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ADUs, Accessibility & Universal Design

While Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance isn’t something that is required for residences (which includes ADUs), there are a number of ways to design and build accessory dwelling units that can allow for greater accessibility, visitability, and use by all people. Here at the Napa Sonoma ADU Center we strongly encourage ALL homeowners to consider building your ADU with accessibility and Universal Design elements in mind.

Why build an accessible accessory dwelling unit?

Since one of the most attractive elements of an ADU for most homeowners is their flexibility for different uses over time, we highly recommend that when building a new ADU you consider the possibility that you may want to live in your ADU when you retire in order to age in place (which means the possibility of needing a home accessible to a wheelchair, a person with lower or no visibility, etc.) Or, in the future you may want to house a friend, family member, or tenant who needs to live in an accessible home. Or you may simply want to ensure your home is accessible to all visitors!

It is significantly more affordable to build your ADU with accessibility in mind from Square 1 versus having to go back in and make renovations later on to, e.g., widen doorways for wheelchair access, lower countertops, lower light switches, build a ground-floor bathroom and bedroom, or replace stairs with ramps.

What does “accessible” and “Universal Design” mean?

If you’re curious to learn more about what an accessible home means, the California State Department of Housing & Community Development has some resources about accessibility, and a sample ordinance for jurisdictions who are hoping to codify some of these benefits at this link

They also provide some samples of design requirements that could be used in a “Universal Design Checklist,” which is included below. “Universal Design” means “design that’s usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design.” (Learn more here.) For an additional resource about designing your ADU, check out our blog post on Key ADU Design Tips and our ADU Design Resources Round-Up.

Inspiration for ADUs built with accessibility or Universal Design elements

If you’re curious about seeing some real, affordable, and beautiful off-the-shelf ADU plans that take into consideration elements of accessibility or Universal Design, look no further than our online ADU Gallery of over 50 different ADU plans, which you can filter for both “accessibility” and “Universal Design” right here.

Universal Design Checklist:

General Rooms

  • Accessible path of travel to dwelling

  • 32″ wide interior doors

  • Handrail and handrail reinforcement in hallways

  • Entry door high/low peep hole viewer

  • Doorbell at 48″ maximum height in accessible location (36″)

  • Switches and outlets at 15″ to 48″ above the floor

  • Rocker light switches

  • Closet rods and shelves adjustable from 3′ to 5’6″ high

  • Up to 42” wide hallway

Bathrooms

  • At least one bathroom or powder room on the primary entry level

  • Grab bars and grab bar backing in walls

  • 30″ x 48 clear space at fixtures

  • Lavatory with lever faucet controls

  • Removable base cabinets or open lavatory with knee space and protection panel

  • Clear space for a 48” to 60” diameter circle

  • Accessible bathtub or roll-in shower

  • Hand-held adjustable showerhead

Kitchen (on the general level)

  • Accessible route to the kitchen

  • 30″ x 48″ clear space at appliances

  • Removable base cabinets at sink

  • 30″ x 48″ clear space at sink

  • Lever controls at kitchen sink faucet

  • Switches and outlets at 15″ to 48″ above the floor

  • 18” counter or breadboard for clear work area

Get 1:1 help at Step Zero of your ADU project!

If you want 1:1 help thinking about your needs and goals for your ADU, reach out to our nonprofit for an ADU Feasibility Consult where we can talk you through cost drivers for your particular project, the local rules that apply to your property, your budget and more. Sign up here today!

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