Bathroom Requirements In Small Commercial Retail?

born2drv

Hi everyone I hope someone knows the answer to this question.

I'm renovating a very small space (280sqft) for a retail store in Burbank, CA. There won't be enough space for a bathroom and the client does not want one, he plans to just "go" in his nearby office in another unit that does have a bathroom.

Does anyone know off by hand if this is allowed to omit a bathroom in a small space such as this?

Thanks,
Yosef

Big Bob

Really need alot more info:

if this was FL , no way, add the bath and it better be handi-cap.

KillerToiletSpider

In Chicago you have to have two bathrooms, one men's and one women's, in the suburbs you can get away with one, but not none.

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Ron The Plumber

All commercial building they will be used as a business is required to have a bathroom, one toilet and a lav, does it have to be handicap, code here says if it is private use, then no, if it is public use open to the public, then yes it has to be handicap ready.

mickeyco

Is this store in a larger building that has common bathrooms?

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Some people climb mountains. I take out the trash. But we both do it for the same reason.

firemike

Bob's right. need way more info.

Is this an office building with common bathroom facilities available.

Is it open to the public?

Does he have employee(s)? If so, facilities generally must be provided.

You can get your question answered very quickly and accurately by calling the governing building department and asking an inspector. Codes vary from area to area so sometimes it is hard to give an accurate answer at all.

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-Mike-

AtlanticWBConst

.....Try looking this up in your local building code book....or even your local building inspectional services....

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Tom M

Ther IBC regulates this on gross lease tenant space, type of business or accessibility does not apply if this small 280sqft area is by itself. Is it a merchantile? or is it a business? is his office part of the gross leasable floor space? Is the retail section an accessory to the main occupancy (the office for example) or is the office a incidential use are? Many factors come into play? If merchantile its something like 1 bath for up to 25 people. (either sex) In Jersey we have the UCC which completely modififies the code and may impact the requirements. So you need to be aware of criteria, Jersey also has a rehab code that says if it wasnt there prior and isnt part of the rehab it can stay yet if you intend to move it, add it or fix it you need to bring it up to code. So know what your responsible for.

born2drv

I know I had to find out, just wondered if anyone ran into this situation before or if they were able to get an exemption since the space is so small.

It is part of a very large complex, that a theater occupies as the main tenant. the side/rear of the building has a bunch of small retail shops going all the way around, this small spot in particular was never remodeled into a retail store and I suppose this is the reason why, putting a bathroom takes up 25% of the space or so. It's not really an office and there is no community bathroom.

I did ask the city of Burbank and they said that it must have 1 bathroom minimum but I could petition for an exemption. I'll tell them I have permission to use the bathrooms in the theater but they said most likely that won't be allowed due to the fact you need to go out of the retail store and into another space. So anyhow I guess we'll see.

I attached a photo for you to see the type of property. It's the one with 15' frontage of all glass.

Thanks,
Yosef

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thom

There is an ADA forum on "Building Code Discussion Group" that can answer that question. You will need to register. Lots of good information is available. Check the archives before asking the question. I'm sure it has been dealt with before.

http://bcodes.infopop.cc/eve