Does an ADA bathroom stall door have to swing out?

Section 604.8.1.2 says the door shall not swing into the minimum required compartment area. An in-swinging door is possible only where the compartment is large enough that the swing stays outside the 60 by 56 or 59 in. minimum area. On a minimum-size stall the door swings out. It must also be self-closing, with a pull on each side near the latch.

How many accessible stalls does a restroom need?

Section 213.3.1 requires at least one wheelchair accessible compartment wherever toilet compartments are provided. Where there are six or more compartments, or where urinals and water closets together total six or more fixtures, one ambulatory accessible compartment is required as well. State and local codes can require more, and the authority having jurisdiction decides.

Where does the toilet sit inside an accessible stall?

Section 604.2 puts the water closet centerline 16 in. minimum to 18 in. maximum from the side wall or partition, with a wall or partition to the rear and to one side. The compartment may be arranged for a left-hand or right-hand approach (604.8.1.3). The other side stays open for the transfer.

What is toe clearance on a toilet partition?

It is the open space under the front partition and at least one side partition: 9 in. minimum above the finish floor and 6 in. minimum beyond the compartment-side face of the partition, not counting the support members that hold it up (604.8.1.4). Compartments for children's use need 12 in. The rule is waived only on compartments deeper than 62 or 65 in. or wider than 66 in.

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2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design

ADA Toilet Stall Dimensions and Layout

Short answer

Section 604.8.1.1 of the ADA Standards makes a wheelchair accessible toilet compartment 60 in. wide minimum, measured perpendicular to the side wall, and 56 in. deep minimum with a wall hung water closet or 59 in. deep minimum with a floor mounted one, measured perpendicular to the rear wall.

Requirements at a glance

Rule	Requirement	Section
Compartment size	60 in. wide minimum, measured perpendicular to the side wall; 56 in. deep minimum with a wall hung water closet or 59 in. deep minimum with a floor mounted one, measured perpendicular to the rear wall. Compartments for children's use: 60 in. wide and 59 in. deep with either fixture Standards text Wheelchair accessible compartments shall be 60 inches (1525 mm) wide minimum measured perpendicular to the side wall, and 56 inches (1420 mm) deep minimum for wall hung water closets and 59 inches (1500 mm) deep minimum for floor mounted water closets measured perpendicular to the rear wall. Wheelchair accessible compartments for children’s use shall be 60 inches (1525 mm) wide minimum measured perpendicular to the side wall, and 59 inches (1500 mm) deep minimum for wall hung and floor mounted water closets measured perpendicular to the rear wall.	604.8.1.1
Water closet centerline	16 in. minimum to 18 in. maximum from the side wall or partition Standards text The centerline of the water closet shall be 16 inches (405 mm) minimum to 18 inches (455 mm) maximum from the side wall or partition, except that the water closet shall be 17 inches (430 mm) minimum and 19 inches (485 mm) maximum from the side wall or partition in the ambulatory accessible toilet compartment specified in 604.8.2 .	604.2
What may sit inside the clearance	Grab bars, dispensers, sanitary napkin disposal units, coat hooks, and shelves may overlap the water closet clearance; no other fixture or obstruction may Standards text The required clearance around the water closet shall be permitted to overlap the water closet, associated grab bars, dispensers, sanitary napkin disposal units, coat hooks, shelves, accessible routes, clear floor space and clearances required at other fixtures, and the turning space. No other fixtures or obstructions shall be located within the required water closet clearance.	604.3.2
Door location and swing	In the front partition, 4 in. maximum from the side wall or partition farthest from the water closet; or in that far side partition, 4 in. maximum from the front partition. Self-closing, with a pull on both sides near the latch, and no swing into the minimum required compartment area Standards text Doors shall be located in the front partition or in the side wall or partition farthest from the water closet. Where located in the front partition, the door opening shall be 4 inches (100 mm) maximum from the side wall or partition farthest from the water closet. Where located in the side wall or partition, the door opening shall be 4 inches (100 mm) maximum from the front partition. The door shall be self-closing. A door pull complying with 404.2.7 shall be placed on both sides of the door near the latch. Toilet compartment doors shall not swing into the minimum required compartment area.	604.8.1.2
Latch side approach	42 in. minimum between the door side of the compartment and any obstruction when the approach is to the latch side of the door Standards text Toilet compartment doors, including door hardware, shall comply with 404 except that if the approach is to the latch side of the compartment door, clearance between the door side of the compartment and any obstruction shall be 42 inches (1065 mm) minimum.	604.8.1.2
Door clear width	32 in. minimum, measured between the face of the door and the stop with the door open 90 degrees Standards text Door openings shall provide a clear width of 32 inches (815 mm) minimum. Clear openings of doorways with swinging doors shall be measured between the face of the door and the stop, with the door open 90 degrees.	404.2.3
Door hardware	Latch, lock, and pulls 34 in. minimum and 48 in. maximum above the finish floor, operable with one hand Standards text Handles, pulls, latches, locks, and other operable parts on doors and gates shall comply with 309.4 . Operable parts of such hardware shall be 34 inches (865 mm) minimum and 48 inches (1220 mm) maximum above the finish floor or ground.	404.2.7
Toe clearance	9 in. minimum above the finish floor and 6 in. deep minimum beyond the compartment-side face of the front partition and at least one side partition, not counting partition support members; 12 in. minimum above the floor in compartments for children's use Standards text The front partition and at least one side partition shall provide a toe clearance of 9 inches (230 mm) minimum above the finish floor and 6 inches (150 mm) deep minimum beyond the compartment-side face of the partition, exclusive of partition support members. Compartments for children’s use shall provide a toe clearance of 12 inches (305 mm) minimum above the finish floor.	604.8.1.4
When toe clearance is not required	At the front partition of a compartment deeper than 62 in. with a wall hung water closet or 65 in. with a floor mounted one; at a side partition of a compartment wider than 66 in. Standards text EXCEPTION: Toe clearance at the front partition is not required in a compartment greater than 62 inches (1575 mm) deep with a wall-hung water closet or 65 inches (1650 mm) deep with a floor-mounted water closet. Toe clearance at the side partition is not required in a compartment greater than 66 inches (1675 mm) wide.	604.8.1.4
Grab bars required	A side wall bar on the wall closest to the water closet and a rear wall bar, both complying with 609 Standards text Grab bars shall comply with 609 . A side-wall grab bar complying with 604.5.1 shall be provided and shall be located on the wall closest to the water closet. In addition, a rear-wall grab bar complying with 604.5.2 shall be provided.	604.8.1.5
Side wall grab bar	42 in. long minimum, located 12 in. maximum from the rear wall and extending 54 in. minimum from it Standards text The side wall grab bar shall be 42 inches (1065 mm) long minimum, located 12 inches (305 mm) maximum from the rear wall and extending 54 inches (1370 mm) minimum from the rear wall.	604.5.1
Rear wall grab bar	36 in. long minimum, extending 12 in. minimum from the water closet centerline on one side and 24 in. minimum on the other Standards text The rear wall grab bar shall be 36 inches (915 mm) long minimum and extend from the centerline of the water closet 12 inches (305 mm) minimum on one side and 24 inches (610 mm) minimum on the other side.	604.5.2
Grab bar height	33 in. minimum to 36 in. maximum above the finish floor, to the top of the gripping surface; 18 to 27 in. at water closets for children's use Standards text Grab bars shall be installed in a horizontal position, 33 inches (840 mm) minimum and 36 inches (915 mm) maximum above the finish floor measured to the top of the gripping surface, except that at water closets for children’s use complying with 604.9 , grab bars shall be installed in a horizontal position 18 inches (455 mm) minimum and 27 inches (685 mm) maximum above the finish floor measured to the top of the gripping surface.	609.4
Coat hooks and shelves	Coat hooks within a reach range from Section 308; shelves 40 in. minimum and 48 in. maximum above the finish floor Standards text Coat hooks shall be located within one of the reach ranges specified in 308 . Shelves shall be located 40 inches (1015 mm) minimum and 48 inches (1220 mm) maximum above the finish floor.	604.8.3
How many compartments must comply	At least one wheelchair accessible compartment wherever compartments are provided, plus one ambulatory accessible compartment where there are six or more compartments, or six or more fixtures counting urinals and water closets Standards text Where toilet compartments are provided, at least one toilet compartment shall comply with 604.8.1 . In addition to the compartment required to comply with 604.8.1 , at least one compartment shall comply with 604.8.2 where six or more toilet compartments are provided, or where the combination of urinals and water closets totals six or more fixtures.	213.3.1

Source: 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design, U.S. Access Board. State and local codes can be stricter, and the authority having jurisdiction has the final word.

Heights above the finish floor, drawn to scale. Grab bar top, side and rear walls: 33 to 36 in. above the finish floor (ADA 609.4). Door latch, lock, and pulls: 34 to 48 in. above the finish floor (ADA 404.2.7). Shelf inside the compartment: 40 to 48 in. above the finish floor (ADA 604.8.3).

How to measure the compartment

Width is measured perpendicular to the side wall, the wall or partition the water closet sits beside. Depth is measured perpendicular to the rear wall. Both readings run from the finished face of the wall or partition, not from a pilaster or the door, and the compartment has to clear 60 in. one way and 56 or 59 in. the other.

The depth depends on the fixture. A wall hung water closet allows 56 in.; a floor mounted water closet needs 59 in. Compartments for children's use are 60 in. wide and 59 in. deep whichever type is installed.

Section 604.3.2 lets the clearance around the water closet overlap the grab bars, dispensers, sanitary napkin disposal, coat hooks, and shelves. Any other fixture or obstruction has to stay out of it, so a trash can or a floor-standing unit cannot share the stall.

Door location, swing, and hardware

Section 604.8.1.2 gives the door two possible places. In the front partition, the opening sits 4 in. maximum from the side wall or partition farthest from the water closet. In that far side partition, the opening sits 4 in. maximum from the front partition. Either way the door lands diagonally opposite the water closet, which keeps the transfer side open.

The door must be self-closing, must carry a pull on both sides near the latch, and may not swing into the minimum required compartment area. Under 404.2.3 the clear opening is 32 in. minimum, measured between the face of the door and the stop with the door open 90 degrees. Under 404.2.7 the latch, lock, and pulls sit 34 to 48 in. above the floor and work with one hand.

When the approach outside the stall is to the latch side of the door, 604.8.1.2 asks for 42 in. minimum between the door side of the compartment and any obstruction. That figure replaces the latch side clearance of Section 404 for compartment doors; the rest of 404 still applies.

Toe clearance under the partitions

Section 604.8.1.4 requires the front partition and at least one side partition to clear the floor by 9 in. minimum, and that space must continue 6 in. minimum beyond the compartment-side face of the partition. Partition support members are excluded, so pilasters do not count against it, but a panel or door that runs to the floor does.

Compartments for children's use raise the figure to 12 in. above the finish floor. The requirement is waived at the front partition of a compartment deeper than 62 in. with a wall hung water closet or 65 in. with a floor mounted one, and at a side partition of a compartment wider than 66 in. Full-height doors and panels are an option on an oversized stall; on a minimum-size stall they are not.

Grab bars, hooks, and shelves inside the stall

Section 604.8.1.5 calls for two grab bars. The side wall bar goes on the wall closest to the water closet: 42 in. long minimum, starting 12 in. maximum from the rear wall and reaching 54 in. minimum from it (604.5.1). The rear wall bar is 36 in. long minimum and extends 12 in. minimum from the water closet centerline on the wall side and 24 in. minimum on the open side (604.5.2).

Both bars mount horizontally with the top of the gripping surface 33 to 36 in. above the finish floor, or 18 to 27 in. at water closets for children's use, under 609.4. Coat hooks must fall within a reach range from Section 308, and a shelf sits 40 to 48 in. above the floor (604.8.3). Toilet paper dispensers have their own placement rules in 604.7, covered on the dispenser page.

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Commercial grab bars

Every product page lists dimensions, mounting, and manufacturer documents to check against these rules.

Drinking Fountain Grab Bar

Brand: Bobrick
Model: 819298
Category: Grab Bars
Ships: 2 to 3 business days

Spec sheet on product page

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Swing-Up Grab Bar, White Vinyl-Coated

Brand: Bobrick
Model: B-49916
Category: Grab Bars
Ships: 2 to 3 business days

Spec sheet on product page

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Swing-Up Grab Bar, Satin Finish

Brand: Bobrick
Model: B-4998
Category: Grab Bars
Ships: 2 to 3 business days

Spec sheet on product page

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Straight Grab Bars, 1-1/4" Diameter, White Vinyl-Coated, 18"

Brand: Bobrick
Model: B-580616 x 18
Category: Grab Bars
Ships: 2 to 3 business days

Spec sheet on product page

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Straight Grab Bars, 1-1/4" Diameter, White Vinyl-Coated, 24"

Brand: Bobrick
Model: B-580616 x 24
Category: Grab Bars
Ships: 2 to 3 business days

Spec sheet on product page

$74.52View

Straight Grab Bars, 1-1/4" Diameter, White Vinyl-Coated, 36“

Brand: Bobrick
Model: B-580616 x 36
Category: Grab Bars
Ships: 2 to 3 business days

Spec sheet on product page

$91.77View

Straight Grab Bars, 1-1/4" Diameter, White Vinyl-Coated, 42“

Brand: Bobrick
Model: B-580616 x 42
Category: Grab Bars
Ships: 2 to 3 business days

Spec sheet on product page

$100.05View

Two-Wall Grab Bar, 1-1/4" Diameter, Satin Finish, 36" x 54"

Brand: Bobrick
Model: B-5837
Category: Grab Bars
Ships: 2 to 3 business days

Spec sheet on product page

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Grab Bars buying guide and specs

Partitions and hardware these rules apply to

Solid Plastic (HDPE) Toilet Partitions

Won't rust. Won't dent. Won't delaminate. The long-life answer for wet, high-traffic, vandal-prone restrooms.

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Phenolic Toilet Partitions

The heavy-duty premium spec: phenolic core for vandal-prone, high-traffic, premium-aesthetic restrooms.

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Powder Coated Steel Toilet Partitions

The default commercial spec: economical, wide color range, easy to repair.

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Stainless Steel Toilet Partitions

Premium look, won't rust, vandal-resistant: the spec for hospitality and high-traffic premium restrooms.

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Toilet Compartment Combination Units

One cabinet per stall, or one per two stalls, for tissue, seat covers, and napkin disposal.

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Hooks & Towel Bars

Robe hooks, coat hooks, hook strips, towel bars, and towel rings built for commercial use.

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Put these heights on a whole schedule

The restroom builder takes the fixture counts and lists every accessory with its quantity, a live price, and the mounting height from these pages.

Open the restroom builder