SF Permits MCP Server

{ "metadata": { "title": "ADA/Accessibility Path-of-Travel Requirements", "source": "SF DBI DA-series Info Sheets + CBC Chapter 11B (2022) + DSA IR 11B-10", "source_urls": [ "https://www.sf.gov/accessibility-requirements-in-san-francisco", "https://up.codes/viewer/san_francisco/ca-building-code-2022/chapter/11B/", "https://www.dgs.ca.gov/-/media/Divisions/DSA/Publications/interpretations_of_regs/IR_11B-10.pdf", "https://sf.gov/resource/2022/information-sheets-dbi" ], "last_verified": "2026-02-14", "confidence": "high" }, "context": "California accessibility requirements (CBC Chapter 11B) often EXCEED federal ADA requirements. SF enforces CBC Chapter 11B through DBI plan review. Both state and federal requirements must be met — the more restrictive applies.", "valuation_threshold": { "current_amount": 203611.00, "effective_date": "2025-01-28", "source": "DSA Access Compliance Reference Materials (updated annually based on ENR 20 Cities Construction Cost Index)", "note": "This threshold changes annually. Tools should check current value. The threshold determines whether full path-of-travel compliance is required or limited to 20% of construction cost.", "history": [ {"year": 2025, "amount": 203611, "effective": "2025-01-28"}, {"year": 2024, "amount": 200399, "effective": "2024-01-01"}, {"year": 2023, "amount": 195358, "effective": "2023-07-01"}, {"year": 2022, "amount": 186172, "effective": "2022-01-01"}, {"year": 2021, "amount": 172418, "effective": "2021-01-01"} ], "base_year_note": "Based on January 1981 threshold of $50,000, adjusted annually per ENR Construction Cost Index" }, "core_logic": { "trigger": "Any alteration, addition, or structural repair to an existing building or facility used as public building, public accommodation, commercial building, or public housing", "requirement": "Provide accessible path of travel to the specific area of alteration or addition", "path_of_travel_elements": [ "1. Primary entrance to the building (highest priority)", "2. Toilet and bathing facilities serving the area", "3. Drinking fountains serving the area", "4. Public telephones serving the area (if any)", "5. Signage", "6. Route from entrance to altered area" ], "cost_tiers": { "below_threshold": { "condition": "Adjusted construction cost <= valuation threshold (currently $195,358)", "rule": "Path-of-travel compliance limited to 20% of adjusted construction cost", "if_20pct_insufficient": "Comply to greatest extent possible without exceeding 20%. Prioritize elements in order listed above.", "documentation": "DA-02 Checklist Form C — itemize accessibility upgrades. Total should be as close to 20% as possible." }, "above_threshold": { "condition": "Adjusted construction cost > valuation threshold", "rule": "FULL path-of-travel compliance required to current CBC edition", "exception": "If enforcing agency determines full compliance creates unreasonable hardship, equivalent facilitation or compliance to greatest extent possible. But NEVER less than 20% of construction cost.", "documentation": "DA-02 Checklist with unreasonable hardship request if applicable" } }, "adjusted_construction_cost_includes": [ "Labor, materials, equipment, services", "Utilities, contractor financing, overhead and profit", "Construction management costs", "All altered elements including entrance, drinking fountains, signs if in area of alteration" ], "adjusted_construction_cost_excludes": [ "Project management fees and expenses", "Architectural and engineering fees", "Testing and inspection fees", "Utility connection or service district fees", "Cost of path-of-travel upgrades themselves (don't count accessibility work toward the threshold)" ] }, "special_cases": { "buildings_without_elevators": { "code_section": "CBC 11B-202.4 Exception 9", "rule": "Previously approved buildings without elevators: areas above/below ground floor subject to 20% rule EVEN IF project exceeds valuation threshold", "applies_to": ["Office buildings 3+ stories, 3000+ sqft/floor", "Physician offices", "Shopping centers", "Other buildings 3+ stories, 3000+ sqft/floor with public services on accessible level"] }, "change_of_use": { "info_sheet": "DA-13", "source": "DBI-IS-DA13 Change of Use Path of Travel (Revised 01/07/2019)", "rule": "A change of use or occupancy classification constitutes an ALTERATION for accessibility purposes. The entire area changing use must comply with current CBC 11B accessibility requirements.", "occupancy_vs_use_distinction": "DA-13 distinguishes between occupancy change (e.g., Group B to Group A-2) and use change (e.g., office to restaurant within same group). BOTH trigger path-of-travel obligations, but an occupancy classification change has additional CBC implications beyond accessibility (fire, egress, structural).", "common_scenario": "Office-to-restaurant conversion, warehouse-to-retail, commercial-to-residential", "legal_basis": { "cbc_section": "CBC 11B-202.4", "principle": "A change of use in an existing building is an ALTERATION — the ENTIRE area of the changed-use portion must be made accessible to current code", "scope": "The path-of-travel obligation extends from the public way through the primary entrance to the changed-use area, plus restrooms, drinking fountains, phones, and signage serving that area" }, "cost_determination": { "when_construction_accompanies_cou": { "rule": "Use the actual construction cost for the 20% path-of-travel calculation", "example": "Office-to-restaurant TI costing $200,000 → 20% = $40,000 max accessibility spend (if below valuation threshold)" }, "when_cou_is_paperwork_only": { "rule": "If the change of use involves NO construction (just a permit to change occupancy classification), the permit fee is $1. Apply 20% to $1 = $0.20 — essentially zero accessibility spend required.", "important": "This exception applies ONLY when there is absolutely no physical construction associated with the change of use", "practical_note": "Rare in practice — most COU projects involve at least some construction" } }, "exception_2_path_of_travel_elements": { "description": "Exception #2 to CBC 11B-202.4 lists specific path-of-travel requirements that must be addressed in priority order when the 20% disproportionate cost cap applies", "elements": [ "1. An accessible entrance to the building from the site arrival point", "2. An accessible route from the entrance to the changed-use area", "3. At least one accessible restroom for each sex (or unisex)", "4. Accessible telephones (if provided)", "5. Accessible drinking fountains (if provided)" ], "specific_standards": { "lavatory": "28-inch minimum knee clearance under lavatory per CBC 11B-606", "van_accessible_parking": "Ratio of van-accessible spaces changes from 1-in-6 to 1-in-8 under current code", "signage": "Tactile + braille room signs at 48-60 inches AFF" } }, "key_distinctions": { "cou_with_construction": "Path-of-travel obligation based on actual construction cost — use standard 20% / threshold rules", "cou_without_construction": "Path-of-travel obligation technically applies but 20% of $1 = negligible", "partial_cou": "If only part of a building changes use, only that portion triggers path-of-travel (but path from entrance to that area must be accessible)" } }, "seismic_mitigation": { "info_sheet": "DA-12", "source": "DBI-IS-DA12 Seismic Path of Travel (Revised 01/07/2019)", "rule": "Seismic retrofit projects trigger path-of-travel obligations for the COMMERCIAL portions of mixed-use buildings. Residential portions are NOT subject to Chapter 11B accessibility.", "common_scenario": "Soft story retrofit in mixed-use building triggers accessibility upgrades for commercial ground floor", "scope_determination": { "chapter_11B_applies_to": "Public buildings, public accommodations, commercial buildings, and public housing", "chapter_11B_does_NOT_apply_to": "Privately funded residential dwelling units (apartments, condos) and their common areas when purely residential", "mixed_use_rule": "In mixed-use buildings (ground-floor commercial + upper residential), only the commercial portion triggers Chapter 11B path-of-travel" }, "adjusted_cost_formula": { "step_1": "Determine percentage of total building floor area used for commercial purposes", "step_2": "Multiply total construction cost by that percentage to get adjusted construction cost", "step_3": "Apply 20% of adjusted cost as maximum accessibility spend (or full compliance if adjusted cost exceeds valuation threshold)", "formula": "Adjusted Cost = (% Commercial Floor Area / Total Floor Area) × Total Construction Cost", "example": { "building": "4-story mixed-use: ground floor 2,000 sqft commercial + 3 upper floors 6,000 sqft residential = 8,000 sqft total", "commercial_percentage": "2,000 / 8,000 = 25%", "total_construction_cost": "$100,000 (seismic retrofit)", "adjusted_construction_cost": "$100,000 × 25% = $25,000", "accessibility_budget": "$25,000 × 20% = $5,000 maximum for path-of-travel upgrades", "applies_to": "Path of travel from public way to commercial tenant space only" } }, "path_of_travel_elements_priority": [ "1. An accessible entrance from the public way to the commercial space", "2. An accessible route from the entrance to the commercial area", "3. Accessible restrooms serving the commercial area (if any)", "4. Accessible telephones serving the commercial area (if any)", "5. Accessible drinking fountains serving the commercial area (if any)" ], "da_checklist_requirement": "DA-02 Checklist Form C must be completed showing itemized accessibility upgrades for the commercial portion. Total should approach 20% of adjusted construction cost.", "key_distinctions": { "purely_residential_seismic": "No Chapter 11B path-of-travel obligation — accessibility per CBC Chapter 11A (limited residential requirements)", "purely_commercial_seismic": "Full Chapter 11B path-of-travel obligation based on total construction cost", "mixed_use_seismic": "Chapter 11B obligation ONLY for commercial portion, using adjusted cost formula" } }, "historic_buildings": { "code_section": "CBC 11B-202.4 Exception (historic)", "rule": "Alterations to qualified historic buildings shall comply with State Historical Building Code (Part 8, Title 24)", "note": "More flexible requirements but still requires accessibility improvements" }, "ev_charging": { "code_section": "CBC 11B-202.4", "rule": "EVCS installation at primary vehicle facilities: path-of-travel to max extent feasible without exceeding 20%. At non-primary vehicle facilities: no path-of-travel requirement." } }, "common_corrections": [ { "id": "ADA-C01", "description": "No DA-02 checklist submitted with permit application", "frequency": "Very high — most common accessibility correction", "fix": "Submit DA-02 Disabled Access Upgrade Compliance Checklist Package with initial application for any commercial alteration." }, { "id": "ADA-C02", "description": "Path-of-travel not shown on plans", "frequency": "High", "fix": "Plans must show the accessible route from primary entrance to area of alteration, including all intermediate elements (doors, corridors, ramps, elevators)." }, { "id": "ADA-C03", "description": "Existing conditions not surveyed — plans say 'existing accessible' without verification", "frequency": "High — most common professional failing per DSA", "fix": "Design professionals must survey and document ACTUAL existing conditions, not assume compliance. Note specific dimensions of doors, clearances, slopes, restroom layouts." }, { "id": "ADA-C04", "description": "Door widths, clearances, or hardware non-compliant", "frequency": "Medium-high", "fix": "Doors: 32-inch clear width minimum. Maneuvering clearance per CBC 11B-404.2.4. Hardware: operable with one hand, no tight grasping/twisting. Maximum 5 lbs opening force (interior)." }, { "id": "ADA-C05", "description": "Restroom non-compliant (turning radius, grab bars, fixture heights)", "frequency": "Medium-high", "fix": "60-inch turning radius (or T-turn). Grab bars per CBC 11B-604. Toilet centerline 16-18 inches from side wall. Lavatory knee clearance." }, { "id": "ADA-C06", "description": "Ramp slope exceeds maximum", "frequency": "Medium", "fix": "Maximum ramp slope 1:12 (8.33%). Landings at top and bottom, and every 30 inches of rise. Handrails both sides." }, { "id": "ADA-C07", "description": "Construction cost not properly calculated for threshold determination", "frequency": "Medium", "fix": "Adjusted construction cost must include ALL construction costs (labor, materials, equipment, profit) but exclude A&E fees, testing, utility fees, and the accessibility work itself." }, { "id": "ADA-C08", "description": "CASp inspection not considered", "frequency": "Low-medium but high value", "fix": "Certified Access Specialist (CASp) inspection provides legal benefits and identifies issues early. SF offers reimbursement grants via Office of Small Business." } ], "da02_form_structure": { "source": "DBI-IS-DA02 Disabled Access Upgrade Compliance Checklist Package", "overview": "The DA-02 package is required for ALL commercial/public building alterations. It has 3 sections that must be completed by the design professional.", "form_a": { "title": "Building Description", "fields": [ "Building use/occupancy type", "Total building square footage", "Area of alteration square footage", "Number of stories", "Year built", "Previous accessibility upgrades (if any)" ] }, "form_b": { "title": "Scope of Work and Compliance Path", "compliance_paths": [ { "path": "Full compliance", "condition": "Construction cost exceeds valuation threshold OR voluntary full compliance", "documentation": "Show full CBC 11B compliance for path of travel to area of alteration" }, { "path": "20% disproportionate cost", "condition": "Construction cost at or below valuation threshold", "documentation": "Itemize accessibility upgrades on Form C. Total should approach 20% of construction cost. Prioritize elements in order: entrance, restrooms, fountains, phones, signage, route." }, { "path": "Unreasonable hardship", "condition": "Full compliance creates unreasonable hardship (rare — requires enforcing agency determination)", "documentation": "Written request with justification. Never less than 20% of construction cost." }, { "path": "Historic building exception", "condition": "Qualified historic building under State Historical Building Code (Part 8, Title 24)", "documentation": "Comply with State Historical Building Code accessibility provisions." } ] }, "form_c": { "title": "Accessibility Compliance Checklist", "description": "Detailed CBC 11B checklist organized by building element. Design professional checks applicable items and notes existing conditions vs proposed upgrades.", "checklist_categories": [ { "category": "Site Arrival", "items": ["Accessible parking spaces", "Passenger loading zones", "Curb ramps at street crossings"], "common_deficiency": "Insufficient accessible parking (1 per 25 spaces first 100, then 1 per 50)" }, { "category": "Exterior Route", "items": ["Walks and sidewalks (min 48\" wide)", "Curb ramps", "Ramps (max 1:12 slope)", "Handrails"], "common_deficiency": "Excessive cross-slope on exterior walkways (max 1:48)" }, { "category": "Entrance/Exit", "items": ["Door width (min 32\" clear)", "Door hardware (lever, no twist/grasp)", "Thresholds (max 1/2\")", "Maneuvering clearance per CBC 11B-404.2.4", "Door opening force (max 5 lbs interior)"], "common_deficiency": "Door hardware requiring tight grasping or twisting — must be lever or push/pull type" }, { "category": "Interior Route", "items": ["Corridors (min 44\" wide)", "Protruding objects (max 4\" into path above 27\")", "Floor surfaces (firm, stable, slip-resistant)", "Changes in level"], "common_deficiency": "Protruding wall-mounted objects (fire extinguishers, signage) not detected" }, { "category": "Vertical Access", "items": ["Elevators", "Platform lifts", "Stairways (handrails, nosings, tactile warnings)"], "common_deficiency": "Elevator does not meet CBC 11B-407 requirements for call buttons and cab size" }, { "category": "Restrooms", "items": ["60\" turning radius (or T-turn)", "Grab bars per CBC 11B-604", "Toilet centerline 16-18\" from side wall", "Lavatory knee clearance", "Mirror max 40\" above floor", "Accessible hardware on all doors/dispensers"], "common_deficiency": "Toilet centerline not 16-18 inches from side wall — most common restroom correction" }, { "category": "Special Occupancy Features", "items": ["Service counters (max 36\" high, min 36\" wide)", "Sales and service areas", "Assembly seating (wheelchair spaces, companion seats, lines of sight)", "Dressing rooms"], "common_deficiency": "Service counter too high — must provide 36\" max height section at least 36\" wide" }, { "category": "Signage", "items": ["Room identification signs (tactile + braille, 48-60\" AFF)", "Directional signs", "International Symbol of Accessibility", "Emergency exit signs"], "common_deficiency": "Tactile room signs not at correct height (48-60 inches above floor) or missing braille" } ] } }, "casp_information": { "what": "Certified Access Specialist inspection — third-party accessibility audit", "benefit": "Legal protection if accessibility claim arises. Early issue identification. May qualify for SF Accessible Barrier Removal Grant.", "find_inspector": "CA Division of State Architect list: https://www.dgs.ca.gov/DSA/Resources", "sf_grants": "Office of Small Business — Accessible Barrier Removal Grant can reimburse CASp inspection and improvements" } }