(Section 305 of the 2018 IEBC with MN Amendments)
SECTION 305
ACCESSIBILITY FOR EXISTING BUILDINGS
ACCESSIBILITY FOR EXISTING BUILDINGS
305.1 Scope.
The provisions of Sections 305.1 through 305.9 apply to maintenance, change of occupancy, additions and alterations to existing buildings, including those identified as historic buildings.
305.1.2 References to other International Code Council codes.
References to the International Building Code in Section 305 means the Minnesota Accessibility Code, Minnesota Rules, part 1341.0011.
305.2 Maintenance of facilities.
A facility that is constructed or altered to be accessible shall be maintained accessible during occupancy.
305.3 Extent of application.
An alteration of an existing facility shall not impose a requirement for greater accessibility than that which would be required for new construction. Alterations shall not reduce or have the effect of reducing accessibility of a facility or portion of a facility.
305.4 Change of occupancy.
Existing buildings that undergo a change of group or occupancy shall comply with this section.
Exception: Type B dwelling or sleeping units required by Section 1107 of the International Building Code are not required to be provided in existing buildings and facilities undergoing a change of occupancy in conjunction with alterations where the work area is 50 percent or less of the aggregate area of the building.
305.4.1 Partial change of occupancy.
Where a portion of the building is changed to a new occupancy classification, any alterations shall comply with Sections 305.6, 305.7 and 305.8.
305.4.2 Complete change of occupancy.
Where an entire building undergoes a change of occupancy, it shall comply with Section 305.4.1 and shall have all of the following accessible features:
- Not fewer than one accessible building entrance.
- Not fewer than one accessible route from an accessible building entrance to primary function areas.
- Signage complying with IBC Section 1111.
- Accessible parking, where parking is being provided.
- Not fewer than one accessible passenger loading zone, where loading zones are provided.
- Not fewer than one accessible route connecting accessible parking and accessible passenger loading zones to an accessible entrance.
- Not fewer than one accessible family or assisted-use toilet room or bathing room, or one accessible male and one accessible female toilet room or bathing room, shall be located on an accessible route not more than one story above or one story below a floor without such facilities. At the inaccessible toilet and bathing rooms, directional signs indicating the location of the nearest family or assisted-use toilet room or bathing room shall be provided. These directional signs shall include the International Symbol of Accessibility, and sign characters shall meet the visual character requirements in accordance with ICC A117.1.
Where it is technically infeasible to comply with the new construction standards for any of these requirements for a change of group or occupancy, Items 1 to 7 shall conform to the requirements to the maximum extent technically feasible.
Exception: The accessible features listed in Items 1 to 7 are not required for an accessible route to Type B units.
305.5 Additions.
Provisions for new construction shall apply to additions. An addition that affects the accessibility to, or contains an area of, a primary function shall comply with the requirements in Section 305.7.
305.6 Alterations.
A facility that is altered shall comply with the applicable provisions in Chapter 11 of the International Building Code, unless technically infeasible. Where compliance with this section is technically infeasible, the alteration shall provide access to the maximum extent technically feasible.
Exceptions:
- The altered element or space is not required to be on an accessible route, unless required by Section 305.7.
- Accessible means of egress required by Chapter 10 of the International Building Code are not required to be provided in existing facilities.
- The alteration to Type A individually owned dwelling units within a Group R-2 occupancy shall be permitted to meet the provision for a Type B dwelling unit.
- Type B dwelling or sleeping units required by Section 1107 of the International Building Code are not required to be provided in existing buildings and facilities undergoing alterations where the work area is 50 percent or less of the aggregate area of the building.
305.7 Alterations affecting an area containing a primary function.
Where an alteration affects the accessibility to or contains an area of primary function, the route to the primary function area shall be accessible. The accessible route to the primary function area shall include toilet facilities, parking facilities, and drinking fountains serving the area of primary function.
Exceptions:
- The costs of providing the accessible route are not required to exceed 20 percent of the costs of the alterations affecting the area of primary function.
- This provision does not apply to alterations limited solely to windows, hardware, operating controls, electrical outlets, and signs.
- This provision does not apply to alterations limited solely to mechanical systems, electrical systems, installation or alteration of fire protection systems, and abatement of hazardous materials.
- This provision does not apply to alterations undertaken for the primary purpose of increasing the accessibility of a facility.
- This provision does not apply to altered areas limited to Type B dwelling and sleeping units.
- This provision does not apply to alterations undertaken by a tenant where the accessible route, toilet facilities, parking facilities, telephones, and drinking fountains are outside the tenant space.
305.8 Scoping for alterations.
The provisions of Sections 305.8.1 through 305.8.15 shall apply to alterations to existing buildings and facilities.
305.8.1 Entrances.
Where an alteration includes alterations to an entrance that is not accessible, and the facility has an accessible entrance, the altered entrance is not required to be accessible unless required by Section 305.7. Signs complying with Section 1111 of the International Building Code shall be provided.
305.8.2 Elevators.
Altered elements of existing elevators shall comply with Minnesota Rules, Chapter 1307, Minnesota Elevators and Related Devices, and ICC A117.1. Such elements shall also be altered in elevators programmed to respond to the same hall call control as the altered elevator.
305.8.3 Platform lifts.
Platform (wheelchair) lifts complying with ICC A117.1 and installed in accordance with Minnesota Rules, Chapter 1307, Minnesota Elevators and Related Devices, shall be permitted as a component of an accessible route. Standby power shall be provided where a platform lift provides the only accessible route from a space listed in IBC Section 1109.8.
305.8.4 Stairways and escalators in existing buildings.
Where an escalator or stairway is added where none existed previously and major structural modifications are necessary for installation, an accessible route shall be provided between the levels served by the escalator or stairways in accordance with Section 1104.4 of the International Building Code.
305.8.5 Ramps.
Where slopes steeper than allowed by Section 1012.2 of the International Building Code are necessitated by space limitations, the slope of ramps in or providing access to existing facilities shall comply with Table 305.8.5.
TABLE 305.8.5
| SLOPE | MAXIMUM RISE |
| Steeper than 1:10 but not steeper than 1:8 | 3 inches |
| Steeper than 1:12 but not steeper than 1:10 | 6 inches |
For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm.
305.8.6 Accessible dwelling or sleeping units.
Where Group I-1, I-2, I-3, R-1, R-2 or R-4 dwelling or sleeping units are being altered or added, the requirements of Section 1107 of the International Building Code for Accessible units apply only to the quantity of spaces being altered or added.
305.8.7 Type A dwelling or sleeping units.
Where more than 7 Group R-2 dwelling or sleeping units are being altered or added, the requirements of IBC Section 1107 for Type A units apply only to the quantity of the spaces being altered or added.
305.8.8 Type B dwelling or sleeping units.
Where four or more Group I-1, I-2, R-1, R-2, R-3 or R-4 dwelling or sleeping units are being added, the requirements of Section 1107 of the International Building Code for Type B units apply only to the quantity of the spaces being added. Where Group I-1, I-2, R-1, R-2, R-3 or R-4 dwelling or sleeping units are being altered and where the work area is greater than 50 percent of the aggregate area of the building, the requirements of Section 1107 of the International Building Code for Type B units apply only to the quantity of the spaces being altered.
305.8.9 Jury boxes and witness stands.
In alterations, accessible wheelchair spaces are not required to be located within the defined area of raised jury boxes or witness stands and shall be permitted to be located outside these spaces where the ramp or lift access restricts or projects into the required means of egress.
305.8.10 Toilet rooms.
Where it is technically infeasible to alter existing toilet and bathing rooms to be accessible, an accessible family or assisted-use toilet or bathing room constructed in accordance with Section 1109.2.1 of the International Building Code is permitted. The family or assisted-use toilet or bathing room shall be located on the same floor and in the same area as the existing toilet or bathing rooms. At the inaccessible toilet and bathing rooms, directional signs indicating the location of the nearest family or assisted-use toilet room or bathing room shall be provided. These directional signs shall include the International Symbol of Accessibility and sign characters shall meet the visual character requirements in accordance with ICC A117.1.
305.8.10.1 Ambulatory compartment.
In addition to the provisions of Section 305.8.10, an ambulatory compartment shall be provided within the existing toilet room or bathing room, unless technically infeasible.
305.8.10.2 Ambulatory compartment.
Where it is technically infeasible to alter the existing toilet rooms and bathing rooms to be accessible or provide a family or assisted-use toilet room or bathing room in compliance with Section 305.8.10, an ambulatory compartment with a minimum clear floor space of 48 inches in front of the water closet shall be provided in the existing toilet room or bathing room, unless technically infeasible.
305.8.11 Additional toilet and bathing facilities.
In assembly and mercantile occupancies, where additional toilet fixtures are added, not fewer than one accessible family or assisted-use toilet room shall be provided where required by Section 1109.2.1 of the International Building Code. In recreational facilities, where additional bathing rooms are being added, not fewer than one family or assisted-use bathing room shall be provided where required by Section 1109.2.1 of the International Building Code.
305.8.12 Dressing, fitting and locker rooms.
Where it is technically infeasible to provide accessible dressing, fitting or locker rooms at the same location as similar types of rooms, one accessible room on the same level shall be provided. Where separate-sex facilities are provided, accessible rooms for each sex shall be provided. Separatesex facilities are not required where only unisex rooms are provided.
305.8.13 Fuel dispensers.
Deleted.
305.8.14 Thresholds.
The maximum height of thresholds at doorways shall be 3/4 inch (19.1 mm). Such thresholds shall have beveled edges on each side.
305.8.15 Amusement rides.
Deleted.
305.8.16 Addition of pedestrian route.
Where a pedestrian route is installed where none existed previously, an accessible route shall be provided.
305.8.17 Assembly areas.
Assembly areas shall comply with Sections 305.8.17.1 and 305.8.17.2.
305.8.17.1 Wheelchair seating.
Where it is technically infeasible to disperse accessible seating throughout an altered assembly area, accessible seating areas shall be permitted to be clustered. Each accessible seating area shall provide for companion seating and shall be located on an accessible route.
305.8.17.2 Performance area.
Where it is technically infeasible to alter all performing areas to be on an accessible route, at least one of each type of performing area shall be made accessible.
305.8.18 Check-out aisles.
Where check-out aisles are altered, at least one of each type of check-out aisle serving each function shall be made accessible until the number of accessible check-out aisles complies with IBC Section 1109.12.2.
305.8.19 Parking restriping.
Renewing existing parking striping shall be allowed. New striping, due to resurfacing, reconfiguration of parking spaces, or other reasons, shall provide accessible spaces as applicable in IBC Sections 1106.1 to 1106.7.
305.9 Historic buildings.
These provisions shall apply to facilities designated as historic structures that undergo alterations or a change of occupancy, unless technically infeasible. Where compliance with the requirements for accessible routes, entrances or toilet rooms would threaten or destroy the historic significance of the facility, as determined by the authority having jurisdiction, the alternative requirements of Sections 305.9.1 through 305.9.4 for that element shall be permitted.
Exception: Type B dwelling or sleeping units required by Section 1107 of the International Building Code are not required to be provided in historic buildings.
305.9.1 Site arrival points.
Not fewer than one accessible route from a site arrival point to an accessible entrance shall be provided.
305.9.2 Multiple-level buildings and facilities.
An accessible route from an accessible entrance to public spaces on the level of the accessible entrance shall be provided.
305.9.3 Entrances.
Not fewer than one main entrance shall be accessible.
Exception: If a public entrance cannot be made accessible, an accessible entrance that is unlocked while the building is occupied shall be provided; or, a locked accessible entrance with a notification system or remote monitoring shall be provided.
Signs complying with Section 1111 of the International Building Code shall be provided at the public entrance and the accessible entrance.
305.9.4 Toilet and bathing facilities.
Where toilet rooms are provided, not fewer than one accessible family or assisted-use toilet room complying with Section 1109.2.1 of the International Building Code shall be provided.