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Chapter 11A — HOUSING ACCESSIBILITY

Section 1115A

California Building Code (Title 24, Part 2) · 2019 edition · updated 2026-09-12 · California

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

1115A.1 General.

Exterior stairways serving buildings on a site containing covered multifamily dwelling units shall com- ply with this section.

1115A.2 Open risers.

Open risers are not permitted on exte- rior stairways.

Exceptions:

1. An opening of not more than 1 /2 inch (12.7 mm) may be permitted between the base of the riser and the tread.

2. Risers constructed of grating containing openings of not more than 1 /2 inch (12.7 mm) may be permitted.

1115A.3 Treads.

All tread surfaces shall be stable, firm and slip resistant, and shall comply with Section 1110A.3. Treads shall have smooth, rounded or chamfered exposed edges, and no abrupt edges at the nosing (lower front edge).

1115A.4 Nosing.

Nosing shall not project more than 1 1 /4 inches (31.8 mm) past the face of the riser below. Risers shall be sloped or the underside of the nosing shall have an angle not more than 30 degrees (0.52 rad) from the vertical. (See Figure 11A-6A).

1115A.5 Striping for the visually impaired.

Exterior stairs serving buildings on a site containing multifamily dwelling units shall have the upper approach and all treads marked by a stripe providing clear visual contrast.

The stripe shall be a minimum of 2 inches (50.8 mm) wide to a maximum of 4 inches (101.6 mm) wide placed parallel to, and not more than 1 inch (25.4 mm) from, the nose of the step or upper approach. The stripe shall extend the full width of the step or upper approach and shall be of material that is at least as slip resistant as the other treads of the stair. A painted stripe shall be acceptable. Grooves shall not be used to satisfy this requirement.

1115A.6 Exterior stairway handrails.

1115A.6.1 Where required. Stairways shall have hand- rails on each side. Intermediate handrails shall be located equidistant from the sides of the stairway and comply with Section 1012.9.

Exception: Stairways serving an individual dwelling unit may have one handrail, except that stairways open on one or both sides shall have handrails on the open side or sides.

1115A.6.2 Handrail configuration.

1115A.6.2.1 Handrail heights. The top of handrails shall be 34 to 38 inches (864 to 965 mm) above the nos- ing of the treads.

1115A.6.2.2 Handrail continuity. Handrails on all stairways shall be continuous within the full length of each stair flight. Inside handrails on switchback or dogleg stairs shall be continuous between stair flights.

1115A.6.2.3 Handrail extensions. At the top of stair flights, handrails shall extend a minimum of 12 inches (305 mm) horizontally above landings, beginning directly above the first riser nosing. Extensions shall return to a wall, guard, or the walking surface, or shall be continuous to the handrail of an adjacent stair flight.

Copyright © 2019 ICC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Accessed by Kevin Day (kevin.day@dgs.ca.gov), (California Building Standards Commission) Order Number #100735044 on Jul 24, 2019 03:54 PM (PDT) pursuant to License Agreement with ICC. No further reproduction or distribution authorized. Single user only, copying and networking prohibited. ANY UNAUTHORIZED REPRODUCTION OR DISTRIBUTION IS A VIOLATION OF THE FEDERAL COPYRIGHT ACT AND THE LICENSE AGREEMENT, AND SUBJECT TO CIVIL AND CRIMINAL PENALTIES THEREUNDER.

100735044

HOUSING ACCESSIBILITY

At the bottom of stair flights, handrails shall extend at the slope of the stair flight for a distance equal to one tread depth beyond the last riser nosing. Such exten- sion shall continue with 12 inches (305 mm) minimum horizontal extension, shall be continuous to the hand- rail of an adjacent stair flight, or shall return to a wall, guard, or the walking surface. Handrail horizontal extensions shall be in the same direction as the stair flights. (See Figures 11A-6A and 11A-6E.)

1115A.6.2.4 Handrail projections. Handrails project- ing from a wall shall have a space of 1 1 /2 inches (38.1 mm) minimum between the wall and the handrail.

Handrails may be located in a recess if the recess is a maximum of 3 inches (76.2 mm) deep and extends at least 18 inches (457 mm) above the top of the rail. Any wall or other surface adjacent to the handrail shall be free of sharp or abrasive elements. (See Figure 11A- 6B.)

1115A.6.2.5 Handrail gripping surfaces. Handrail gripping surfaces shall be continuous along their length, and shall not be obstructed along their tops or sides. The bottoms of handrail gripping surfaces shall not be obstructed for more than 20 percent of their length. When provided, horizontal projections shall occur 1 1 /2 inches (38.1 mm) minimum below the bottom of the handrail gripping surface. The distance between horizontal projections and the bottom of the gripping surface shall be permitted to be reduced by 1 /8 inch (3.2 mm) for each 1 /2 inch (12.7 mm) of additional handrail perimeter dimension that exceeds 4 inches (102 mm).

Handrail gripping surfaces and any surfaces adja- cent to them shall be free of sharp or abrasive ele- ments, and shall have rounded edges.

1115A.6.2.6 Cross section. Handrail gripping surfaces shall comply with this section, or the shape shall pro- vide equivalent gripping surface.

1. Circular cross section. Handrail gripping sur- faces with a circular cross section shall not be less than 1 1 /4 inches (31.75 mm) nor more than 2 inches (50.8 mm) in cross-sectional dimension.

2. Noncircular cross section. Handrail gripping surfaces with a noncircular cross section shall have a perimeter dimension of 4 inches (102 mm) minimum and 6 1 /4 inches (159 mm) maximum, and a cross-section dimension of 2 1 /4 inches (57 mm) maximum.

1115A.6.2.7 Fittings. Handrails shall not rotate within their fittings.

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▸Contents — California Building Code (Title 24, Part 2)
California Building Code (Title 24, Part 2)
  1. Chapter 2 — DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
  2. Appendix G — FLOOD-RESISTANT
  3. Appendix L — EARTHQUAKE RECORDING
  4. Appendix M — TSUNAMI-GENERATED
  5. Chapter 1 — SCOPE AND ADMINISTRATION
  6. Chapter 3 — OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION AND USE
  7. Chapter 4 — SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED
  8. Chapter 5 — GENERAL BUILDING HEIGHTS AND AREAS
  9. Chapter 6 — TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION
  10. Chapter 7 — FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
  11. Chapter 7A — MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION
  12. Chapter 8 — INTERIOR FINISHES
  13. Chapter 9 — FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY SYSTEMS
  14. Chapter 10 — MEANS OF EGRESS
  15. ▸Chapter 11A — HOUSING ACCESSIBILITY
    Overview
    1. Section 1101A
    2. Section 1102A
    3. Section 1103A
    4. Section 1104A
    5. Section 1105A
    6. Section 1106A
    7. Section 1107A
    8. Section 1108A
    9. Section 1109A
    10. Section 1110A
    11. Section 1111A
    12. Section 1112A
    13. Section 1113A
    14. Section 1114A
    15. Section 1115A
    16. Section 1116A
    17. Section 1117A
    18. Section 1118A
    19. Section 1119A
    20. Section 1120A
    21. Section 1121A
    22. Section 1122A
    23. Section 1123A
    24. Section 1124A
    25. Section 1125A
    26. Section 1126A
    27. Section 1127A
    28. Section 1128A
    29. Section 1129A
    30. Section 1130A
    31. Section 1131A
    32. Section 1132A
    33. Section 1133A
    34. Section 1134A
    35. Section 1135A
    36. Section 1136A
    37. Section 1137A
    38. Section 1138A
    39. Section 1139A
    40. Section 1140A
    41. Section 1141A
    42. Section 1142A
    43. Section 1143A
    44. Section 1144A
    45. Section 1145A
    46. Section 1146A
    47. Section 1147A
    48. Section 1148A
    49. Section 1149A
    50. Section 1150A
  16. Chapter 11B — ACCESSIBILITY TO PUBLIC BUILDINGS, PUBLIC ACCOMM…
  17. Chapter 12 — INTERIOR ENVIRONMENT
  18. Chapter 14 — EXTERIOR WALLS
  19. Chapter 15 — ROOF ASSEMBLIES AND ROOFTOP STRUCTURES
  20. Chapter 16 — STRUCTURAL DESIGN
  21. Chapter 16A — STRUCTURAL DESIGN
  22. Chapter 17 — SPECIAL INSPECTIONS AND TESTS
  23. Chapter 18 — SOILS AND FOUNDATIONS
  24. Chapter 19 — CONCRETE
  25. Chapter 20 — ALUMINUM
  26. Chapter 21 — MASONRY
  27. Chapter 22 — STEEL
  28. Chapter 23 — WOOD
  29. Chapter 24 — GLASS AND GLAZING
  30. Chapter 25 — GYPSUM BOARD, GYPSUM PANEL PRODUCTS AND PLASTER
  31. Chapter 26 — PLASTIC
  32. Chapter 27 — ELECTRICAL
  33. Chapter 28 — MECHANICAL SYSTEMS
  34. Chapter 30 — ELEVATORS AND CONVEYING SYSTEMS
  35. Chapter 31 — SPECIAL CONSTRUCTION
  36. Chapter 31B — PUBLIC POOLS
  37. Chapter 31C — RADIATION
  38. Chapter 31D — FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS
  39. Chapter 31F — MARINE OIL TERMINALS
  40. Chapter 32 — ENCROACHMENTS INTO THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY
  41. Chapter 33 — SAFEGUARDS DURING CONSTRUCTION
  42. Chapter 35 — REFERENCED STANDARDS
  43. Appendix A — EMPLOYEE QUALIFICATIONS
  44. Appendix B — BOARD OF APPEALS
  45. Appendix C — GROUP U – AGRICULTURAL BUILDINGS
  46. Appendix D — FIRE DISTRICTS
  47. Appendix F — RODENTPROOFING
  48. Appendix H — SIGNS
  49. Appendix I — PATIO COVERS
  50. Appendix J — GRADING
  51. Appendix K — GROUP R-3 AND GROUP R-3.1 OCCUPANCIES
  52. Appendix N — REPLICABLE BUILDINGS
  53. Appendix O — EMERGENCY HOUSING

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