal utilized by the public or employees shall occupy a separate area with walls or partitions to provide privacy. The walls or partitions shall begin at a height not more than 12 inches (305 mm) from and extend not less than 60 inches (1524 mm) above the finished floor surface. The walls or partitions shall extend from the wall surface at each side of the urinal not less than 18 inches (457 mm) or to a point not less than 6 inches (152 mm) beyond the outermost front lip of the urinal measured from the finished backwall surface, whichever is greater.

Exceptions:

  1. Urinal partitions shall not be required in a single-occupant or family or assisted-use toilet room with a lockable door.
  2. Toilet rooms located in child day care facilities and containing two or more urinals shall be permitted to have one urinal without partitions.

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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
  14. Chapter 11B — ACCESSIBILITY TO PUBLIC BUILDINGS, PUBLIC ACCOMM…
  15. Chapter 12 — INTERIOR ENVIRONMENT
    Overview
    1. Section 1201 — GENERAL
    2. Section 1202 — VENTILATION
    3. Section 1203 — TEMPERATURE CONTROL
    4. Section 1204 — LIGHTING
    5. Section 1205 — YARDS OR COURTS
    6. Section 1206 — SOUND TRANSMISSION
    7. Section 1207 — ENHANCED CLASSROOM ACOUSTICS
    8. Section 1208 — INTERIOR SPACE DIMENSIONS
    9. Section 1209 — ACCESS TO UNOCCUPIED SPACES
    10. Section 1210 — TOILET AND BATHROOM REQUIREMENTS
    11. Section 1211 — UV GERMICIDAL IRRADIATION SYSTEMS
    12. Section 1212 — [HCD 1 & HCD 2]—GARAGE DOOR SPRINGS
    13. Section 1213 — [HCD 1]—POLLUTANT CONTROL
    14. Section 1214 — RESERVED
    15. Section 1215 — RESERVED
    16. Section 1216 — RESERVED
    17. Section 1217 — RESERVED
    18. Section 1218 — RESERVED
    19. Section 1219 — RESERVED
    20. Section 1220 — RESERVED
    21. Section 1221 — RESERVED
    22. Section 1222 — RESERVED
    23. Section 1223 — RESERVED
    24. Section 1224 — [OSHPD 1]—HOSPITALS
    25. Section 1225 — [OSHPD 2]-SKILLED NURSING AND INTERMEDIATE-CARE…
    26. Section 1226 — [OSHPD 3]-CLINICS
    27. Section 1227 — [OSHPD 4]-CORRECTIONAL TREATMENT CENTERS
    28. Section 1228 — [OSHPD 5]—ACUTE PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALS
    29. Section 1229 — [OSHPD 6] — CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY RECOVERY HOSPIT…
    30. Section 1230 — [BSCC] — MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR JUVENILE FACILIT…
    31. Section 1231 — [BSCC] — LOCAL DETENTION
    32. Section 1232 — RESERVED
    33. Section 1233 — RESERVED
    34. Section 1234 — RESERVED
    35. Section 1235 — [DPH]—SANITARY CONTROL OF SHELLFISH (PLANTS AND…
    36. Section 1236 — [DPH]—LABORATORY ANIMAL QUARTERS
    37. Section 1237 — [DPH]—WILD ANIMAL QUARANTINE FACILITIES
    38. Section 1238 — RESERVED
    39. Section 1239 — RESERVED
    40. Section 1240 — [AGR]—MEAT AND POULTRY PROCESSING PLANTS
    41. Section 1241 — [AGR]—COLLECTION CENTERS AND FACILITIES
    42. Section 1242 — [AGR]—RENDERERS
    43. Section 1243 — [AGR]—HORSEMEAT AND PET FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS
    44. Section 1244 — RESERVED
    45. Section 1245 — RESERVED
    46. Section 1246 — RESERVED
    47. Section 1247 — RESERVED
    48. Section 1248 — RESERVED
    49. Section 1249 — RESERVED
    50. Section 1250 — [CA]—PHARMACIES
    51. Section 1251 — [CA]—VETERINARY PREMISES
    52. Section 1252 — [CA]—BARBER COLLEGES AND SHOPS
    53. Section 1253 — [CA]—SCHOOLS OF COSMETOLOGY, COSMETOLOGICAL EST…
    54. Section 1254 — [CA]—ACUPUNCTURE OFFICES
  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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