What Changed? Your Simple Guide to the 2025 California Building Code Chapter 11B

Effective January 1, 2026

If you own or manage commercial buildings, public facilities, or public housing in California, there are important updates you need to know about. The 2025 California Building Code Chapter 11B includes changes that became effective on January 1, 2026.

This guide breaks down all the changes from 2022 to 2025 in simple, easy-to-understand language—with complete explanations so you don't have to search through the code yourself.

Complete List of 2025 11B CBC Section Changes

Here's the official list of every section that changed from 2022 to 2025:

Sections with Technical Requirement Changes

• 11B-705.1.2.5 Blended transitions

• 11B-809.10.6.1 Shower size (residential dwelling units with adaptable features)

• 11B-809.10.6.3 Shower clearance (residential dwelling units with adaptable features)

• 11B-902.2 Dining surfaces - Overlap (NEW SECTION)

Sections with Clarifications and Language Updates

• 11B-213.2 Toilet rooms and bathing rooms (Exception #5 removed)

• 11B-224 Transient lodging guest rooms, housing at a place of education

• 11B-228.3.2 Electric vehicle charging stations - Minimum number

• 11B-233.3.1.2.6.5 Public housing facility site impracticality

• 11B-603.6 Guest room toilet and bathing rooms

• 11B-806.2.3.1 Personal lift device floor space

• 11B-806.2.4.1 Vanity countertop space

• 11B-809.1 General (residential dwelling units)

• 11B-809.1.1 Door signal devices (NEW)

• 11B-809.1.2 Viewing devices (NEW)

• 11B-809.1.3 Washing machines and clothes dryers (NEW)

• 11B-809.6 Residential dwelling units with adaptable features

• 11B-809.8 Doors (residential dwelling units with adaptable features)

• 11B-809.8.1 Door thresholds

• 11B-809.8.2 Door opening force

• 11B-809.8.3 Door maneuvering clearance

• 11B-809.8.3.1 Floor or ground surface

• 11B-809.10 Bathrooms and powder rooms

When Does This Apply?

January 1, 2026 is the key date.

Any building permit application submitted on or after January 1, 2026 must comply with the 2025 code. If you submitted your application before the end of 2025, you're still under the 2022 code.

The Important Thing to Know: Most Changes Are Clarifications

The good news is that most of the 2025 updates simply make the code clearer and easier to understand. Only a few sections involve actual technical changes to measurements or requirements.

The Three Big Technical Changes You Need to Know

1. Blended Transitions at Curb Ramps (Section 11B-705.1.2.5)

This is one of the most significant changes in the 2025 code.

What are blended transitions? These are curb ramps without a level landing at the top—the ramp blends directly into the sidewalk.

What changed:

2022 Code: Detectable warning surfaces (those bumpy truncated dome strips) at blended transitions had to be 36 inches in width.

2025 Code: Detectable warning surfaces at blended transitions must be 36 inches in depth AND must extend across the entirety of the transition separating the walk or sidewalk from the vehicular way.

Why this matters: Instead of just a 36-inch-wide strip, you now need the detectable warnings to run the entire width of the blended transition and be 36 inches deep (measured perpendicular to the curb). This is a substantial change affecting how you design and install those yellow or red truncated dome warning surfaces.

Example: If your blended transition is 8 feet wide where the sidewalk meets the street, you need detectable warnings that are 8 feet wide and 36 inches deep.

2. Shower Clearance in Adaptable Housing Units (Section 11B-809.10.6.3)

If you're building public housing with adaptable features, pay close attention to this one.

What changed:

2022 Code: Showers in residential dwelling units with adaptable features needed a clear floor space that was 30 inches wide minimum.

2025 Code: Showers in these same units now need a clear floor space that is 36 inches wide minimum by 48 inches long minimum, measured from the control wall.

Why this matters: You need 6 additional inches of width and a specified 48-inch length in the clear floor space at the shower. The 2025 code also adds a figure showing exactly where this space needs to be positioned relative to the shower's control wall (the wall with the shower controls).

Related change - Section 11B-809.10.6.1 (Shower Size): This section was also amended to clarify the reference is only to shower size requirements. The 2022 code incorrectly included all requirements for fully accessible showers from Section 11B-608.1. The 2025 code removes this incorrect reference and provides specific requirements for adaptable dwelling unit showers.

3. Dining Surfaces Cannot Overlap Accessible Routes (Section 11B-902.2 - BRAND NEW)

This is completely new in the 2025 code and affects restaurants, cafeterias, and any facility with dining areas.

The new rule: The clear floor space required at dining surfaces (where wheelchair users sit) cannot overlap the accessible route (the path people use to walk through the dining area).

What this means in plain English: When someone in a wheelchair pulls up to a table, their wheelchair space cannot block the path that other customers or patrons use to walk through the restaurant or dining room.

Example: If you have a table next to a main walkway in your restaurant, you cannot count the walkway space as part of the required wheelchair clear floor space at the table. You need dedicated space at the table that doesn't interfere with the walking path.

Terminology Updates (No Change to What You Build)

"Bathroom" Replaces "Toilet and Bathing Room" (Section 11B-809.10)

Throughout Chapter 11B, the code now uses the word "bathroom" instead of the longer phrase "toilet and bathing room."

Why it matters: It doesn't change what you have to build—it just makes the code easier to read and more consistent with everyday language.

Where it shows up:

• Definition of multi-bedroom housing units

• Section 11B-809.10 (residential dwelling units with adaptable features)

• Various other sections throughout Chapter 11B

Clarifications for Hotels vs. Student Housing

The 2025 code makes clearer distinctions between transient lodging facilities (hotels, motels) and housing at places of education (college dorms, student housing).

Section 11B-224: Transient Lodging Guest Rooms, Housing at a Place of Education

What changed: Scoping requirements were amended to distinguish requirements for each type. DSA removed "dormitories" as an example of "similar transient lodging facilities" and added clarifying language "in transient lodging facilities" to make it clear which requirements apply where.

Section 11B-603.6: Guest Room Toilet and Bathing Rooms

What changed: Clarified this requirement is only applicable to transient lodging facilities, and not to housing at a place of education.

Why it matters: The requirements for bathrooms in residential dwelling units with adaptable features in housing at a place of education are required to comply with the Fair Housing Act, which provides greater accessibility to bathrooms in units that are not required to provide mobility features.

Translation: Hotels have different bathroom requirements than student housing because student housing follows Fair Housing Act standards.

Section 11B-806.2.3.1: Personal Lift Device Floor Space

What changed: Technical requirements for personal lift device clear floor space were amended to clarify the requirement is applicable to transient lodging only where the underside of the bed may be blocked.

What this means: Hotels must provide clearance under the bed for personal lift devices (equipment people use to transfer from wheelchairs to beds). This requirement does NOT apply to student housing.

Section 11B-806.2.4.1: Vanity Countertop Space

What changed: Added "bathrooms" to types of facilities in transient lodging and housing at a place of education where this requirement applies.

Why it matters: This requirement now clearly applies to both hotels AND student housing—unlike some other requirements that apply to only one type.

New Requirements for Public Housing Mobility Units

Important note: Public housing already moved from Chapter 11A to Chapter 11B back in the 2019 code cycle (effective July 2021). The 2025 updates include both clarifications and new requirements for public housing.

Section 11B-809.1.1: Door Signal Devices (BRAND NEW)

What was added: Requirements for signal devices on the primary entry door to a residential dwelling unit with mobility features in buildings with three or more dwelling units.

What you need to provide: Every primary entrance to a residential dwelling unit with mobility features must be provided with a door buzzer, bell, chime, or other similar audible and visual signaling device. The visual component must be visible from inside the unit.

Why this was added: For consistency with requirements for public housing units with adaptable features.

Section 11B-809.1.2: Viewing Devices (BRAND NEW)

What was added: Requirements for a lower viewing device (peephole) at the primary entry door to a residential dwelling unit with mobility features, if a viewing device is provided in other units at a standing height.

What this means: If you provide peepholes in your standard units, you must provide a lower peephole (typically at wheelchair-user height) in mobility-feature units.

Section 11B-809.1.3: Washing Machines and Clothes Dryers (BRAND NEW)

What was added: The requirement that washing machines and clothes dryers in units with mobility features shall be front loading and equivalent type as provided in comparable dwelling units without mobility features.

Translation: If you provide washers and dryers in your standard units, the ones in mobility units must be front-loading (not top-loading) and of similar quality/type.

Door Requirements for Public Housing Adaptable Units

Section 11B-809.6: Residential Dwelling Units with Adaptable Features

What changed: Removed the reference to "multifamily" from residential dwelling units with adaptable features.

Why: The term defines the unit, not the multifamily building—this just makes the language more precise.

Section 11B-809.8: Doors (General)

What changed: Amended for clarity and to remove conflicts with Section 11B-404.2. Moved existing exceptions to Section 11B-809.8.3.1.

Section 11B-809.8.1: Door Thresholds

What changed: Amended to clarify primary entry doors, required exit doors, and interior doors intended for user passage shall have thresholds of no more than ½ inch high (to comply with 11B-404.2.5).

Translation: All doors people actually use (not just closet doors, for example) need thresholds that are ½ inch maximum in height.

Section 11B-809.8.2: Door Opening Force

What changed: Added a pointer for door opening force to Section 11B-404.2.9 with an added exception.

What Section 11B-404.2.9 requires:

1. Interior hinged doors and gates: 5 pounds maximum

2. Sliding or folding doors: 5 pounds maximum

3. Required fire doors: The minimum opening force allowable by the appropriate administrative authority, not to exceed 15 pounds maximum

4. Exterior hinged doors: 5 pounds maximum

The Exception for Section 11B-809.8.2: The opening force for primary entry exterior doors and secondary exterior doors shall be 8.5 pounds maximum (instead of the 5 pounds normally required for exterior doors).

Why this matters: Doors in adaptable dwelling units must meet these specific opening force requirements, with a slightly relaxed standard (8.5 pounds instead of 5 pounds) for exterior entry doors to account for weather conditions and pressure differentials.

Section 11B-809.8.3: Door Maneuvering Clearance

What changed: Added language that clearances at doors shall extend the full width of the doorway including the required latch side or hinge side clearance.

Translation: The clear space you need for maneuvering at doors must extend across the entire doorway width, plus the extra clearance needed on the latch or hinge side—you can't cut it short.

Section 11B-809.8.3.1: Floor or Ground Surface

What changed: Added language to indicate floors or ground surfaces at required maneuvering clearances shall not have slopes exceeding 1:48 (about 2%). Provided clarity for interior doors within residential dwelling units with adaptable features. Moved existing exceptions from Section 11B-809.8 to this section.

Translation: The floor at door maneuvering areas must be essentially flat (no more than 2% slope). Existing exceptions that were previously scattered are now consolidated here.

Other Technical Clarifications

Section 11B-228.3.2: Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (EVCS) - Minimum Number

What changed: Provided clarity in the exceptions by separating the types of drivers and vehicles that are exempted—general public/individual EV driver versus fleet vehicles.

Why it matters: No technical change to what you build, but the requirements are now clearer for code users and enforcement officials about which EVCS are required to be accessible and which are exempt.

Section 11B-233.3.1.2.6.5: Public Housing Facility Site Impracticality - Additional Requirements

What changed: Added new introductory language relative to buildings without elevators and where site impracticality test numbers one, two, or three reduce the required number of residential dwelling units with adaptable features and requirements for the remaining dwelling units.

Translation: If you're working on a public housing project on a sloped site where full accessibility is challenging, this section now has clearer language about:

• What happens when site impracticality tests reduce the number of required adaptable units

• What features the remaining (non-adaptable) units must still provide

Removed Duplications

Section 11B-213.2: Toilet Rooms and Bathing Rooms (Exception #5)

What was removed: Repealed Exception #5 to eliminate duplicative language with the exception in Section 11B-603.6.

Why it matters: The same exception still exists in Section 11B-603.6, so nothing actually changed in terms of requirements—the code just eliminated unnecessary repetition.

Summary: What Do You Need to Focus On?

Here are the key action items based on the 2025 changes:

For New Construction and Alterations

✓ Blended transitions (11B-705.1.2.5): Detectable warnings must be 36 inches deep and extend the full width of the transition (not just 36 inches wide).

✓ Public housing showers (11B-809.10.6.3): Plan for 36 inches wide by 48 inches long clear floor space at showers in adaptable units (increased from 30 inches wide).

✓ Dining areas (11B-902.2): Ensure wheelchair clear floor space at tables doesn't overlap with accessible routes people use to walk through the space.

✓ Public housing mobility units: Provide door signal devices (audible and visual), lower viewing devices (if standard units have peepholes), and front-loading washers/dryers (if appliances are provided).

✓ Door opening forces in adaptable units: All doors must comply with Section 11B-404.2.9 (5 pounds for interior doors, 8.5 pounds maximum for primary exterior entry doors).

For Plan Review and Inspections

• Understand which requirements apply to hotels vs. student housing (Section 11B-224, 11B-603.6, 11B-806.2.3.1, 11B-806.2.4.1)

• Review updated door requirements for public housing units (Sections 11B-809.8 through 11B-809.8.3.1)

• Check new requirements for door signal devices, viewing devices, and front-loading washers/dryers in public housing mobility units (Sections 11B-809.1.1, 11B-809.1.2, 11B-809.1.3)

• Review updated site impracticality language for public housing (Section 11B-233.3.1.2.6.5)

• Verify door maneuvering clearances extend full width of doorway and have slopes not exceeding 1:48 (Section 11B-809.8.3 and 11B-809.8.3.1)

For Existing Buildings

If you're making alterations:

• Any blended transitions you modify must meet the new 2025 standard

• Showers in public housing adaptable units being altered need the larger clearance (36" x 48")

• Table layouts in dining areas being reconfigured should accommodate the non-overlap requirement

• Door opening forces must meet current standards if doors are being replaced or altered

Where to Find Official Information

Division of the State Architect (DSA):

• Access compliance resources: https://www.dgs.ca.gov/DSA/Resources/Access-Compliance-Reference-Materials

California Building Standards Commission:

• 2025 Chapter 11B changes: https://www.dgs.ca.gov/BSC/Resources/2025-Title-24-California-Code-Changes/2025-Part-2-Chapter-11B-Accessibility-to-Public-Buildings

The Bottom Line

The 2025 California Building Code Chapter 11B updates became effective January 1, 2026. Most changes are clarifications that make the code easier to use.

The key technical changes:

1. Blended transitions (11B-705.1.2.5) – 36 inches deep and full width of transition

2. Adaptable unit showers (11B-809.10.6.3) – 36" x 48" clearance (up from 30" wide)

3. Dining surfaces (11B-902.2) – Clear floor space can't overlap accessible routes (NEW)

4. Public housing mobility units – New requirements for door signals, viewing devices, and front-loading appliances

5. Door requirements for adaptable units – Updated opening forces, threshold heights, maneuvering clearances, and floor slope requirements

Important clarifications:

• Clear distinctions between hotel and student housing requirements

• Simplified terminology (bathroom vs. toilet and bathing room)

• Updated references for site impracticality and EVCS exceptions

Make sure any permit applications submitted after January 1, 2026 comply with these new requirements.

DISCLAIMER: The information provided in this post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult a qualified attorney or consultant for advice tailored to your situation.