What is ADA Door Clearance?

While keeping up to date with commercial building codes, including ADA standards, can be confusing, it’s essential to know these regulations as it relates to your home or business to minimize liability and improve user experience. These compliances may seem overly complex. at first, but you’ll be surprised how simple they are when clearly explained. That’s why we’ve answered some of the most frequently asked questions customers have about ADA door clearance.

FAQs about ADA Door Clearance

What are the ADA requirements for doors?
Where do you need ADA clearances?
What is the ADA door clearance for wheelchairs?
Which doors should be accessible?
Why do you need so much room in front of the door?
What is the ADA clearance for residential door width?
Can ADA clearances overlap?
What is the minimum ADA door clearance?
What requirements must be met to become ADA complaint?
What do landlords need to know about the ADA?
What is the most common ADA violation as it relates to doors?
What are some ADA compliance exemptions?

By following the standards set forth by the Americans with Disabilities Act, you can ensure you remain compliant with federal law while promoting equal access to your business. As a business owner or landlord, it’s important to know that these aspects are critical to a successful and sustainable business.

However, before we dive into these common questions, it’s essential to understand what the ADA is, what ADA door clearance is, and why these laws are in place.

ADA stands for the Americans with Disabilities Act, which was established to ensure that people with disabilities are protected and have the same access to public buildings, services, and commodities as anyone else. This means that building structures, walkways, entrances, doors, and more have to be wheelchair or walker accessible, among other things.

ADA door clearance details the dimensions required for a door to meet ADA standards. The law outlines the standards for both manual doors and automatic doors. This includes standard door width, standard door height, ADA door swing clearance, ADA door opening clearance, the ability to access the entrance of a building, and door maneuvering clearance. It also outlines the closing speed of the door, the amount of force required to open the door (referred to as opening force), the height of the door window (if applicable), compliant hardware, and more.

According to the American with Disabilities Act, “Compliance is required for doors, doorways, and gates providing user passage on accessible routes. At least one accessible door, doorway, or gate serving each accessible room, space, and entrance must comply.”

ADA door clearance requirements are federal law, which means every commercial building or publicly accessible building must be ADA compliant. All new commercial and public building structures must have an accessible design, meaning all new building plans are designed with ADA requirements already in place. However, older buildings built before the 1990s may not meet ADA compliant codes. For these buildings, modifications are required to ensure the entrances and doors have ADA door clearance standards, among other ADA compliance requirements.

ADA door clearance and ADA requirements also apply to rental housing, so landlords need to be aware of their tenant's needs and the adjust door clearance, if necessary, to be ADA compliant. Again, these laws are in place to protect people with disabilities and grant them equal access to public spaces and commodities. This ultimately serves the business as well, for it is fully accessible to all.

Frequently Asked Questions about ADA Door Clearances

1. What are the ADA requirements for doors?

There are many different parts of a door, and the ADA provides guidelines for everything from door clearance to threshold, hardware to opening force. This includes:

Clear Width and Vertical Clearance

Whether it’s manually-operated doors, sliding doors, or automatic doors, the ADA requires a minimum of 32 inches of clear width (door width) for each door. For swinging doors, the clear width is measured when the door is opened at 90 degrees, from the door stop to the face of the fully opened door. If it’s a sliding door or folding door, the clear width is measured to the leading edge of the door. However, if the doorway is deeper than 24 inches, the clear width must be a minimum of 36 inches.

The ADA standard door height (also known as vertical clearance) is a minimum of 80 inches. A minimum of 78 inches of vertical clearance is required from the door stop to the top door closers.

According to the ADA, “No projection into the clear width is permitted below 34 inches.” This means that the door handle or any other object on the door can’t be below 34 inches.

Furthermore, any projection above the 34-inch threshold allows for a four-inch max projection on both sides of the door into the clear opening width.

Maneuvering Clearances

Along with the clear width and vertical clearance requirements, the ADA also has door clearance requirements for the space around the door. These requirements ensure there is enough space for opening and proceeding through doors, doorways, and gates while using wheelchairs and other mobility aids. This means there must not be anything around the door that would prevent someone in a wheelchair from being able to maneuver around the door. It also means there must not be anything to prevent the door from fully swinging open. ADA maneuvering clearances are required on both sides of doors, except those that can only be used in one direction.

No specific measurement is given for the exact amount of space required for the maneuvering clearance, other than, “Maneuvering clearances must be free of protrusions to the full height (80 inches minimum) and changes in level (other than thresholds.)”

If a door opens into a hallway and leads to another door, the door maneuvering clearances can overlap. If it’s a door or gate in a series, there must be a separation between the two doors of at least 48 inches, plus the width of the doors swinging into the space. In other words, there must be a minimum of 48 inches from the edge of the opened door to the face of the next closed door.

If a recessed door has a thick wall or other type of protrusion, such as casework or shelving, within 18 inches of the latch side and protrudes out more than eight inches from the face of the door, a forward approach must be provided for maneuvering clearance. While the maneuvering clearance is measured from the wall, it cannot be offset more than eight inches from the face of the door.

Door Threshold

Sometimes, doors have thresholds in place at the bottom of the door to create an air-tight seal when the door is closed. However, to accommodate those in a wheelchair or using other mobility assistance devices, the ADA door clearance requirements limit the height of the threshold to one-half inch in new construction. For existing thresholds, a maximum height of three-quarter inch is allowed if the threshold also has a beveled edge on each side with a slope no steeper than 1:2. The vertical edge of the threshold must not be greater than one-quarter inch, and the vertical edge must be located below the bevel, not above.

ADA Door Hardware Requirements

The ADA also has certain standards set in place for door hardware, specifically for the door handle or latch and lock. These standards ensure that the door is accessible to everyone, including those with impaired mobility in their hands. Because of this, the ADA requires that door and gate hardware must allow for one-hand operation, and not require tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist.

Handles, such as round door knobs, require tight grasping and twisting of the wrist, so they do not comply. Rather, the ADA requires hardware that can be operated with a loose grip or closed fist, such as U-shaped pulls and lever-shaped handles, which accommodate the greatest range of users. Any sort of bars, pulls, or similar handle hardware should provide sufficient knuckle clearance (1½ inches minimum) to facilitate gripping.

Handles with thumb latches are also acceptable, though not advised due to the ADA’s caution against simultaneous actions. The ADA recommends avoiding hardware that requires hand or finger dexterity, fine motor movement, or simultaneous actions.

Handles and locks have to be operable with five one-pound force maximum, and must be located 34 inches to 48 inches above the ground surface.

Lastly, any latches or locks that require pinching do not comply with ADA standards. Keys and access cards that are not part of the lockset are not required to comply. However, the ADA recommends locks and keys that do not require pinching, don’t have small parts, or do not require turning to provide better access to those with disabilities and limited mobility.

Opening Force

It’s noted above that ADA door clearance standards require a maximum opening force of five one-pound force. However, there are exceptions to this standard, including fire doors, exterior hinged doors, latch bolts, and other devices that keep doors or gates closed.

According to the ADA Guide, Chapter 4, section 404.2.9, The five one-pound force maximum applies to the continuous application of force necessary to fully open a door, not the initial force needed to overcome the door’s seal resulting from unequal pressure. You can measure your door opening force with a pressure gauge.

Exterior hinged doors are exempted from the ADA’s Opening Force standard because the opening force is impacted by wind loading and other external conditions including, HVAC systems, energy efficiency, gaskets, and the weight of the doors.

The minimum force needed for the door to properly latch and close usually exceeds the accessible limit of five pounds of force required at other interior doors. Because of this, the ADA highly recommends automated exterior doors, as difficulty opening manual entry doors is a common access complaint.

2. Where do you need ADA clearances?

All public entrances and interior doors need to have ADA clearances for universal accessibility. The ADA Standards Guides states, “requirements for doors, doorways, and gates apply to those that provide “user passage.” Public doors also include employee-only doors, bathroom doors, dressing or fitting rooms, locker rooms, and any public door or doorway that allows full passage. Exceptions include shallow closets or pantries, cabinets, or other storage elements that do not provide user passage, but must meet the ADA storage requirements. Doors to walk-in closets, pantries, or storage must comply.

3. What is the ADA door clearance for wheelchairs?

The ADA door clearance for wheelchairs is the same as the door clearance described above in the what are the ADA requirements for doors? section. The clear width must be a minimum of 32 inches. There must be maneuvering clearances on both sides of the door to allow for easy passage for wheelchairs.

The above section also details threshold and hardware requirements for those in a wheelchair.

4. Which doors should be accessible?

A business or public building must have at least one accessible entrance. The ADA states that at least 60 percent of public entrances must be accessible in new construction, in addition to entrances directly serving tenancies, parking facilities, pedestrian tunnels, and elevated walkways.

“Public entrances” is further clarified to include all entrances except those that are restricted or used exclusively as service entrances. Furthermore, interior public doors must be compliant with the standards described above in the ADA requirements for door clearances section. Public doors include employee-only doors, bathroom doors, changing rooms, and any public door or doorway that allows full passage. Exceptions include shallow closets or pantry doors.

For businesses, it’s recommended that their primary entrance is accessible, including an accessible route and landing area that accommodates door maneuvering clearance. If not, there must be clear signage describing the location of an accessible door. These signs must include the International Symbol of Accessibility.

For dwelling units, ADA standards require that primary entrances be accessible. An assisted living facility is an example of a dwelling unit, and does not include residential structures.

5. Why do you need so much room in front of the door?

There needs to be enough room in front of the door to allow for maneuvering clearance and floor clearance. In other words, those in a wheelchair, scooter, or other mobility device need enough room to turn and maneuver themselves in front of the door.

For exterior landings to accessible entryways, the ADA recommends that the landings be large enough for safe maneuvering at ramps and doors. It’s important that this maneuvering does not occur near stair openings and open drop-offs.

6. What is the ADA clearance for residential door width?

ADA door opening clearance requirements specifically apply to publicly accessible doors and entryways. Private residential housing, whether individually owned or leased, is not covered by the ADA. In other words, there is no standard or requirements for ADA clearance for residential door width. This also includes residential housing, such as apartments, single-family homes, and condominiums.

However, according to the ADA Coverage for Housing, government-owned or operated housing and certain privately owned facilities that provided housing are subject to the ADA and its accessibility requirements. This includes public housing, employee housing, student and faculty housing, temporary housing provided in emergencies, and nursing homes. Social service facilities, such as homeless shelters and halfway houses, are also subject to ADA door clearance requirements. Furthermore, public offices or accommodations located in residential buildings are subject to ADA standards.

It’s also important for landlords of residential homes or apartments to be aware that they are required to make reasonable accommodations to the housing structure if their tenant is protected by the ADA. For example, if the tenant is in a wheelchair and the door width is less than 32 inches, the door frame may need to be widened and the door replaced to accommodate the tenant.

7. Can ADA clearances overlap?

Areas around doors, entryways, and public accommodations are referred to as clear floor or ground space, and there must be enough clear floor or ground space around such areas for accessibility, turning space, and maneuvering. ADA clearance areas can overlap other required clearances, including other clear floor spaces, door maneuvering clearances, and fixture clearances.

There are also specific requirements for door swing into clear floor, ground space, and turning space areas. In specific instances, doors cannot swing into the required clear floor or ground space, but doors can swing into a turning space.

8. What is the minimum ADA door clearance?

As described under the what are the ADA requirements for doors section, the ADA requires a minimum of 32 inches clear width (door width). For automated or manual swinging doors, the clear width is measured when the door is opened at 90 degrees, from the door stop to the face of the fully opened door. The ADA standard vertical clearance is a minimum of 80 inches. A minimum of 78 inches of vertical clearance is required from the door stop to the top door closers.

Along with the clear width and vertical clearance requirements, the ADA also has door clearance requirements for the space around the door. There must be adequate maneuvering clearance around the door, such as enough turning space, clear floor space, and ground space. Maneuvering clearance applies to both sides of the door, as long as both sides provide clear passage.

9. What requirements must be met to become ADA compliant?

When it comes to doors and entryways, the door width and height must be the minimum dimensions described above (32 inches width, 80 inches height). There must be adequate maneuvering space around the door for it to be ADA compliant. Any door hardware, including the door handle or any other object on the door, can’t be below 34 inches.

The door must also have ADA-standard hardware, such as easily accessible door handles and locks. Any interior doors must have a maximum opening force of five one-pound force, unless they are safety rated doors, such as fire doors. There are also certain requirements about the door threshold, entryway landings, and more, which are described in more detail above.

If an exterior entry door is not accessible, there must be clear signage pointing towards an ADA compliant entryway.

Other than doors, the ADA has standards for several other building structures and public accommodations that are worth reviewing into to ensure your space is ADA compliant.

10. What do landlords need to know about the ADA?

While residential housing isn’t covered by the ADA, those who have disabilities are still protected by the ADA. This means landlords have to be aware of their tenant’s rights and be willing to make reasonable accommodations, if necessary. In other words, landlords are required by law to allow their tenants to make reasonable accommodations to the housing structure if they are protected by the ADA. And what’s more, the landlord may be required to make those adjustments for them.

For example, a landlord may need to widen a door if it doesn’t allow accessibility for a wheelchair, or add a ramp if the house has stairs. The tenant is also allowed to modify the space in any way necessary, as long as it is reasonable for their needs.

Furthermore, it’s against the law for landlords to deny a person living space based on their disability or to ask discriminatory questions when interviewing a potential client. To deny a person living space based on their disability is discrimination and is against the law.

11. What is the most common ADA violation as it relates to doors?

One of the most common ADA violations is the presence of inaccessible doors and emergency exits in a building. As discussed, every commercial building open to the public must have at least one accessible entryway, clear signage to that entryway, and accessible interior doors, including bathroom door clearance.

12. What are some ADA compliance exemptions?

When it comes to ADA door requirements, there are some exemptions, such as the required push force on the push side for an exterior entry door. Safety doors, such as fire-rated doors, are also exempted from push-force regulations.

Furthermore, certain exemptions apply to historic buildings protected by the State Historic Preservations Official or Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. For example, if making a public entrance ADA compliant would threaten or destroy a facility’s historic significance, it’s okay to provide access to a nonpublic entrance instead. With such an entrance, a notification or remote monitoring system is required if said entrance is locked.

Upgrade Your Custom Doors to Comply with ADA Door Clearance Standards

While learning ADA standards can be overwhelming at first, it’s essential to know these regulations and modify your space if necessary. This will save you from potential lawsuits and ensure you are providing equal access to your business.

If you’re a business owner or landlord that needs to upgrade their doors to meet ADA compliance, why not invest in a door that is fully accessible and fully customized to your unique design style and preferences?

With Rustica, you can design top-quality, fully custom interior doors and entryways to fit your needs and ADA door standards. Don’t delay another day—start designing your custom, ADA compliant door with Rustica today!