6.3 Site Accessibility: Site Routes, Routes Through Parking, EV Charging, and Fuel Dispensers
Key Takeaways
IBC 1104.1 and 1104.2 require accessible routes from site arrival points to accessible entrances and between accessible buildings, facilities, elements and spaces on the same site.
Exterior accessible routes are 48 inches wide in A117.1-2017 (36 inches within seating areas), and walking surfaces stay at or below 1:20 running and 1:48 cross slope.
Accessible routes through parking facilities must be physically separated from vehicular traffic, except where they cross drive aisles or run only from accessible spaces and loading zones to the entrance (A117.1 507).
At least 5 percent of EV charging spaces, but not fewer than one per charger type, must be accessible, each sized like a 132-inch van space with a 60-inch aisle (IBC 1107.2).
Fuel-dispensing systems must be accessible (IBC 1107.3), and fuel dispenser operable parts on existing curbs may be 54 inches high (A117.1 308.3.1).
6.3 Site Accessibility: Site Routes, Routes Through Parking, EV Charging, and Fuel Dispensers
Site Accessibility is a 3% subtopic in the General Site and Building Elements domain. Site review starts at the property line and transit stop and ends at the accessible entrance, then covers every accessible element outdoors.
Site Routes (IBC 1104.1 and 1104.2)
| Section | Route required | Exception |
|---|---|---|
| 1104.1 Site arrival points | From public transportation stops, accessible parking, accessible passenger loading zones, and public streets or sidewalks to the accessible building entrance served | No route where the only connection is a vehicular way without pedestrian access, except for buildings containing or serving Type B units |
| 1104.2 Within a site | Between accessible buildings, facilities, elements and spaces on the same site | Same vehicular-way exception; recreational facilities only per 1111 |
| 1104.5 Location | The route coincides with or is in the same area as the general circulation path | Single routes may not pass through kitchens, storage rooms, restrooms or closets |
| 1104.6 Security barriers | Bollards and checkpoints may not obstruct the route | Route beside screening equipment with visual contact to belongings |
Each site arrival point that exists must be connected. A building with a bus stop on the street, a public sidewalk and an on-site lot needs a route from each to the accessible entrance; the shortest route from the lot is not enough if the bus stop has no connection.
Exterior Route Criteria
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Width (A117.1 403.5.1) | Exterior routes 48 in. minimum; 36 in. within seating areas; exterior ramps per 405.5 |
| Alterations (IEBC 306.7.6) | Exterior routes, including curb ramps, 36 in. minimum |
| Running slope (403.3) | Not steeper than 1:20 or it is a ramp (405) |
| Cross slope (403.3) | Not steeper than 1:48 |
| Surfaces (302) | Stable, firm, slip resistant; gravel, mulch and turf generally fail |
| Openings (302.3) | Grates pass no 1/2 in. sphere; long dimension perpendicular to travel |
| Protruding objects (307) | Signs, mailboxes and tree limbs between 27 and 80 in. protrude 4 in. maximum; 80 in. headroom |
| Curb ramps (406) | 48 in. wide, 48 x 48 landings, detectable warnings at street crossings |
A walk that rises 1 foot over 30 feet (1:30) is a walking surface; a walk that rises 2 feet over 30 feet (1:15) is a ramp and needs 1:12 or flatter runs, landings and, because the rise exceeds 6 in., handrails and edge protection.
Routes Through Parking (A117.1 Section 507)
Where accessible routes pass through parking facilities, they shall be physically separated from vehicular traffic.
Exceptions:
- Accessible route crossings of drive aisles do not need separation.
- Accessible routes only from accessible parking spaces and accessible passenger loading zones to accessible entrances do not need separation.
This 2017 provision targets routes that run along the length of a parking lot, such as a route from a public sidewalk through a lot to the building. Curbed walks, raised sidewalks or bollard-separated paths satisfy it; painted stripes along a drive aisle do not, except where the route is simply crossing the aisle.
Motor-Vehicle-Related Facilities (IBC Section 1107)
The 2021 IBC added Section 1107; the 2024 IBC kept it with minor changes.
Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (1107.2)
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Number (1107.2.1) | At least 5 percent of vehicle spaces on the site served by EV charging systems, but not fewer than one for each type of charging system |
| Size (1107.2.2) | Each accessible space complies with the requirements for a van-accessible space: 132 in. wide with a 60 in. access aisle |
| 2021 exception | Stations serving R-2, R-3 and R-4 occupancies are exempt |
| 2024 exceptions | Stations serving R-3 and R-4 are exempt, and stations used exclusively by buses, trucks, delivery vehicles, law enforcement vehicles and motor pools are exempt (R-2 is no longer exempt) |
A117.1 502.11 adds the technical rules at the charger: operable parts and card readers comply with Section 309; an accessible route connects the access aisle to the clear floor space at the charger; the charging cable may not obstruct that route while a vehicle charges; and protective bollards, curbs or wheel stops may not obstruct the clear floor space or route.
Section 1107.2 sets its own count, separate from the Table 1106.2 parking count; check both.
Fuel-Dispensing Systems (1107.3)
Fuel-dispensing systems must be accessible. A117.1 308.3.1 Exception 2 allows operable parts on fuel dispensers installed on existing curbs to be 54 in. maximum, and 309.4 exempts gas pump nozzles from the 5 lbf operating force limit.
Worked Example
A new grocery store has 120 parking spaces, 10 of which have Level 2 chargers and 2 of which have DC fast chargers, and a public bus stop on the street frontage.
- Table 1106.2: 120 spaces require 5 accessible spaces, including 1 van space.
- EV: 5% of 12 charging spaces is 0.6, but at least one per charger type, so 2 accessible EV spaces (one Level 2, one DC fast), each 132 in. wide with a 60 in. aisle, with a route from the aisle to the charger.
- Site routes connect the bus stop, the public sidewalk, the accessible parking and the loading zone (if any) to the accessible entrance. A route from the sidewalk running along a drive aisle through the lot must be physically separated from traffic.
A new office site has 40 parking spaces served by EV chargers, all of a single charger type. How many accessible EV charging spaces does IBC 1107.2.1 require?
1
4
2
0, because EV spaces count toward Table 1106.2
An accessible route runs from the public sidewalk across the length of a new parking lot to the building entrance. What does ICC A117.1-2017 Section 507 require?
The route must be physically separated from vehicular traffic, except where it crosses drive aisles
The route may run within a drive aisle if it is striped
Separation is required only where the lot has more than 100 spaces
No separation is required because the route ends at an accessible entrance
What size must an accessible EV charging space be under IBC 1107.2.2?
96 inches wide with a 60-inch access aisle
96 inches wide with a 96-inch access aisle only
120 inches wide with no access aisle
132 inches wide with an adjoining 60-inch access aisle
Sections you finish are checked off in the contents.