Chapter 2 New/Revised Definitions @ 2021 CBC Intervening Code Cycle

2019 CBC Revisions:
2021 Intervening Code Cycle

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Chapter 2 Definitions 

Modified Definitions

BLENDED TRANSITION. [DSA-AC]

A raised pedestrian crossing, depressed corner or similar connection between the pedestrian access route at the level of the sidewalk and the level of the pedestrian street crossing that has a grade of 5 percent or less between a circulation path at the level of the sidewalk or walk and the level of a vehicular way.

The current definition of “blended transition” is sourced directly from the United States Access Board’s Proposed Accessibility Guidelines for Pedestrian Facilities in the Public Right-of-Way (PROWAG) and uses terminology that is not used or defined elsewhere in the CBC.

BOTTLE-FILLING STATION.

A fixture that is designed and intended for filling personal use drinking water bottles or containers. Such fixtures can be separate from or integral to a drinking fountain.

This building code definition is a simplified version of the plumbing code definition that omits portions “better suited to the plumbing code requirements” than the building code in general and accessibility in particular.

CIRCULATION PATH.

An exterior or interior way of passage from one place to another for pedestrians. [DSA-AC] An exterior or interior way of passage provided for pedestrian travel, including but not limited to, walks, sidewalks, hallways, courtyards, elevators, platform lifts, ramps, stairways and landings.

The current definition of “circulation path” is sourced directly from the United States Access Board’s Proposed Accessibility Guidelines for Pedestrian Facilities in the Public Right-of-Way (PROWAG), but there was confusion as to the scope of the definition. This revision clarifies the definition applies to a broad range of pedestrian facilities.

CURB RAMP.

A sloping pedestrian way prepared surface, intended for pedestrian traffic, which provides access between a walk or sidewalk and a surface located above or below an adjacent curb face.

Replaces the broad/vague term “pedestrian way” with the more specific and well-understood term “prepared surface” as one of several such changes.

DETECTABLE WARNING.

A standardized surface feature built in or applied to walking surfaces or other elements to warn persons with visual impairments of hazards on a circulation path.

The current definition of “detectable” is sourced directly from the United States Access Board’s Proposed Accessibility Guidelines for Pedestrian Facilities in the Public Right-of-Way (PROWAG) but does not “adequately inform the reader of the intended purpose of detectable warnings.”

DRIVE AISLE.

A vehicular way provided within a parking facility that connects vehicular entrances, parking stalls, electric vehicle charging stations, passenger loading zones, and vehicular exits.

Added as part of code changes related to “vehicular area” and Section 11B-250.

DRIVEWAY.

A vehicular way providing access between a public way and a building, parking facility, or other off-street area. A driveway may provide access to drive aisles in a parking facility.

Added as part of code changes related to “vehicular area” and Section 11B-250.

PUBLIC HOUSING. [DSA-AC & HCD 1-AC]

Housing facilities owned, operated, or constructed or altered by, for or on behalf of a public entity, or constructed or altered as part of a public entity’s program to provide housing pursuant to United States Code of Federal Regulations, 28 CFR Part 35, Section 35.102(a), including but not limited to the following:

1. Publically owned and/or operated One- or two-family dwelling units or congregate residences;
2. Publically owned and/or operated Buildings or complexes with three or more residential dwelling units;
3. Publically owned and/or operated Homeless shelters, group homes, halfway houses and similar social service establishments;
4. Publically owned and/or operated Transient lodging, such as hotels, motels, hostels and other facilities providing accommodations of a short-term nature of not more than 30 days duration;
5. Housing at a place of education owned or operated by a public entity, such as housing on or serving a public school, public college or public university campus;.
6.  
7. Privately owned housing made available for public use as housing.

Note: A public entity’s program to provide housing may include but is not limited to: the allocation of local, state, or federal financial assistance, Community Development Block Grants, Low Income Housing Tax Credits, the California Multifamily Housing Program, loan agreements and housing bonds. Examples that are not considered a public entity’s program to provide housing may include but are not limited to: density bonuses, the receipt of public funds for the installation of energy efficient features, seismic strengthening, water conservation and fire safety features. For additional information see “Guide to Public Housing Regulated in Chapter 11B of the California Building Code” and the “California Access Compliance Advisory Reference Manual” available at the Division of the State Architect’s website.

Multiple revisions intended to clarify applicable scoping, legal references, and guidance documents, as well as provide examples for both what constitutes “public housing” and what does not.

PUBLIC USE. [DSA-AC]

Interior or exterior rooms, spaces or elements that are made available to the public. Public use may be provided at a building or facility that is privately or publicly owned. Private interior or exterior rooms, spaces or elements associated with a residential dwelling unit provided by a public housing program or in a public housing facility are not public use areas and shall not be required to be made available to the public. In the context of public housing, public use is the provision of housing programs by, for or on behalf of a public entity.

The deleted phrasing is “unnecessary and confusing” especially given the other changes to the scoping and definitions related to public housing.

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