Skip to Content
LINXS ADA Coordinator

laxapm.accessibledesign.pro

LAX APM ADA Coordinator Files (LINXS)

California Building Code Excerpt

Section 11B-606 Lavatories and Sinks

Code excerpt regarding technical requirements for lavatories and sinks: clear floor space, height, faucets, exposed pipes and surfaces, adjacent walls or partitions, and depth.

11B-606 Lavatories and sinks

11B-606.1 General. Lavatories and sinks shall comply with Section 11B-606.

Advisory 11B-606.1 General. If soap and towel dispensers are provided, they must be located within the reach ranges specified in Section 11B-308, except for those in toilet and bathing rooms which must comply with Section 11B-603.5. Locate soap and towel dispensers so that they are conveniently usable by a person at the accessible lavatory.

11B-606.2 Clear floor space. A clear floor space complying with Section 11B-305, positioned for a forward approach, and knee and toe clearance complying with Section 11B-306 shall be provided.

Exceptions:

  1. A parallel approach complying with Section 11B-305 shall be permitted to a kitchen sink in a space where a cook top or conventional range is not provided and to wet bars.
  2. Reserved.
  3. In residential dwelling units, cabinetry shall be permitted under lavatories and kitchen sinks provided that all of the following conditions are met:
    1. the cabinetry can be removed without removal or replacement of the fixture;
    2. the finish floor extends under the cabinetry; and
    3. the walls behind and surrounding the cabinetry are finished.
  4. A knee clearance of 24 inches (610 mm) minimum above the finish floor or ground shall be permitted at lavatories and sinks used primarily by children 6 through 12 years where the rim or counter surface is 31 inches (787 mm) maximum above the finish floor or ground.
  5. A parallel approach complying with Section 11B-305 shall be permitted to lavatories and sinks used primarily by children 5 years and younger.
  6. The dip of the overflow shall not be considered in determining knee and toe clearances.
  7. No more than one bowl of a multi-bowl sink shall be required to provide knee and toe clearance complying with Section 11B-306.

11B-606.3 Height. Lavatories and sinks shall be installed with the front of the higher of the rim or counter surface 34 inches (864 mm) maximum above the finish floor or ground.

Exceptions:

  1. Reserved.
  2. In residential dwelling unit kitchens, sinks that are adjustable to variable heights, 29 inches (737 mm) minimum and 36 inches (914 mm) maximum, shall be permitted where rough-in plumbing permits connections of supply and drain pipes for sinks mounted at the height of 29 inches (737 mm).

11B-606.4 Faucets. Controls for faucets shall comply with Section 11B-309. Hand-operated metering faucets shall remain open for 10 seconds minimum.

Sensor-operated faucets are not considered to be hand-operated metering facuets. However, it is recommended to ensure that any activation of the sensor-operated faucet results in at lesat 10 seconds of water flow.

11B-606.5 Exposed pipes and surfaces. Water supply and drain pipes under lavatories and sinks shall be insulated or otherwise configured to protect against contact. There shall be no sharp or abrasive surfaces under lavatories and sinks.

Note that this requirement is not limited to hot water supply lines, or hot water supply and drain lines, but requires all supply and drain pipes under a lavatory or sink to be insulated or protected against contact. For example, the supply lines for a tankless water heater located under a lavatory or sink must be insulated or protected from contact even if they are not directly connecting to the lavatory or sink.

11B-606.6 Adjacent side wall or partition. Lavatories, when located adjacent to a side wall or partition, shall be a minimum of 18 inches (457 mm) to the centerline of the fixture.

11B-606.7 Sink depth. Where a forward approach is required at a sink, knee and toe clearance shall be provided in compliance with Section 11B-306.