Type B Accessible Units

Last updated April 1, 2025
By Ian Story

This article outlines the requirements for Type B accessible units.

Multifamily residential buildings with 4 or more units require at least some of the units to be “Type B” accessible. These are not fully accessible units, but they include features that make them more easily adaptable for an occupant who needs accessibility features.

The accessibility requirements are contained in ICC A117.1 Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities. Specifically, section 1104 contains the requirements for Type B units.

Requirements

• Mailboxes: designed for side reach range at 54 inches above floor (1104.1.2).
• Primary entrance on an accessible route (1104.3.1).
• Maneuvering clearances at primary entrance door (1104.5.1).
• Accessible route to all spaces and elements in the unit (except unfinished attics and basements and up to one raised or sunken room or unenclosed loft without plumbing) (1104.3.1).
• For the following items, provide clear space and install at a height that can be reached over obstructions per section 308, except that such elements in kitchens and bathrooms are exempt from this requirement if located over cabinets at 36″ max height and 25 1/2″ max depth (1104.9).
  • Lighting controls
  • Electrical switches
  • Receptacle outlets (except dedicated outlets. Also, if there are two or more outlets above kitchen counters, only one needs to meet the requirements, and there is an available exception for outlets in kitchen corners)
  • Electrical panels
  • Controls for security or intercom systems
• Provide clear floor space for washing machines and dryers. Use a parallel approach for top loading and either approach for front loading machines (1104.10.1).
• Bathrooms:
  • Powder rooms are exempt from bathroom requirements, provided they are not the only bathroom on the accessible level.
  • Provide wall reinforcement for future grab bars and shower seats.
  • Lavatory requirements (1104.11.3.1.1):
    • Parallel approach clear floor space centered on the lavatory (alternatively, provide a lavatory designed for front approach and make under-sink cabinetry removable).
  • Toilet requirements (1104.11.3.1.2):
    • Min. 48″ wide x 56″ deep clear space (increase to 66″ depth for front approach).
    • Centerline needs min. 16″ and max. 18″ clearance on one side.
    • A vanity can overlap the clear width, provided the vanity is max. 24″ deep and the remaining clear width is min. 33″.
  • Bathtub/shower requirements (1104.11.3.1.3):
    • For bathtubs with a parallel approach: 30″ wide x 60″ long clear space (may overlap with a forward-approach lavatory with knee and toe space), or 30″ wide x 48″ long if overlapping with a lavatory clear space perpendicular to the bathtub clear space.
    • For bathtubs with a forward approach: 60″ wide x 48″ deep clear space, which may overlap a toilet and lavatory along one side.
    • Minimum shower size (if shower is the only bathing facility): 36″ x 36″ (or 30″ x 44″), with 48″ x 30″ clear space measured from the control wall. The shower door assembly must be removable.
  • As an alternative, instead of designing all bathrooms to meet these requirements, one bathroom can be fully accessible (per 1103.11.3.2).
• Kitchens:
  • Min. 40″ clearance between counters / opposing walls / appliances for galley-style kitchens or L-shaped kitchens with an island. Increase to 60″ clearance for U-shaped kitchens (1104.12.1.1).
  • Sink (1104.12.2.1):
    • Parallel approach clear floor space centered on the sink (alternatively, provide a sink designed for front approach with knee and toe clearance and make under-sink cabinetry removable).
  • Dishwasher (1104.12.2.2):
    • Parallel or front approach clear floor space for the dishwasher in the open position.
  • Cooktops (1104.2.2.3):
    • Parallel approach clear floor space centered on the cooktop (alternatively, provide knee and toe clearance for a forward approach and insulate the underside of the cooktop).
  • Oven (1104.12.2.4):
    • Parallel or front approach clear floor space for the oven in the open position.
  • Refrigerator / Freezer (1104.12.2.5):
    • Option 1: parallel approach clear floor space, with centerline offset max. 24″ from centerline of appliance.
    • Option 2: forward approach clear floor space, with centerline offset max. 15″ from centerline of appliance.
  • Trash Compactor (1104.12.2.6):
    • Parallel or front approach clear space.

Definitions

The following defined terms apply for Type B units. These definitions are specific to Type B and may vary from the more general accessibility code definitions.

ACCESSIBLE ROUTE: A path comprised of walking surfaces (less than 1:20 slope), ramps, doorways, elevators, and platform lifts (notably omitting stairs or other vertical changes in elevation) that meets the following criteria (403.5):

• Minimum clear width of non-ramp surfaces is 36 inches (increase to 44 inches for an exterior route). The clear width can be reduced to a minimum of 32 inches for a length of 24 inches, provided the reductions are separated (by 48 inches for new construction, or by 36 inches for existing construction). The exterior clear width requirement is reduced to 36 inches within outdoor seating areas (503.5.1).
  • When making a 180 degree turn around a narrow object (for example, when navigating a ramp switchback), additional clear space is required during the turn. See 403.5.2 (and Type B modifications in 1104.4.1) for options.
  • At 90 degree turns, the full 36 inch clear width needs to be maintained (1104.4.1.4).
  • Long routes require passing space at max. 200 foot intervals (1104.4.1.5).
  • Handrails are not allowed to project into clear width (405.5)
• A single vertical step of up to 4 inches is allowed when accessing an exterior deck, balcony, or patio directly from the unit (1104.4.2).
• Doorways need a minimum clear width of 32 inches with the door in the open position (requires a 2′-10″ door panel for a typical swing door).
• Doorway thresholds are limited to 1/2″ rise (3/4″ rise at exterior doors), with beveled slopes (303 / 1104.5.2.2).
• The primary entry door needs to provide level surfaces each side with the following maneuvering clearances (404.2.3). Note that interior doors don’t need to provide maneuvering clearances.

Approach	Side	Depth	Latch Side Clearance
Front	Pull	60″	18″
Front	Push	48″	—
Hinge Side	Pull (option 1)	60″	36″
Hinge Side	Pull (option 2)	54″	42″
Hinge Side	Push	42″	22″ (hinge side)
Latch Side	Pull	48″	24″
Latch Side	Push	42″	24″
(Empty Opening)		48″	—

• Ramps (steeper than 1:20) have a maximum slope of 1:12 (in existing buildings, short ramp sections can have slopes of up to 1:8, see Table 405.2). The maximum cross slope is 1:48. Ramp surfaces need to be stable, firm, and slip resistant, with special specifications for carpet and max. 1/2″ gaps (section 302). Provide extended edges or edge barriers. The maximum rise for a single ramp section is 30 inches. Ramp landings are min. 60″ long, and min. 60″ square at turns. Ramps with greater than 6″ rise require handrails (all per section 405).
• Elevators per sections 407, 408, or 409 (w/ modifications per 1104.7).
• Platform lifts per section 410 (w/ modifications per 1104.8).

CLEAR FLOOR SPACE: An unobstructed area measuring 48 inches by 30 inches (1104.1.1).