An Overview Of California Ada Signage Requirements

By Mike Shabluk | February 27, 2024

There are many guidelines for designing, manufacturing, and mounting ADA signs. Businesses must follow federal rules, along with local and state laws. For California-based companies and sign shops that serve them, this is especially important. That’s why being well-versed in California ADA restroom sign requirements is strongly recommended.

The problem is the rules are a little tricky. Fortunately, we created an overview of California bathroom sign requirements. With this guide, you’ll be able to navigate the rules more easily. Plus, you’ll be empowered to make informed signage decisions. 

Why You Should Know California ADA Restroom Sign Requirements

Whether you need signs for yourself or a client, you should know California ADA restroom sign requirements. It’s critical to ensure compliance. After all, having a firm grasp of the rules makes them easier to follow. And that way, you can avoid hefty fines, drawn-out lawsuits, or unhappy customers.  

The state of California has stricter rules for ADA signage than the rest of the country. This means California-based facilities must have signage specific to the state. Otherwise, they risk noncompliance with the ADA—and other legal mandates. 

For California ADA signage, there are different sets of requirements to consider. These include the following:

1. California AB 1732 (also known as The Equal Restroom Access Act) 
2. Title 24 of the California Building Code (which affects the design and construction of all buildings and equipment in California)
3. 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design

But it’s not just about staying up to code. Learning about California restroom sign requirements provides valuable insight. It explains how to make a building more accessible and welcoming to all. 

Of course, the guidelines are extensive, so reviewing each in detail may take a while. Still, business owners and sign fabricators are encouraged to review all relevant materials. They can benefit from tools that help simplify complex text. A paraphrasing tool can assist in making regulatory content more digestible for teams and clients. In the meantime, getting a general overview can be extremely helpful. 

But before diving into the restroom-specific rules under California law, a brief history lesson is in order...

How Were California ADA Restroom Sign Requirements Created?

California ADA restroom signage requirements were in place before Congress passed the ADA. The idea came from an inventor and mathematician named Samuel Genensky in the 1970s. He set out to make restrooms easier for those with visual impairments to identify.

Genensky had limited vision himself. He had no sight in his left eye and only 20/1000 vision in his right eye after a medical accident when he was a newborn. So, he understood the challenges others faced in searching for the correct restroom. His solution was to use large geometric symbols that people with low vision could identify better. 

Genensky’s efforts panned out. California began marking women’s restrooms with a 12-inch circle and men’s restrooms with a 12-inch equilateral triangle.

However, the ADA created its own guidelines for bathroom signs when the law was passed in 1990. California officials didn’t want to drop the displays residents had used for so long. So, they decided to keep their guidelines and adopt federal ADA signage laws. That’s why “Golden State” businesses must adhere to both federal and California ADA restroom sign requirements.  

What Are the Requirements for Bathroom Signs in California?

At a national level, the ADA only requires one sign to identify a public restroom. Under California law, two signs are required for a public restroom in most cases: 

1. A geometric door sign that meets California bathroom signage requirements 
2. A federal ADAAG wall sign that meets standard ADA sign requirements 

As mentioned, this law predates the ADA. The California-mandated signs feature two geometric signs without braille, text, or pictograms. These are symbols that California residents have learned to identify by sight and feel. 

(If you don’t live in California, there’s a good chance you’ve never seen these symbols on public restroom doors before. Everywhere else uses the national standards that were adopted in 1990 and have been slightly modified since then.)

How Title 24 Guidelines Come into Play

California ADA restroom sign requirements are outlined in the state’s Building Standards Code. Per California Title 24, a geometric symbol must mark all doors leading to a public restroom. The details for these signs are as follows:

• Men’s restrooms should have a 1/4-inch-thick equilateral triangle with 12-inch edges. 
• Women’s restrooms must have a 1/4-inch-thick circle with a 12-inch diameter. 
• For both men’s and women’s restrooms, the color of the geometric symbol must contrast with the door. 
• Unisex bathrooms must have a triangle superimposed on a circle with contrasting colors. 
• The edges of these geometric signs should either be eased or rounded at a minimum of 1/16 inch or chamfered at a maximum of 1/8 inch. Vertices should be radiused between a minimum of 1/8 inch and a maximum of 1/4 inch.

Any geometric display may have a pictogram depicting gender access on the sign. The pictogram doesn’t have to be tactile, but it often is. 

How AB 1732 Guidelines Come into Play

California Assembly Bill 1732 (the Equal Restroom Access Act) was enacted in 2017. It was written to fight gender identity discrimination. Per California AB 1732, single-occupancy restrooms in public places must be accessible to everyone. This means they also need gender-neutral restroom signs.

• Door signs for single-use restrooms must have a 1/4-inch-thick equilateral triangle with 12-inch edges within a 1/4-inch-thick circle with a 12-inch diameter.
• Mounting specifications for gender-neutral restroom signs in California are the same as the rest. 

It’s important to note that local codes can also vary. Some cities may require additional features on all California ADA signage. It’s common with displays used to identify restrooms. 

How Do California Requirements Differ from Federal Guidelines?

Basically, California ADA sign requirements cover the geometric restroom door sign. Federal guidelines cover the tactile sign usually mounted on the wall. 

Remember that all states must adhere to federal standards when it comes to ADA displays. It doesn’t matter what additional requirements they may have for their own signage. Where both visual and tactile characters are required, either one sign with both visual and tactile characters or two separate signs—one with visual and one with tactile—must be provided.

Federal ADA-compliant wall signs must include several elements:

• They must have tactile text noting gender access to the restroom, with the braille translation beneath it.
• They should have domed, Grade 2 braille with California spacing (0.100 inches between 2 dots in the same cell; 0.300 inches between corresponding dots in adjacent cells; 0.025 to 0.037 inches between corresponding dots from 1 cell directly below).
• If the restroom is accessible, there must be a pictogram of the International Symbol of Accessibility. 

There are unique California ADA restroom sign requirements for installation, too. 

Per the ADA, standard restroom signs must be located between 48 and 60 inches above the finished floor or ground surface, measured to the base of the lowest braille cells. The sign must be placed on the wall adjacent to the latch side of the door. If there isn’t enough space, it may be mounted on the nearest adjacent wall on the right side.

However, geometric California ADA signage must be centered horizontally on the door between 58 and 60 inches above the floor, measured from the centerline of the symbol. The same rules apply to gender-neutral displays that are required for single-use restrooms. 

When Can You Use a Dual-Purpose Restroom Sign?

Typically, a bathroom in California must have two signs: a geometric door sign and a tactile wall sign. But in some cases, a dual-purpose restroom sign can be installed. For instance, if the bathroom has a curved entrance instead of a door, the signs may be combined into one.

In any other scenario, there are precise criteria that must be met. 

• The door can’t have a hold-open device.  
• The door must close automatically. 
• The sign needs to be on the push side of the door. 

If all of these apply, then a dual-purpose sign can be used. Of course, the sign must meet both California ADA restroom sign requirements.

Note: Consult a local building official to double-check that combining signs is allowed in a particular area. 

Takeaway

There are several California ADA restroom signage requirements to keep in mind. It’s crucial for businesses and sign shops to be aware of what features are necessary. And it’s important to remember that even those in “The Golden State” must also follow federal guidelines. 

The consequences of noncompliance—such as failing to follow signage rules—can differ from state to state. However, buildings without proper signage are vulnerable to hefty fines and even lawsuits. And that’s the last thing you want, whether you’re a business owner or a trusted sign professional!

If you need displays that meet California bathroom signage requirements, you’re in luck. The experts at Erie Custom Signs have got you covered. Learn more about our California restroom sign options today!