Big picture: which rules matter? For California commercial and public projects, plan check and inspections are governed by CBC Chapter 11B. At the same time, Titles II and III of the ADA apply as separate civil‑rights laws, so you have to satisfy both CBC and ADA—whichever is stricter in a given situation. In practice, this means you ask two questions on every multistory building: Does CBC 11B require an elevator (or other accessible vertical access)? Even if the ADA “elevato

A Simple Explanation of ADA Slope Rules If you work in construction or design, you’ve probably heard both numbers for “max slope” on an accessible surface: 2.0% 2.08% (which is the same as a 1:48 slope) It sounds confusing: if the “old ADA” was always talked about as 2.0%, why do the 2010 ADA Standards and California’s CBC Chapter 11B allow a slope that works out to about 2.08%? Let’s break it down in plain language. First, what do the current rules actually say? Both the 201

Navigating the Gray Areas: When Barrier Removal is NOT "Readily Achievable" When you are served with an ADA lawsuit, the immediate reaction is often to start tearing up concrete and widening doors. But as a Certified Access Specialist (CASp) and expert witness, I frequently evaluate conditions where strict compliance simply isn't feasible. Federal law requires "readily achievable barrier removal"—modifications that are easily accomplishable without much difficulty or expense.

When we inspect a facility, we have to look at these two terms through very different lenses: 1. The Accessible Route (The Physical Path) An accessible route is the actual, physical pathway that connects accessible spaces. According to both 2025 CBC 11B-402.2 and 2010 ADA 402.2 , this route can only consist of walking surfaces, doorways, ramps, curb ramps, elevators, and platform lifts. Notice what's missing? Stairs. Stairs are never classified as an accessible route compo