1. Visitability Standards Dan McNabb, Deputy Building Official Planning and Development Review Department

2. Today’s presentation will focus on:  Components that became effective February 10, 2014.  There will be a future meeting related to the July 1, 2015 requirement for the exterior visitable route. Visitability Implementation

3. The Visitability ordinance applies to the following structures:  New single family structures  Duplexes  Townhouses and  Accessory dwellings constructed with habitable space at the entry level The requirements do not apply to remodels and additions Visitability ordinance applies to:

4. Compliance is required at plan review.  Detailed floor plans will be required from a Certified Building Designer or a Texas-Registered Architect.  Home Builders certified under the Volume Builders Program may continue to submit electronic plat plans, floor plans, and exterior plans as required under the program.  All required visitability components must be clearly indicated on submitted documents, and an elevation survey will be required when requesting a waiver. Plan Review

5. The floor plans will need to identify the following structural components:  Visitable dwelling entrance.  Visitable bathroom route minimum clear openings 32”  Visitable bathroom minimum 30” opening Plan Review – Structural Components

6. 1 st Element – Visitable Bathroom (Blue) - Require a Visitable bathroom or ½ bath on the first floor, - Require 30 inch clear doorway, and - Require wall reinforcement/blocking in visitable bathroom. - Require light switches, receptacles and environmental controls at reachable height. 2 nd Element - Interior Visitable Route (Red) - Require No Step threshold entrance of the structure, - Require a minimum clear opening of 32 inches beginning at the visitable entrance continuing through the living room, dining room, and kitchen. 3 rd Element - Exterior Visitable route (Green) - Require exterior visitable route to the No-Step entrance for all new construction effective July 1, 2015.

7.  Electrical switches, outlets, and environmental components; and  bathroom blocking will not be required to be detailed on the floor plans a general note will satisfy this requirement. Plan Review – Structural Components

8. R320.6 Visitable dwelling entrance. A dwelling must be accessible by at least one no-step entrance with a beveled threshold of one-half inch or less and a door with a clear width of at least 32 inches. The entrance may be located at the front, rear, or side, or in the garage or carport, of the dwelling.  Approved manufactured barrier-free access system pertaining to the threshold.  The clear opening of the visitable dwelling entrance is at minimum thirty two inches. Landings are to comply with the requirements of the International Residential code (ref. R311.8.2). Threshold Alternate Method of Compliance

9. R320.3 Visitable bathrooms. A visitable dwelling must be designed and constructed with at least one bathroom group or a half bath on the first floor that meets the following requirements:  a minimum clear opening of 30 inches is required;  lateral two-inch by six-inch or larger nominal wood blocking must be installed flush with stud edges of bathroom walls; and  the centerline of the blocking must be 34 inches from and parallel to the interior floor level, except for the portion of the wall located directly behind the lavatory. Visitable Bathroom

10. R320.4 Visitable light switches, receptacles, and environmental controls. The first floor of a visitable dwelling must meet the following requirements: 1. light switches and environmental controls must be no higher than 48 inches above the interior floor level; and 2. outlets and receptacles must be a minimum of 15 inches above the interior floor level, except for floor outlets and receptacles. Light Switches and environmental controls shall be measured from the top of the switch box and the top of the thermostat to the floor at frame stage. Outlets must be a minimum of 15 inches above the floor at frame stage. This measurement is from the bottom of the outlet box to the floor at frame stage. Electrical Controls

11. QUESTIONS